FOOTBALL MATCH.

Patea Mail, Volume II, Issue 135, 26 July 1876, Page 2

FOOTBALL MATCH.

II AAV EH A AND WAIIII V. PATE A

Tiik football match, arranged to be played between the representatives of these townships, came off on*' Saturday last, on : the /ground of-the Eatea Football Club. The ' weather' could not have been more unfavorable, ns the wind blew with consider-, able violence all day from the south-east, and .necessarily -prcvcntcdi such examples of good play as would probably have been exhibited: had -the day ~ been : calm i and bright. The direction of..the wind, which was straight down the field, necessitated the change of goals every half-hour, inorder to prevent either side from gaining', an unfair advantage of Hie othcr.by having the wind in their favdr during the greater part:of the tgame.i ' The, captain of; ilia visitors 7 team worn the toss, air'd elected ,to kick with the wind for the first half-* 'hour,'and a'few minutes Before that time 1 •'had expired Air Bayly (their captain) ■scored a goal against Patea. Sides were, then’/changed, but despite all efforts tire locals team did not manage to make a goal. 'Half-time was called, anil a short adjournment'thou 'took - place-Refreshments ; after <which the* Opponents, .‘again ,g<jt to Their places;; the visitors/ plajdug with the windqbntup to the time bLchangmg.again thqy did not manage.to-score. The local ;tcaln then changed, over, but when time' (5 p.m.) was called, they had failed to put matters on a equal footing, and- consequently the visiting team, won by one-goal to none. It is remarkable that hot a single - -‘touch down” was -obtained for"either side. The visitors were universally acknowledged, to. have by far the strongest team as regards’weight and strength, but the local team had the advantage as far as suppleness and activity went. .