The San Francisco call., 1909-10-10
BY BOB SHAND

Inc soccer football players got OH
to bad start last Sunday, when the
various grounds were soaked with the
rain of Saturday. With ,the exception
Of the Alameda field, which is invari-
ably in good condition, the playing
pitches were soggy and altogether
against fast exhibition OF the round
ball game. No great surprise was oc-
casioned at the result of the games,
as the fans had the teams pretty well
sized up. The defeat of the United
Caledonians at the feet of the Bar
barians was to be expected. as the
Scots had just organized and the boys
had few opportunities to practice team
work.
The Barbarians have great team
this year.
The game at Freeman's park between
the Thistles and the Vampires was
comely exhibition of the soccer code
and the big gathering that attended
the festivities had lots of opportunities
to enthuse. The Thistles' team was
considerably changed from last season,
both of the old reliable fullbacks,
Smith and Gore, being absent from
the lineup. Their places were taken
by Waeber late of the Hornets, and
Shanks, but neither of the men showed
form worthy of their predecessors.
The halfbacks were all to the good.
Watson, late of the Building Trades
team. being especially valuable. The
Scots have made capture in this
player, and he bids fair to get his
place on the team which will repre-
sent California against British Co
lumbia for the championship of the
coast. The forwards did not seem to
grasp the combination idea and were
frequently brought UP short by the op-
posing halves. Scott, at outside left,
played his usual consistent game and
was easily the pick of the advance
quintet Mclaughlin. who formerly
played for the Albion Rovers. was
good center Forward, but the others
failed to live up to their regulations.
Duncanson, who played so many SEN
satfonal games last season, was not up
to standard and will have to show a
whole lot more speed. Z. p. McRitchie,
well known as custodian of the goal for
the Hornets, climbed into Thistle uni
form and did all that was asked of him
between the sticks.
The Vampires have clever team this
year and it will take a good eleven to
beat them. The Downie brothers, on
the left wing, are nifty footballers, and
with Symes and Davidson on the right
and Bernard in the middle to steady
them. should make a dangerous line of
attack. The left wing did the most
work last Sunday, but the boys who at
displayed ability which can be used
more judiciously in future games.
Frank Bernard. in the role of center
forward, gave a good display and un-
Jack Mckenzie will no doubt do credit
to the Alameda team.
The halfbacks, Swain. Bradshaw and
Lee can hold their own with the best
in the business. Swain and Lee played
with the team last year and lived up
toi their regulations last Sunday. Mid
dleton and Hunter, at fullback. are as
reliable as of yore and the Vanps do
not have to look further for capable
pair of defenders. McFarlane, in goal,
is recognized as the premier custodian
of the league, and did all that was
asked of him.
The Independents were expected to
beat the san Francisco lads, but had
to hustle to get the long end of the
score. The best of the Independents
were members of the old guard and
with the addition of a few younger
men to fill in. Jones' team will be hard
to beat. The San Francfscos have a
whole lot to learn about accurate shoot
ing and until they master this point of
the game their efforts will avail them
little.
The United Caledonians looked very
much like the Scotias when they lined
up against the Barbarians at the sta
dunn and they did not play much bet
ter than the Scots did last season.
There appeared to be lack. of har-
mony in the movements of the play
ers. but this should be remedted by
practice. The Barbs have a strong
team. with Harry Elliot as a capable
leader. and the opposing goal keepers
will have to be on the outlook for fast
shots with the Rarb'S forwards shoot
ing as they know how to.