Association Football.

Free Lance, Volume IV, Issue 200, 30 April 1904, Page 19

Association Football.

While sauntering aiound the playing arena at Miramar on Satuiday atteruoon, I could not but think that perfection in Association football, as far as Wellington is concerned, can never eventuate from such kind of pi actice as I then saw. Ten minutes of theory, followed by five minutes in masteiing the finer Rpints of the game, would turn out more capable exponents of the game in one season than will ever be seen forthcoming in a century from such practice as was indulged in on the Miramai flat on Saturday last. Theie is such a vast diffeience betwixt an Association and a Rugby forward that you could never expect a Rugby forward to become first-class by the style of practice which has been instrumental in turning out many a brilliant forwaid for the latter. I allude to the kick and a rush — follow the leather all over the field — on the ball—push-bish-bash — over the line style which was so noticeable on Saturday. The greatest sinners in this lespect were the Rovers' vanguard Ime. Time after time the Blues' defence cleared, but only to find that their attacking quintette had fallen back, a la Rugby, thus leaving the Diamonds' rearguard in a "monarch of all I survey" kind of position for fully three-quai ters of the game. Wingfield, who should strengthen the Rovers' attacking line, is not a centre forward. His play on Saturday does not warrant that description of him. The late Bristol player is undoubtedly above the average. From personal observation I should stamp him as an outside right or inside left. To play him with Murch, transfer Williams along with Fraser, and bring Boydl up as a pivot, is an arrangement well worthy of consideration by the Roveis' selection committee. If the Diamonds' forward rank can only retain the same dash, combined with an improvement in precise combination, the meeting on May 21st, when the St. Paul's "offspring" face the St. John's "idols," should prove a red-letter day in the 1904 programme. On paper, Swifts were bound to succeed against the V.M.C.A., but the latter went through that theory as easily as a fat man through thin ice. The winners have some very good material in their ranks. Thomson (half), Millar, and Airey (forwards) especially show great promise in the outfield.

McLean (goal) during the fiist half played a game of games. Time aftei time he turned aside what appeared in a maroon's eye "a dead cert." The victors — who were minus three of their intended first cleven — are a foiinidable lot, and will prove a thorn in the side of many of their opponents. Of the vanquished, White, Duff, Hill, and Kilgour were the only ones showing any lesemblance to senior form. Possibly as the season advances the rest will improve. If the Swifts aie intent upon reaching the senior League summit, moie vigour on the pait of the halves, and an absence of selfishness by the forward rank, are essential. Bang, brast and bustle, which being condensed, spells Queen's Park. In their friendly tussle with Pearls, the Blue and Whites were neither artistic nor were they scientific. I cannot agree with a follower of the oval ball, who accompanied me on Saturday. I like to see a man play the ball. To go for a man may be sometimes useful, still I prefer football. I like W. Mawson'b style of play, and I have seen nothing as yet to shake my admiration for him. But, he is gone, and artistic and scientific football, as far as the Parks weie concerned on Saturday, seems to have accompanied their late left-wing player. The Pearls were also at sea Pai don me ! In this case the Peai Is w ere at sea — on land. Funny ? Yes ,so was the play. One has heard so much of the Pearls as juniors that I anticipated gieat things. Still, that may come. I withhold further comments, and await developments. Possibly, the Pearls may surprise me. I hope so. I should say they are capable of doing bettei . They have grit, determination, and youth. All that is lacking is science, but that may come. I hope so. Exit Pearls! Enter Cunningham" How they (Pearls) will miss him. This player's talent has ceitamly been hid under a bushel if his showing on Saturday is any criterion. T expect great things from the new Diamond centre. He has height, weight, and speed. He passes with a piecisTon that brings up recollections of Mawson's perfection. His only weakness is in front of goal. Outside of this, I have no hesitation in branding the lengthy "Diamondite" as one of the most promising of our colonial-born socker "footballists." Compact and crafty with all the virility and assurance of youth, Cunningham, once he masteis the ait of shooting, bids fair to be the man of the future in the centre.

The Saints weie content with a modest practice among their own members. Their discretion may bring futuie success 'Tis not always wise to disclose one's hand. To do so before the gauntlet is tin own is double folly. The Rambleis mustered strongly, and a good afternoon's practice was indulged in. I was agreeably impressed by one — Clapham — who, I hear, hails from Stockton, or thereabouts. He plays with a confidence suggestive of talent equal to understanding any onslaught put forth by any of our first League forwards. His play was on a par with Amies at his best, and worthy of a place in any senior eleven. To-morrow (Saturday) will witness the opening of the "session." The tit-bit of the day will be the match Rovers v. Diamonds. That the season's prospects are exhilarating; no one can gainsay — eight senior, nine junior, and five third Leaguers ; a record in every class. Two hundred and forty-two followers of the round sphere, and that offer of a People's Park and Recreation Ground a* Miramar still being slept on bv the City Council' Phew"