Association Football.

Free Lance, Volume III, Issue 156, 27 June 1903, Page 23

Association Football.

The results of the two senior gaxneb, played at Miramax last Saturday, came as a surprise. Both winning teams came out with the fine total of five goals each. It would have been impossible to pick the winners at 3 o'clock, as the chances of the competing teams- were very even. Diamonds were without the valuable services of Fitzgerald in. goal, and his place was filled by Bert Swain, an untried man m that capacity. This gave Swifts rosy prospects of a win, which might have been averted had Fitzgerald been there to expel any intrusive shots, but, strange to say, Swain was only allowed to handle the ball three time during the whole course of the game. The odds were very much against Diamonds, the team having to face a stron- northerly wind, and their chance of victory when the whistle sounded to commence were very poor. The game, however, had not progressed very far before it was evident that Diamonds meant business. The defence of Diamonds was of a very high oualit". The judgment exercised by the half-backs was mainly responsible for the attacks of their forwards and defence of their opponents. The front rank was working in perfect order. Low passing formed the feature of the game, but this is only meant to ar '" to Diamonds, as bwitts were totally disorganised. Surprise was written large ut>on the beaming countenances of the Diamond team at the conclusion of the game. This surprise was shared by everyone who witnessed the game. Duffy was the hero of the day. Young also gave a very good exhibition for a young player. Smith is the only player of Swifts who merits mention. The otheis all, without execution, played poorly. Their defeat may be attributed to high kicking. It was anticipated that Queen's Park would make things lively for St. John's, and, having a London leftw inger in the team — said to be a good man — brightened the chances of the Parks. They were unfortunate in losing the toss, and the Saints made the most of their opportunities with the wind, registering five goals in rapid succession. First blood was drawn within three minutes of the beginning of the game. The Mowat brothers were the shining lights in the front rank of St. John's. They both dribble and centre well, and Andy especially is not easily coaxed to release his hold of the ball. Amies gave a very good exhibition. Being a powerful kick, he affords his forwards every opportunity to obtain possession of the ball. Bert Olark and Bert Martin had plenty to do in the first spell in repelhng attacks, and they w ere called upon perhaps more than in any previous match. Bert Clark took a penalty kick awarded his side through an infringement by Amies. The ball, however, lodged safely in the arms of Irons, the goal-keeper." The goal-keeper came out his six ards from the goal-line, which materially assisted him to save the shot. Rovers had a very easy win over Petone, at Newt own. Park. The suburban team was somewhat similar to that of the previous Saturday, and played a hard same against big odds. Fraser and Frank Williams scored a goal each in the first spell, and Williams also notched another in the second spell. The ground was in good order, and i very fair game resulted. Renai brothers- were the mainstay of the Petone team. The youthful members of the team also showed up pluckily. I have come to learn of several resignations from the Referees' Association —the result of some remarks made by a contemporary concerning the leferees' duties with the goal-line. Reading the paragraph in question, I fad to see any accusations made against leterees of the W.F.A. It is only a comment b" the writer on the duties ofieferees and linesmen concerning the poal line. They have presumably, judging by their action, fitted on a cap°which was ne-ver meant for them to wear. Referees are oui 'white-haired" boys, and the sacrifices which they make Saturday after Saturday to control our games, are deserving of our waimest thanks. I cannot see why the Association should suffer because a wntei has written something which some reieiecs take exception to. Why are the other referees not le«ignin'g? Surely, their position as brother referees must have been equally

affected, and whence this division in the camp ? The pity is that the W.F.A. suffers through a matter which it is not resnonsible for. The resignation of Mr. C. A. Laurence as secretary of the Refeiees' Association is also a matter of regret, but m his stead there has been elected a man who w ill do full justice to the position. Mr. Alf. Williams is not i new hand at secretarial w ork for the Association game For a number of yeais he was the hard-working junior secretary, and during that time he did much to promote the interests of the game. * * * A special meeting of delegates, convened to revise the by-laws of the game, was well attended. As anticipated, there were some protracted discussions attunes on lnrnoitant proposed alterations Follow ing are a few of the most important alterations — Should an-"- appellant feel dissatisfied with the decision of the Management Committee, he may make application through the Management Committee to have his case heard before am Appeal Board, which shall consist of three impartial persons appointed by the Wellington Football Association. All appeals must be accompanied by a fee of os which will be returned if the Board thinks fit. All delegates must vote upon impoitant questions when called upon to do so bv the chairman. The age-limit for the third-class competitors was fixed at twenty-one years, and that of the District Boys' Competition at sixteen years. A proposal to abolish thei age-limit of the former was defeated. Players may be tiansferred fiom one club to another before the conclusion of the first round subject to the permission of the W.F.A.