Association Football.

Free Lance, Volume II, Issue 103, 21 June 1902, Page 6

Association Football.

A gieat surprise took place in the Old Boys-St John's game at Miiamai, on Saturday The Old Boys were in great turn, and won the game on their ments St John's made a big fight but their efforts were frustrated bv the stubborn defence of Old Boys Fitzgerald did not have much to do m his capacity as goal-keeper In the first, spell he achieved nothing. In the second he had some stiff thots and saved all and sundry Earle was a Trojan at full-back. He tackles well and is a strong kick but has one fault ,and a serious one too in indulging in high kicking ' Ted" Gamble is not such a strong kick as his mate, but he ahwu s manaoed to get his kick in.

Angus played a sterling defensive s game, and stemmed attacks frequently. Ho backs up his foi wards well, but kept too neiai lire forwards on Saturday when, he should have been back on the defence [ McKeowen. and Gamble also got in some good work. Tn fact, the whole back division weie woiking a systematic defensive game. The forward division could not make any headway in the 1 second spell, owing to the wet weather and prevalent w ind , In fact, the day was wholly unsuited for [ playing football, and instead of being a pleasure it was one of discomforts Two-hill, aSt Pat's College player, found his way amongst the Old Boys' forwards, ajid played a game woithv of his previous reputation as a "soccei" player Smith, his wing mate, was aiso in good form, and carried out hisi former feaits of scoring a goal each successive Saturday. ELhe, who appeared for the second time, did good service, and materially affected the result of the game. Gibbs, in the centre, did some very useful work, but should shoot more when in front of goal and not hesitate. MoLeod gives one the impression of selfishness. Individualism must give way to combination, and combination is the keynote to the «ucoess of any team . Kober. in goal for St. John's, had not much to 'do, amd the two shots which passed him he had no chance of saving From Amies much might have been expected, owing to hi® fast-grow-ing reputation, but on Saturday McLeod and Ellis "got all oveT him." McWhanneil who was playing with an injured hand, played an excellent game, and put m some useful work. George Williams is .steadily improving in his style of play, and is likely to make a good player, of w hich I formerly was very dubious ''Dick" Nagle played a typical halfback game, and knows how to utilise the ball on a wet day by keeping it low Morrison and Mouat were woikm<* well together, but McKeowen and McLeod w atched and checked any tendency to dangerous, play Morii&on got m some good centres but they w ere ineffectual Brodie' pla/\ ed capitally in the centre and, in mv opinion, would be the best centre fon\ ard in Wellington if he would use moie dash and shoot a little more Smelhe was given no chance to distinguish himself In the second spell the ball was kept continually on the other wing, w hich was a great mistake for St .John's, considering the "way of the wind." The Diamond tea,m journeyed out to Petone, only to be disappointed. The ground was unfit to play on and covered m parts with water. The disappointed ones, however, were treated to an exceptional sight in seeing the ground covered with .seagulls Rovers suffeied another defeat at the hands of Swifts, who were playing a game of determination. The first round of the senior championsilup concluded on Saturday, and has been one of keen competition and full of surprises. The only breaks in the results of the first round are the Queen's Park v. Old Boys match, which was ordered to be re-played, and Diamond Pelone, yet to be played The following i« the correct position of olubs in the senior championship — St. John's 8 points. Swifts 7 t>omt% Manst Old Boys and Queen's Park (> points each o points, Diamonds 3 points, and P. c 2 points. Old Boys axe to lose the valuable services of Smith, owing to his Saturday afternoon holiday giving uay to Wednesday. His lo«s will be a serious one to his club, and a hard one to repair. Diamonds have been missing the unfepareable services of Roberts, their fullback, who has beeu laid aside for some three weeks with sickness. The Rovers' Club had hold of a good playei in one McColl, but his services could not be secured for matches, owing to private work occupying his attention on Sat/urday afternoons. Bv the last mail I noticed the name of his brother selected to play in a charity game foi the sufferers in the recent Ibrox Park disaster It is now announced that the attendance at the recent England and Scotland match was 68,114. The gate receipts realised £3133, the stands bringing in £1731 By last mail we are informed that the English Football Association are considering a charge that an attempt had been made to bribe the Aston Villa '■ players in an English league match of the Second Division I notice that it is rumoured in London circles that 2 Kirwan, the Ang-lo-Irish internationalist, and Tottenham Hotspur crack outside left, is likely to apear in the Glasgow Celtic next season havinar been promised £100 for sistningtm and the maximum wage.