Association Football.

Free Lance, Volume VI, Issue 268, 19 August 1905, Page 20

Association Football.

After a spell of practically three weeks, senior league matches were continued at Maraniar last 'Saturday. Soccer enthusiasts have not had a pleasant tune of it this season bo far, as otn most occasions that matches have been pLayed a gale of wind, or heavy raun, has mitigated against good piay being shown. Saturday was no except-on to the rule, as a very windy day was again experienced, and, as a result, the play was not as good as it would' have beein had the weather been more propitious. However, a fair crowd of specrbaitors were present, and their interest was maiinly centred! in the game between Diamonds and' Queen's Park. Of .course, under the caroumstamiceß, goodi scientific play was out of tihe question, but individual play was shown all right. On many occasions this season Queen's Park 'have been, unfortunate m not being able to place a full team in the field, and the same thing happened last Saturday, as they played ome short. In this case, however, I think the management of the olub had only themselves to blame, as I fancy they were truistinig too much to a oour)le of new men who bad joined! the club and who failed to put in an appearance. Haiming was left out of the team, why lam unable to say. lam afraid I have a better opinion of the capabilities of this i>layer than the "Parks" hiave. and it certainly seems to in© that he has not been at all well treated, as he has been shifted to different positions in the forward line, and therefore' has not been able to do himself justice in his games. Another thing that struck me m watching the game was the poor use made of the wind bv some of the players on both sides, and, as a oomsequenice, the ball went over the line oftener thlan it should have been allowed to had the ptarv been kept more' on the right wing when runming with the wind. Possibly a goal <xr two might have been scored. To mv mind, Mawson (Queen's Park) and Reddv (Diamonds), both leftwing forwards, were given too much to do, and, as a result, the right wing, more often than not, was negflected. Those who did use the wind to advantage were Olapham and Jonesi for Parks, and W. Roberts, Thorley, and 1 at times Taylor for Diamonds. I have had occasion once* or twice thlrouigh tihe Lance to diraw attention to rough play shown by one or two of the Diamond players in their matches. I am mot aware if the referee who acted on Saturday is a readier of these notes, a/nd thus had due notice t!hat rough play might b» shown, but anyhow he gjave me the opinion of being in a very htrict mood indeed.

I notaced that jumping and jostling with the elbows — a very bad habit with playens by the way — was promptly penalised by a free-kick being awarded to the opposaiag sade, and, agaan, tallkafltig, whaoh at times has been quit© a feature of the Park's play, was almost entirely avoidled by this team. Queeax's Park were strengthened by tthe return of the New Zealand players Olapham, Mawson, and' Jones (who has thrown in his lot with thus club), and Diamiondls had Joe Taylor andl Fitzgerald back again. Even with the return of these- redloubtables, nedther team was able to score a goal, so a draw was the result. For Parks, Penlingtoni managed to bitop the shots sent in ta him, but he intvariably lost the ball through nab taking cleanly, and must have, at times, caused the supporters of the dub many anxious moments. Olapham played a great igame at full-back and, as only one baok was played, came out of the contest wath flying colouirs. He ooaxld not have played better and his long kicks with the wind were a very great help to has side. B. Jones, left half, gave me the impression of being the best half in tlhe game, and did a lot of fine work. B. Clark also showed up well at times, but is not the Clark of old. Mawson, of course, was the best of the forwards, and made several splendid rums, but I thought at times he dtaubbled the ball too far down the lime before centreing. However, he put in mniumerable shots with no luck to has side. Sharkey at times put in sarnie nice dribbles, but this style of play was hardly suited foir the day. He and Davidson, however, were to a great extent neglected during the first spell. Fitzgerald, in goal for Diamonds, also gave me the impression of being none too safe at times. He appeared to be going in f oir speculators too much, a habit no doubt gained on the fast New South Wales grounds. Roberts and Overend played fine games at baok, the latter, to my mind, being the best of the two. Taylor played a good game at cemtre-haflf, and it is hard to understand! his loss of form wihilst on the New Zealand tour in New South "Wales. Thorley also played well. Burbush was again drawn on, and made a brilliant dribble fully half the lemgtih of the field. He, however, finished up by kicking the ball over the goal bar. a result probably dive to the fact that he was playing in ordinary boots. This player is quite good enough for the senior team, and! it appeairs to me that the Management Committee of the W.F.A. should' have refused him a transfer to tihe junior ranks.

Reddy made several nice dribbles up the line, one being exceptionally good, and ne also icentred well. Duffy is improving every game, and does not crowd iiis iaasade man as he used' toi do. Cunnnngham, Hodges, and' D. Roberts also all worked hard. * * w Rovems played Swifts B, and, with more luok than they deserved, worn, the game by three goals to two. It was not a brilliant exhibition by any means, although some good mdivdd'ual form, was shown. Webster stopped a lot of shots for Rovers, but had no dbamee with the first goall scored, whiidh he was uiniable to get to. Renai and Martan played about their worst games this season. Reynolds was the beat of the halves, and Wilkams, C. O'Sbea and Ellis of the forwards. Salmon played his best game so far this season with Swifts, and had inniumeirable shots to dear. Elsan had a day off, and gave Rovers their winning goal by mas-kicking the ball through, his own goal. Perks played a fine game at oemtrehalf, 'and fed his forwards well. He is well worth his place in the "A" team of this club. Both Butterworth and Churchward <also did all that was expected of them well. Of the forwards, Mickle and Guise showed up best, the latter scoring as his share a very fine goal. By tne way, Swifts have informed me that- Bert Swain, the old Duainond player, refereed in a very exeeHient manner indeed. IVLy coagratulauions to you, Bert, on showing suoh good promise. * « • The iremaining senior game was that played between Swuits .a. an<<H "iLM.U.A. The matou does not call tor much, commemt, as Swifts won by six goals to ml. However, it must be stated tihat ie .M.C. A. played two men snort, and, besides uiiiia, >had to draw on one or two of their juniors, so, taking timings all in all, they must be congratulated! on setting up such a good fight, especially as Swifts are now playing in tne f oxtm one expects this club to show. White was very safe at Ml-back for Swjfts, al'tihougii he and not have a great amount of work to do. Ihiitt got tared of doing nothing in fends position, and weaufc up forward, where' (he worked hjaird. Waddeil was too superior for his opponents, and played a fine game. He at last broke nas epell or bad luck, and shot a goal. I fancy he has a few stored up now for future occasions, so look out, goal-keepers. Hawkins also elbowed up well at right half. Among the forwards, Barry was probably the best, and scored two goals. He will, no doubt, now keep his place run the team, as he is still showing improved form for has tlhtu-di senaar game. Jack Muir and Anker also did well, and worked very hard. The outstanding feature of the game so far as V.M.C.A. arc concerned) was the goal-keeping of Burns. Certainly he let six goads past him, but then it must be remembered that he had no one to back him up, and, aigaim, four of the goals were wedl-nigh impossible chances. I grant that he should have stopped WadS'elPs goal, burb, any way, he has probably learnt from that score that speculators are best left alone. Talking his play all through this season, he must stand a very good chance indeed of being considered for representative honours, and the way he has kept his form after an absence of four years from the game is truly remarkable.