The morning call., 1893-03-26
FOOTBALL
Association Games Drawing to a
Close

Close.
Weather conditions on Sunday last were
unfavorable for outdoor sports, but did not
prevent the football enthusiast from indulg-
ing in his favorite pastime.
Central Park was somewhat muddy and
slippery for a good association game, but
the exhibition given by the Thistles and
Rangers was very satisfactory and exciting.
taking into consideration the conditions
under which it was played.
The Thistles had the best of the game
| from the outset. but the Rangers play
showed remarkable improvement on their
previous efforts. Lumsden of the Thistles
made his first appearance this season in the
| forward division Of his team and played an
| excellent game.
II is surprising that the Thistle team have
kept such an excellent player on the shelf so
long. and Lumsden will prove a very serv-
! iceable forward in the coming contest with
the Wanderers and Oakands.
A little hard practice on the part OF the
| Rangers will make them formidable Oppo-
| nents for the association cracks and there
may be some surprises before the season
| ends.
The Pacific Association Football League
have recOnsidered their vote against the
Wanderers, and peace now reigns at tile
! league headQuarterS.
The Thistle and Wanderer teams are
making active preparations for their San
Jose exhibition, which will take place aboot
April Is
The New Zealand Rugby Union will send
team to England next fall. which will
travel via San Francisco.
The New Zealanders will be strong at the
| association game, and negotiations are
| going forward to have the colonials meet
picked team of San Francisco Association
! fontballers.
Frank Gray of the Wanderers is con-
Quoting the negotiations. and he will
make an attempt 10 have the colonials here
| III time to open the association football
| season of 1884.
The outlook for the association games is
very encouraging and the league will yet be
a strong factor in the football world of the
| Pacific Coast
Arrangements have been completed with
| the Park Commissioners for a field to be
| set apart for the association players, and
| the San Francisco public will soon have an
| opportunity of witnessing the scientific
features of the game al Golden Gate Park.
These exhibitions win enable the public
TO see the association game in all its light
| and beauty and compare 1t with other So
called football" sports.
The league will meet on Friday, the 31st
| inst, when Secretary Mackillop will present
| his Aprl schedule of games for the Hilbert
| trophy.
AT Central Park to-day the Oaklanders
Will meet the Granite team and a good
| contest should ensue.
The Oakland boys are playing in great
! form and 1t is almost foregone conclusion
| that they will capture the game
At Oakland the Rovers will meet the
Ihistles, but this game will probably be
| postponed, as the Piedmont grounds have
been IN poor condition for some time aud are
unnl Tor athletic sports during wet weather,
! owing TO the maTshy nature of the soil
Ihe attendance OF ladies at the associa-
| tlon games is on the Increase, and many OF
| The fair sex are taking a keen interest in
| the athletic leather-hunters who are con-
testing for the Hilbert trophy.
The Thistle and Oakland teams ill be
| scheduled for the opening game next month,
| and this contest will be one of the most AK
! citing games of the series.
Ihe semi-hnal ties for the association
| challenge cup we're played in England re-
| Gently before %, 600 people at Trent Bridge.
AID the Wolverhamptoh Wanderers de-
feaied the famous Blackbu RoVers by two
| goals 10 one. all scored in the first half.
hardly expected was the draw which Ever
ton made with Preston North End Mt Shelf
| field, where p, 600 spectators were present.
A few weeks ago the North End had sue
cumbed to EYerton by bad play, but lis
eleven had since been strengthened, aud
| they were favOTites for the tie, In the first
nall Eyerton scored twice 10 Preston's nil
| In tie second half Preston, with the wind
| IN their favor eyened up the score
| An International Rugby tie was PLAYED at
Leeds between England and Scotland, and
| Scotland was victorious by eight points two
| dropped goals) to nothing. A. T.. Stoddart.
| Blaekheath, captained the EngIishmsp.
| while j. ID. Boswell was in the same posi-
| ton for the Thistle men.