Association Football.

Free Lance, Volume III, Issue 115, 13 September 1902, Page 24

Association Football.

By Centre Forward.

WELLINGTON Y. OfAGO. For the first time since 1892, Otago has defeated Wellington at Association football. lam not prepared to say that the standard of play has improved in either province since that date, but, looking at Wellington's exhibition on the Cansbrook ground, Dunedin, on Saturday, one would be inclined to pity rather than blame their ignorance of the fine points of the game. Even in the rough they do not excel, and combination was entirely lacking, hence the sorry exhibition. From the practice game indulged in on the Friday afternoon prior to the match, it was apparent that lack of combination would be the weakness of the team, and it resulted as anticipated. The back division, especially the two full-backs worked hard, and played lwell. That Otago ought to have won is beyond a doubt. In fact, it is a wonder they did not score more goals. The goal-keeper was in excellent trim, and his saves were hard, but ably executed. Otago out-classed Wellington in every department of the game save . goal-keeping. Their head work was a distinctive feature of the game, their passing accurate, and wild kicking was scarce. The backs played the ball to their forwards perfectly. A striking contrast, indeed, to the work of the Wellington team. • ♦ * The score of three to one is fairly indicative of the nature of the game. Otago enthusiasts aver that the play of their team on Saturday was fifty r>er cent, lower than it should have been. If so, Wellington has suffered a defeat which could have been doubly as heavy. • • • The attendance was very fair and the Mornington Band was in attendance to soothe the sorrow that may have crept among our representatives. Fitzgerald played one of his best games, and was, m fact, faultless. His many saves were the subject of much applause, and he certainly justified his inclusion in the team. • » * White was the best back on the ground, even outshining Dodson, who is considered the best back in New Zealand, but who' was not up to his usual form on Saturday so I am told. Renai t>laved such a good game that it is highly probable that Amies himself could not do better. His only fault •was in his- high kicking. Nagle was, to use a strong term, pretty nearly a frost, the clever head work of his opposing forwards simply paralysing him. Renai was expected to do much, but sadly failed. On some few occasions he managed to get the ball, but on the •whole his inclusion did not benefit the team. Taylor was very fair, but not up to the scratch, and the alteration of his position from the centre to the wing, in my opinion affected his play. Brodie disappointed many. His passing was inaccurate, and he spoilt many dangerous rushes by passing the ball to his front instead of along the line. Morrison did not get the ball too often, but when he did get it he made good use of it. He had hard luck in the first half in not s6oring.