FOOTBALL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 7938, 29 September 1905, Page 2

FOOTBALL.

Till': ASSOCIATION CJAMK. TAIUNAKI TIE WITH WKLUNGf TON. The visit ol representative teams has done much . to encourage the ".soccer" game in this district, and the good showing made by the Taianaki men this season is most praiseworthy. Considerable interest was manifested, in tilt visit of a Wellington team, which arrived on Wednesday evening,' and a lair crowd of spectators jiut in an appearance on the Recreation Ground on Thursday afternoon to witness their match against a Taianaki combination, which iucludtd representatives from the two city teams, also Waitara and Inglewood. Despite the disadvantages of a keen wind at intervals, and a slippery ground as the result of the. late rains, the match was one of the best exhibitions of the "soccer" game witnessed at New Plymouth. The local men were determined lo uphold Taranaki's reputation in the football world, and met doughty opponents in the visitors. From start to finish the playwas fast, and the contest keen. On the start Taianaki were Hie first away, and, within, ten minutes of the start a goal was headed through by C. Wilson. Encouraged by their success, the red jerseys kept things willing for some time, hut then the Wellingtoniaiis gave,a taste of their quality by assuming the. attack and keeping the local men mainly on the defensive until half-time. The second spell saw some fine exchanges, and there was not a great deal to choose between the two teams, though Wellington showed superior combination. It appeared as if the visitors, clean out of luck in their onslaughts at goal, were to return to Wellington with a defeat against them, but within two minutes of the call of time A. Mouat scored a goal and equalised matters, the game;ending one all. The visitors showed themselves a fast, clever combination, playing with judgment and placing the ball in fine style. As indicated, however, they were very unlucky in not scoring, ttiough all credit must be given to the Taianaki "reps." for their admirable defence. On the whole, it must be considered that Wellington were the better all-round team, though individually several of our players quite held their own at all joints.

Taianaki's forward division was hardly as strong as it could be made. The inside men, Wilson, Schofield and Acklom, worked together,, and put In sonic nice work, but the wings, Dugdale and R. Anibury, worked without much judgment, though energetically. The half-backs were only moderate, Lister, in the centre, who had a 10l ol hard work put his way, being perhaps the best of tlie three. Hartley and Rcid found Hie opposition a" 1 ttlc too good. Clark (captain-) ajid Bullock, the full-backs, were up to their best form, and constituted one ol the team's mainstays. Frost gave a really good display as goal-keeper, and cleverly stopped some dangerous shots.

There was no weak spot in the Wellington forwards, who played a great game, the two Mouats" anil P. Pye-Smith being conspicuous. H would be difficult to difTerentiate between Smith, Retiai and Sparrow at half-back, as each performed his, share in convincing style. Duff, at lull-back, was one of the most reliable men on the field. Mr Riddles was an efficient referee. In the evening the visitors Were entertained at a dinner at the Red House Hotel.

A Wellington wire reports that in £'spons-e to an urgent request bv the I less Association to supply prompter and fuller reports of the New &aand team s matches, the Australian' Cable Association has agreed to do ouiekiP m tlK ' y " Wi " niakc ,h « qutcke-st possible arrangements to secure what is asked, though it mav not be practicalllc to carry (his into match co "" cctlon with to-day's