Association Football.

Free Lance, Volume IV, Issue 164, 22 August 1903, Page 23

Association Football.

For the first time for a long while the playing grounds at Miramar were under water last Saturday. The Weather Committee had no hesitation in postponing the matches and their decision met with general approval. The Wellington Football Association are anxious to have fine weather for the semi-finals and final for tne Chanty Cup competition, in order to enable them to supplement the funds, as they are making a collection from the spectators who attend these matohes. The two semi-finals to be played on Saturday — Rovers v. Queen's Paik and St. John's v. Diamonds — should prove interesting games, and be very evenly contested. Queen's Park ought to score a win over Rovers, and Diamonds, if at all fortunate, should defeat St. John's. For the final, I tip Diamonds to again win the Cup. * * • Having followed the play of the players Ijkely, to be selected, I make bold -to publish a represent ative team. The team whioh played at Masterton is no criterion of the eleven to , fight against' either Auckland or Otago at Wellington, on the 10th and 12th September. For the responsible position of goalkeeper, there , can only be but one claimant. Id Fitzgerald we possess a sound exponent of the position. He stands head and shoulders above his rivals, and must be given the custody of the uprights. For the defence we are fortunate in possessing plenty of material. The selection will, therefore, be a difficult one. Roberts, Amies, White, and Renai are all confident of selection. As only two are wanted. I must drop out two, and Roberts and, Renai, m my opinion, must give way to the others, for this season, at any rate. To the most important position on the field, the selector will, no doubt, first turn his attention. Paton, McWhannel, Taylor, the Clark brothers, and Renai are ponular nominees for the respective positions at half-back. Paton has seen his best day. and I am afraid his chances, like McWhannel's, are very remote. McWhannel is the better of the two. For centre-half, Taylor and Bert. Clark are ready to take the position, but the selector shall decide whether Clark is better than Taylor. In my opinion, Clark must be selected. L. Renai on the right wing, and A. Clark on the left -wing, with Bert Clark in the centre, would fill the halfback positions satisfactorily. In the forward division there should be many changes before it is a presentable For centre-forward, Brodie is well in the running but I have in my mind's eye a player who should render a good account of himself. This player must be included in the team , he cannot be left out. I refer to W. Mowat. Being a brother of Andy's, he is thoroughly acquainted with his style of play. He is a good scoring man, and passes well. If given a trial in this new position, I feel confident he will give a good account of himself. • For the left-wing, Mawson and Mowat are easily first. They should show their Northern and Southern opponents how to play the game. Being matched against such stubborn backs as the visitors will bring, they ought to play a pretty game, and one well worth going to the Park to witness. The right-wing brings with it a change. DufFy, who has given a very fair exhibition of his abilities as a wing man, must, in my opinion, give way to two players, who will play the game hand-in-han.d, or rather foot-to-foot. Philips 1 is one I nominte. He is a pushing sort of a forward. He passes frequently and is a deadly shot. The player I should like to see associated with him would be Frank Williams.