Association Football.

Free Lance, Volume IV, Issue 161, 1 August 1903, Page 25

Association Football.

The game between Rovers and Diamonds proved an important one to all interested in the senior championship, as the result in Rovers ; favour would entitle them to meet St. John's in a final match to decide the ownership of the shield for 1903 season. St. John's were anxiousi for Diamonds to make a win, or even a draw of the game, so as to prevent the possibility of Rovers disputing their rights as ohampions for this season. The unsatisfactory result of the game — a drawn one — gives St. John s> the right to the title of the champion "soccer" team in Wellington. Their play is of a type that should be an example to other teams. They have infused life into the game. They have made their appear-ance felt, and their opponents on the football field have been obliged to do their very best. They made their first appearance last season, and showed the other teams how the game should be played. The combination displayed by their vanguard broke through all opposing defence, and they won with honour the senior shield. They have captured the coveted honour again this season, and they are deserving of congratulation on all sides, for their scientific and hard fought games. • • * The game which was the means of deciding the championship; — Diamonds v. Rovers — was not a brilliant exposition. A strong southerly gaile plays havoc with football. Rovers were determined to make a win of the match, and it was apparent that several of the Diamonds did not exert themselves to avert defeat. However, several of the Diamond backs played sterling games, and] thus staved off dangerous invasions. Fitzgerald is rather partial to long shots, and he i\as given enough to suit his taste. Had not a man of his qualifications been between the uprights, Rovers must have won by a substantial margin. Rovers adopted a good method in long shooting, and had Diamonds done likewise when it was favoured with the wind, I am afraid the test would have been too severe for Machin. One long shot by Godber was responsible for Rovers' first goal. In endeavouring to save, by a flying kick, Roberts misjudged the ball, which, gliding from his foot, escaped the vigilance of Fitzererald. The score then stood one all. But soon after Rovers score, the Diamond vanguard, headed a dashing rush up the field, and, by a clever piece of work, Hathaway was enabled to score a second goal for his side. By a mis-kick of Patons, Reynolds and O'Shea obtained the ball from Duffy, who secured Patons pass. They speedily transferred the ball to Williams, who took the ball well down the field, and. passing to O'Shea, the latter scored. The tactics of Frank Williams in running back with the ball is play unworthy of imitation. He is undeniably tricky with both feet and head but the habit of losing ground detracts from all his good qualities. The game ended a drawn one — two goals each. On the day's play, Diamonds were the better team, despite the indifference of some of its members. Rovers made a plucky fight, but were out-classed in the abilities of their opposing backs. * * * St. John's had a comparatively easy win over Pe/tone. The suburbanites, m consequence of St. John'si winning tlhe toss, were on the defence nearly all of the first half. Playing with the wind, St. John's managed to score six goals against Pe~ tone's nil. In the second half, Pc-

tone scored two, and St. John's added another one, making their score seven goals. The two Renais showed up very conspicuously in the Petone defence and Humphreys in the forward rank was responsible for some rushes up the field and managed to notch a goal on one occasion for his side. Nagle, Brodie, and Mowat brothers were up and down the field repeatedly. Nagle was placing the ball well for his forw ards, and considerably helped them to score. He registered two goals himself. Brodie and A. Mowatt also obtained two goals each. The Swifte-Queen'si Park heat did not adduce any exciting play, Naughton registered the first goal, and Smith, for Swift®, equalised soon after. Another shot, by Taylor, hit the cross-bar, and spoilt the chances of a win for Queen's Park. The game ended in a draw — one goal apiece. * * * Unless sometliing unforeseen! happens, Pearls should win the junior league competition. Diamonds, who were considered to be well in the running, lost two points through playing an unregistered player in a previous game. **■■"■ A team from Wellington will leave next Thursday to play a game with Masterton. I cannot give the personnel of the team, as the day is inconvenient for the majority of those who would be given preference.