The San Francisco call., 1907-01-21

INDEPENDENTS AND
VAMPIRES PLAY
TIE GAME

ALAMEDA, Jan. 2o.-Strenuosity was
test between the Vampires and Inde-
pendents, and as an exhibition of de-
termination it was the best game of
the season. The standing OF the teams
is at present slightly complicated on
account of the unions action in sus-
pending the Hornet Club for two
weeks. Whether the Hornets will be
forced to forfeit the points which
would have been at stake in their next
stake games has yet to be decided by
the league officials. On account of this
uncertainty todays game was in the
nature of a battle for the champion
ship, for if the league decide against
the Hornets the laurel wreath will
fall to either the Vampires or the In
dependents.
1t was some time after the adver-
tised hour for the KICKOFF before the
festivities were commenced. but when
once the teams got under way the
spectators forgot about the delay and
rooted with all the vim of socker fans
for their favorite team. And the open
ing certainly gave promise of great
doings. In the first few minutes both
sides came close to scoring and only
magnificent defensive work kept the
eager lOTWdIQ lines dl DdS. Alc IlONE
ment of the Vampire forward quintet
rwas rather disconnected because of
overanxiety. and when they looked
most dangerous the punching of the
forwards in front of the goal relieved
their opponents of worry. Wright, who
has played so many good games at out
side right, was absent from the team
today and his accurate crosses were
missed by his confreres
10
Fay tried McFarlane with shot which
would have beaten most goalkeepers,
but the alert McFarlane was ready and
cleared in marvellous fashion. 1t was
nip and tuck for quite a while after
this, but gradually the superior com
bination work of the wearers of the
green began to tell and the Vamps
were confined to their own quarters
Something in the way of a huge
bunch of luck fell to the wearers of
the bat emblem when McFarIane mis-
judged a hard shot, and the ball. re-
bounding from the corner of the post
dropped directly in front of his
charge. T. Fay was lying in readiness
and returned the sphere with rocket
like velocity but to his chagrin it hit
one of the posts and rebounded into
play. 1t was a lucky escape for the
Vampires, and their numerous support
ers again took an interest in life. Dur
ing the remainder of this period the
Indies showed much the best form and
they were unlucky not to register a
score.
There was nothing but Vampires TO
the second half, and but for an occr=
sional breakaway by the Fay brothers,
assisted by Jones, the Indies were kept
on the defensive throughout. Symes.
the Vampire center forward, who
gained such a great reputation by
scoring four goals against the San
Franciscos last week, failed to show
today. He had several chances. but
lost his head in front of goal and
spoiled many openings made by his
team mates. Pegg, the Independent
custodian, who was never rated as a
first-class man, arose to the occasion
and turned innumerable dangerous
shots aside. Until the finishing whistle
the defenses proved impregnable and
when peace was proclaimed no damage
had been done.
Peterson was several towers of
strength to the Vampire back division
and was ably backed up by Middleton.
Gregg played well at half back and
Lee was the best of the forwards. Rob
ertson spoiled an otherwise good dis
play by trying fancy stunts. which he
was not capable of performing. Pegs
Highett and the Fay brothers were
best for the Indies. The teams:
yampires-McFarIane Middleton Peterson
Drury. Gregg. Hunter Lee, Barnard Symes,
Robertson and Massie-
Independents-Pegg Souter, Godfrey, Highett
Anderson, Duncanson, Jones, E. Fay, Cunning
ham, T. Fay and Balmain.
Referee. EeWSter