NOTES ON SPORT.

Slowly but surely a great change is coming over Association football.

It is especially noticeable in this district and the game is gaining by the change. For our own part we welcome the new development, and can confidently assert that we are not alone in so doing. The mad rush for Scotch professionals is nearly over, principally owing to the recognition of professionalism in Scotland, and more attention is now being paid to local talent.

Look at the Aston Villa for instance. They have never played better than they are now doing, and there are only four Scotchmen in the team Groves, Dunning. Baird. and Cowan - and the latter may almost be claimed as a local man. He was a fine young player when he came over the border and has since developed into one of the best centre half backs in the country. Such a Scotchman as he is a credit to any team, and it may safely be said that he has his club’s interest as much at heart as any player born in the district could have.

Nor do we wish to say anything that could be taken as detrimental to Groves, Baird, and Dunning, for the trio are grand players, and have had quite as much to do with their club’s present success as their comrades. It must not be forgotten, also, that Scotchmen have been associated with the Villa since its commencement, and have taken a prominent part in the building up of the club.

In the field Archie Hunter, Andy Hunter, George Ramsay, Charlie and Fergus Johnston have rendered incalculable services: whilst in its councils Mr. W. McGregor and Mr. W. Margoschis have worked splendidly.

The names we have mentioned must always be held in the honour and respect in which they now are. It will, therefore, be seen that it is a principle that we are criticising - the principle of importing Scotch players to the exclusion of those at home.

The managers of clubs are now fully alive to this fact [using local players], and in this district, at least, every encouragement is being given to local youths.

And what is the result?

A better feeling prevails between the senior and junior clubs. Several instances proving this have occurred recently. Instead of selfishly guarding their players, clubs have actually recommended promising youngsters to the Villa committee for a trial, and the’ youths themselves have tried their utmost to acquit themselves creditably.

It is to be hoped that a continuance of these friendly relations will be maintained, and that it will be the ambition of every young footballer to take his place in the ranks of the senior club in his district.

For our own part we shall gladly welcome the day when Aston Villa and the other Midland clubs take the field with teams composed entirely of local players.

The Villa certainly deserved their victory at Perry Barr, for they were far and away the better team, and the score of two goals to nothing is scarcely representative of the difference between the elevens.

It can be urged in excuse that the North End were without the brothers Ross, who have rendered such yeoman service for their club; but it must be remembered that the Villa were without Reynolds, who is just now suffering from a severe cold.

His place was filled by Fred Burton, and right well did that player acquit himself. He sticks to his work with great determination and never knows when he is beaten. As was aptly re-marked, he is “a perfect terrier,” and his play forcibly reminds one of his brother Jackey, who was one of the hardest working half-backs who ever donned the Villa jersey.

In the first half the home team had the advantage of the wind and the slope, but although they were manifestly the better players, they only scored once, a result principally down to the splendid goal-keeping of Trainer.

The goal that was scored, however, was grandly obtained. The ball was thrown in by Groves and headed back to him by Hodgetts. The half-back centred, and ere one could realise it the ball was headed by Hare to John Devey, and by him shot into the net.

Just before the interval Athersmith would probably have scored again, but he was given offside - a decision that was palpably wrong, for he raced by two men in order to reach the balL

This was an instance in which speed was a dis-advantage to the player. It might indeed be said that the quickness of Athersmith’s legs deceived the referee’s eye. The lead obtained by the Villa by no means made the result safe, and but for a bit of bad luck the North End would have been level five minutes after the interval, inasmuch as a good shot from Stormont struck the post.

Afterwards, however, the Villa played grandly, and the passing was at times faultless. For thirty minutes, however, they were kept out by a grand defence, but then Hare again beat Trainer, and the game was won.

The Villa all round were the better team, and their attacks were more finished than were those of the North End.

The latter got the ball down on many occasions, but rarely passed Baird and Welford, who both played excellently.

The Villa half-backs worked untiringly, and all three showed excellent judgment, and fed their forwards in a manner which defied criticism.

The forwards were splendidly balanced, and Hare and Athersmith showed excellent combination, the latter displaying a great and needed improvement upon his recent form.