Towyn-on-Sea and Merioneth County Times

FOOTBALL. FORECAST COMPETITION. The conditions are as follows :—Every week the sum of One Pound is offered to the person who sends to the Editor the actual forecast of the results of the matches given for competition the preceding week, and in the event of no one giving the actual scores the sum of Ten Shillings will be given to the person who predicts nearest the actual scores. Each person competing must use the coupon to be found on this page. No old coupons will be allowed, neither will any recognition be given to forecasts other than on the proper coupon. Each competitor must cut out the coupon, and fill in the names of the competing teams, with their scores, thus: Bolton W. 4, Sunderland 2;" in the case of a draw insert Portmadoc 1, Penygroes 1;" as the case may be, and forward in a sealed envelope to the "Editor, COUNTY TIMES Office, Welshpool," by whom it must be received not later than first post on Sat urday morning in each week, the envelope to be endorsed Competition." Four points will be allowed for an actual result, three points for a result one goal out, two points for two goals out, and one point for three goals out. In the case of a draw the same conditions will apply. One or more forecasts may be sent in by the same person but in each case the correct coupon must be used. The Editor's award is in all cases final. The matches set down for competition on October 30th resulted as follows:— Bolton Wanderers.. 1 Sunderland. 0 Notts Forest 3 Derby County. 4 Preston North End 1 Blackburn Rovers.. 4 Dolkelley 5 Barmouth 0 Again no competitor succeeded in prophesying the actual scores of the teams concerned, and therefore the consolation prize of 10s. goes to H. R. Morris, Bookstall, Towyn, whose coupon was the nearest being correct. The following are the matches for competition on November 13th coupons must reach thebead office, not later than first post on November 13th, otherwise they will be disqualified. 1 Oswestry United v Wem 2 Wrockwardine Wood v Newtown 3 Druids Reserve v Welshpool United 4 Aston Villa v Everton

THE CAMBRIAN LEAGUE. RESULTS UP TO DATE. GOALS. PL W L D F A PTS Dolgelley 2 1 0 1 7 2 3 Festiniog 1 1 0 0 2 1 2 Portmadoc. 2 1 1 0 5 3 2 *Towyn 1 0 0 1 2 2 1 Bat,rnouth 2 0 2 0 1 9 0 Machynlleth 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 bailing satisfactory arrangements being arrived at between Towyn and Barmouth to play match originally arranged for October 30th two points will be added to Towyn.

FIRST-CLASS LEAGUE. RESULTS TO DATE GOALS PL W L D F A PTS Sheffield United 11 8 0 3 29 14 19 Aston Villa 11 7 2 2 29 21 16 f West B'wich A. 10 4 3 3 18 13 11 W'hampton W. 10 4 3 3 18 13 11 Everton 9 5 3 1 15 16 11 Bolton Wanderers.. 10 5 4 1 11 11 11 Derby County. 10 4 4 2 23 21 10 Sunderland 9 4 3 2 8 9 10 Liverpool. 9 3 3 3 18 16 9 Sheffield W'dnesd'y 10 4 5 1 16 15 9 Notts Forest. 9 2 3 4 12 13 8 Blackburn Rovers. 10 3 5 2 17 22 8 Stoke 10 3 5 2 11 20 8 Bury. 8 2 4 2 12 17 6 Preston North End.. 11 1 6 4 7 16 6 Notts County 11 1 7 3 14 22 5

THE COMBINATION. RESULTS TO DATE. GOALS PL W L D F A PTS Crewe Alexandra. 8 6 1 1 23 9 13 Cbirk 5 4 1 0 14 7 8 Everton 6 3 1 2 11 7 8 White Star Wand. 7 2 1 4 10 8 8 Stoke Swifts. 6 4 2 0 13 12 8 Wrexham 5 2 1 2 13 10 6 Rock Ferry 6 2 2 2 11 9 6 Buxton. 4 1 0 3 8 7 5 Chester 7 1 3 3 9 11 5 Garston Cop. Wks.. 7 1 3 3 10 14 5 Tranmere Rovers. 5 2 3 0 9 9 4 Dresden United 8 1 5 2 6 15 4 Druids 5 1 3 1 10 13 3 Northwich. 7 0 5 2 7 23 2

FOOTBALL FIXTURES. (The matches to be played on the ground of the first-named club.) NOVEMBER. 4 Welshpool v Shrewsbury Crnsers 6 Chester v Chirk c 6 St George's v Newtown s L 6 R.W.W. Stars (Newtown) v Welshpool Reserve 13 Oswestry United v Wem s L 13 Wrockwardine Wood v Newtown s L 13 White Star v Chirk c 13 Druids Reserve v Welshpool United 20 Singleton & Cole's (Shrewsbury) v Welshpool Reserve (Welsh Junior Cup) 20 Chirk v Stoke Swifts c 20 Newport v Newtown s r, 20 Market Drayton v Oswestry United s L 27 2nd Round Welsh Cup 27 Newtown v Oswestry United s L DECEMBER. 4 Wrexham v Chirk c 4 Builth v Welshpool United 11 Brymbo v Welshpool United 11 Chirk v White Stars c 11 2nd Round Welsh Junior Cap 18 3rd Round Welsh Cup 25 Druids v Chirk c 27 Chirk v Tranmere c 2:7 Welshpool United v Aberystwyth JANUARY. 1 Llanidloes v Welshpool United 8 3rd Round Welsh Junior Cup 15 Welshpool United v Builth 22 4th Round Welsh Cup 29 Ellesmere v Welshpool United FERRUARY 5 4th Round Junicr Cup 12 Welshpool United v Llanidloes 19 Welshpool United v Oswestry 26 Semi. final Welsh Cup MARCH. 5 CRUSADERS i! S2 wT»rc»vpK'w-w- 19 Welshpool United v Brymbo 26 Welshpool United v Ellesmere

CAMBRIAN LEAGUE FIXTURES. 1897 98. Nov. 6 Penygroes v rtlaenau Festiniog 6 Barmouth v Towy » 13 Towyn v Barmouth 20 Blaenau Festinioy v Barmouth 1\ 27 Portmadoc v Penygroes Dec. 4 Penygroes v Portmadoc 4 Blaenau Festiniog v Dolgelley „ 18 Portmadoc v Dolgelley 27 NORTH OF LEAGUE V. SOUTH OF LEAGUE Jan. 1 Dolgelley v Blaenau Festiniog „ 1 Portmadoc v Barmouth „ 15 Towyn v Dolgelley „ 22 Dolgelley v Portmadoc „ 29 Barmouth y Blaenau Festiniog Feb. 12 Blaenau Festiniog v Portmadoc 12 Dolgelley v Penygroes 19 Towyn v Portmadoc „ 19 Penygroes v Barmouth 26 Blaenau Festiniog v Towyn Mar. 5 Towyn v Penygroes 5 13arynotith v DoWelley 12 Blaenau Festiniog v Penygroes 12 Portmadoc v T-jwyn ° 19 Barmouth v Pens'/roes „ 26 Towyn v Blaenau Festiniog Apl. 2 Penygroes v TWvn „ 9 Champions v Rest of League

THE WELSH CUP. DRAW FOR THE SECOND ROUND. The draw for the second found of this competi- tion took place at Wrexham on Tuesday night, wirl. the following result:—Division 1: Holywell v Car- narvon Ironopolis, Rhyl Town v Bangor. Division 2 Chirk v Druids, Flint, v Caergwrle Wanderers. Division 3: Wem v Newport, Wellington Town v Market Drayton. Division 4: Builth v Towyn Rovers, Swansea or Abcrdare v Aberystwyth. The first-named clubs have eh..i(-cfg ound; kick-off at half-past two; ties to be played on or before November 27. -+-

THE ENGLISH CUP. ABERYSTWYTH v. GLOSSOP NORTH END. A HARD-FOUGHT GAME. The Glossop men cam. down oil Friday evening, and were in excellent trim when they look the field on the following day. There was a I array of spectators and the greatest interest, l'i taken io the game, many coming down from t he neighbour ■■ ing towns. The following were rbe r ABERYSTWYTH. Goal, Roose; backs, W. R. J ,m] Harry Smith: half-backs, G. Green, J. H Kaw.- d-. and E. Parry; forwards, J. F. J< ne-, O. James, A. Green, and J. C Rea. Lír¡, 111, Hollier. GLOSSOP NORTH END. Goal, Dearnley; backs, Jo I" s and G-e-. half- backs, Sergeant, Burleigh, and I.Lin)itioix; i Wild, Conningham, Bartley, Frew, and Flyi-n. Linesman, Mr A. Pearson. Referee, Mr Pearson, Crewe. The North Enders won the toss and Wf-nt about their work with great spirit. They rushed the play towards the home ground and srave rhe hacks a lot of hard work. A free kic1- fell to the Nor'h Enders but the home men cleared, and Green getting away passed to Rea, who returned the pass. Green got away and centred to J. F. Jones, who scored with a fast shot, the ball sliding- along the ground and disappearing under the back of the net. Play was resumed with increased vigour, and the home defence was considerably bothered. There was little combination on either side, but the visitors were quicker on the ball, slipping it away from one to another with excellent precision. Conningham put iu a ground shot, which Roose picked up and fisted into mid-held Helped by a big kick from Hammonds, the left wine made for the visitors' citadel Gee saving by raiding the ball, which f,.]] iii front of the goal. Jones headed out and the sphere was again tossing about in front of the home fort Roose tipping a fast shot around the post The corner kick was well placed, and the goal appeared to be in danger, when W. R. Jone, breasted the ball into the corner, from where it was driven out. Twenty-two minutes of the first half had now gone, n the had been a series of attacks and counterattack* A miss-kick bv Smith let loose a crowd of players on the" horn, goal, Roose saving by driving th« ball beh ind hp post. A second oceision h: saved out of a furious rush bv the North Euderu who dodged about in front of the goal, sending in the ball from all direc- tions. W. R. Jones and Smith WArp hard pressed and were it not for Edwards, and his brother half- backs coming to their rescue the goal must have fell. Roose polished off a shot sent in from tho corner, and the return shot wassmartlv headed cut by Edwards Gee stopped a run by Rea, kiekin* the ball well out of play. Ban lev was disappointed whichfcS U1 °fS S.e,nt in C,ead 0,3 the *oal- bllt bit of nUi v i'8 WrT,ng Slde of the "Pnghts. A smart first 1^1 r™ .Md Bartle-V ended with the first-iiamed sending in a cross shoc which Roose saved by falling at full length. Thr corner kicl- was placed well, and it was the nearer hav» from theTomT 1 ynn hRadefi bdlÍnrl, The attacks on the home goal was occasionally varied bv » ™t ^t*Jr8T '■ Ref maki"g ,was lloweV('r so poorly supported that the visiting backs beat him off. A miss-kick by Jones, gave J. F. Jones an ooenin J Lnd he forced a corner. The North End^s play was resumed at the othf e P s.v well. Half.time arrived wi^h Aberystwyth 1, GIOSSOD O. half Roose saved a fast she? whiei-. • .'S-l,■ < the corner of the po,,it. A ii(! s: R struck the cross-bar. This wn* f„s: v ner from which attack the goal. The splendid headiu;- • for his <earn in the nianv ■ ■■ r- half-backs, and there wa« n ,■ followed by a bor-tijig c'-eer a^ V ball and tossed it cm afi i" work by the visitors, folio,vi;v., against Smith for hands the game was the nrt-irimr acta eke ( and the unflinching and d erniined ".irfl.'l V" homesters If was a betweer" > sectiors, th- home forwards working hard to'h, away met, with a stubborn bar-k Tin„ a was however forced. and "cleared "br 'S visiting backs, after wl^h a terrific was made on the home goal. Roose made some brilliant saves, fiatwg out in grand style and adding

FOOTBALL NOTES. [BY DRIBBLER,"] Here we are again Another week passed with its surprises and disappointments. It is of interest to pick out a few :— Sheffield United 4 Everton 1 Newtown 1 Everton Combination 0 Aberystwyth 1 Glossop North End 0 Blaenau Festiniog 2 Portmadoc 1 Dolgelley 5 Barmouth 0 In the first instance readers might recollect my remarks in the last issue as to Sheffield United's chances and as far as my memory carries me I said that Sheffield would never go to Everton to be beaten," and to put it as mildly as I could I at least predicted a drawn game, but who for one moment dreamt of such a result as 4-1. The Blades" are to be congratulated and thoroughly too and I do not think their downfall is likely to come off just at present. The team that does the trick by breaking the present record of the United will do something tbut can very reason- ably cause them to feel proud. "Is it possible," asks a well-ksown football enthusiast in this locality, for the League Champions to finish with an unbeaten record ?" I should say certainly but at the same time it is quite a long odds affair. The Montgomeryshire Worthies can boast of no mean victory. I know what Everton Combina- tion are, and to beat them by 1-0 is a feat New- town need not be ashamed of. It certainly upsets my calculations as to the whereabouts of the Welsh Cup for this season. The goal that gave Newtown the victory was scored in the first 15 minutes. Wild kicking was the order of the day, I hear. And now my friends, I come to the surprise, un. doubtedly of the day-Aberystwyth beats Glossop North End! It was certainly a real mouth opener." Of the match itself I have no details, nevertheless the result, it must be admitted, shows that a well fought and close game took place. It is gratifying to the lc-caMty and a stimulant for furthering the game amongst us, and against what team might I ask will Aberystwyth be again drawn in the English Cup competition ? This competition is so extensive and the clubs engaged in the quali- fying stage are so well matched as a rule that the winning teams of each division can well claim to call themselves clubs of second class rate. Towyn are particularly anxious as to Aberystwyth's chances in the next round of the Welsh Cup, and no doubt this is a matter that troubles many. It Aberystwyth arc drawn against Towyn at Towyn" was the report that went like wild-fire round the little town last week. That innocent youth should do well on the inventing staff of some Yankee paper, for his attempt of last week certainly took on grand. I am afraid Towyn are not in for such luck, but assuming Dame Fortune does smile on them, we are then in for a grand fight indeed, and I should be sorry to say for certain that Towyn would be losers, but apart from that, what a smiling com- mittee there would be when the gate was counted up. On the other hand, I truly hope that, where- ever, Towyn may be drawn to play away from home that the Railway Company will see their way to offer the supporters an exclusion. I noticed the Aberystwyth Club are treated in a far more liberal spirit than Coast teams, and why I don't know. Mr Gough, if you plase, kindly divert your attention uur wav! The next "surprise" I have to notice is the Blaenau victory. A near thing certainly, and a rare thing for Portmadoc to be beaten on the Traeth. I am sorry to say that between the two teams, possibly Blaenau took the most honours, roughness and fouls were the order of the day, and one or two unpleasant incidents occurred. How many times have I, in these columns, implored of players to play the ball and not the man, but some- how its like throwing water on a duck's back," and Saturday's incidents are not pleasant enough to put in print. Cambrian League clubs can take it from me that they have in Blaenau a defence something to reckon with, and in this they certainly excelled Portmadoc, who on the other hand has a nice quintet of forwards. The result I cannot say is a true criterion of the game, and Portmadoc cer- tainly had very hard lines in not making a draw of it, as one or two excellent attempts to equalise on their part were worthy of better results. Those old antagonists Barmouth and Dolgelley met on the ground of the latter to the chagrin of the Barmouth supporters. Barmouth must cer- tainly look up." It is not too late to start. Two matches only are played with nine goals scored against them to their solitary one. There is some- thing wrong with the defence, and I recommend the committee to rectify it at once. I never thought there would be mor9 than a goal between them, however, Barmouth entertain Towyn at Barmouth next Saturday, and thus have an opportunity of showing their supporters what they can do. The Cambrian League has been formed with a rule book to guide them, and unless the rules are adhered to, you may just as well throw up the sponge. The rules are daily ignored, and certain clubs have an idea that they can just do as they like and not as rules decree, and should you pull them up they at once retaliate by saying we'll retire." It is childhood days over again, when the child who cannot have exactly all his own way when playing with his mates cries oat "I won't play no more." Such an order of things would never be tolerated by the English or Combination Leagues, and why the League on our own Coast should be treated thus is extraordinary. It is whispered the Cambrian League secretary is resigning, and that the follow- ing advertisement is out. Now, ye, fault finders come forward: — Wanted, a gentleman to undertake the duties of League secretary to an established (?) League. He must be thoroughly acquainted with football organisation and devote the whole of his time to the duties, be prepared to receive occasional dis- appointments, &c., &c. Must be possessed of patience and good temper. Salary- P Apply with testimonials on or before Saturday, November 6th, to Cambrian League, Barmouth." An interesting game between Towyn and Aber- ystwyth College took place at Towyn on Saturday last, with a drawn game as the result, 2-2. Towyn have done better than (his on previous occasions when meeting the College, both at Aberystwyth and at home. I am only afraid that unless Towyn settle down to real and serious training this season won't be a prosperous one for them. I hear that the Towyn goalkeeper showed his old form, and that J. Lewis for the College played a really fine game. Bear in mind this is a Towyn man and one of a family of runners I believe. There is a foot- ball future for Lewis, as combined with his swift- ness, his trickiness will surely bring him out amongst a smarter eleven than his College some day. The remarks of Mr Pickford, a Hampshire football enthusiast, upon the moral effects or other- wise of football are quite refreshing. They occured during a debate on the subject, and I do not think I could do better than quote them :—"On spectators the mental effects were those of giving a little excitement that the British sporting instincts re- quired, and a change from the monotony of work that could not but be an advantage. For two hours at any rate on a half-holiday the spectators had to keep out of public houses, and the tight rein that the football authorities kept on betting restrained that evil influence to a great extent from permeat- ing the game. On the moral results of foetball the speaker felt that it was not just to view the game from that standpoint. The duty of Christians was rather to take the great Anglo-Saxon sport as they found it, and bring all their influence to bear on raising its level and putting down abuses. Muscular Christianicy was more prevalent now than ever, and it was wiser to control the game for the better than to wash one's hands of it and let it go to the dogs." Now, on the other hand, it was argued profes- sionalism was the great drawback, &c., &c. Here is his reply There was, he said, no fear of pro- fessionalism swamping the game, as in comparison to the amateurs they were very few, and the clubs were few that could afford to pay their players. Further, it was far better to openly control that which it was impossible to stifle, than to let under- hand practices ruin the game. There was the money and impecunious player, and the two were sure to coalesce, either openly or secretly. He strongly condemned the so-called amateur, and expressed a great preference for the honest regis- tered professional." To which I say Hear, hear." I am afraid that Blaenau amongst the many little errors that occurred last Saturday will find their treasury less by half a crown, and this will be for playing a man other than in his registered colours. Club secretaries please note. It is not often that football note writers can venture to go so far as to say that a winning team can absolutely thank their goalkeeper for their victory. I am in possession of evidence that Roose of Aberystwyth not only avoided a draw but a victory for Glossop. He simply played last Satur- day as Trainer himself can only play-I said only I beg pardon, because Roose was quite his equal, and Aberystwythites should feel indebted to him. He is not an Aberystwyth man, he hails from Holt, in Denbighshire, but Aberystwyth may reasonably claim to have "nursed" him in his "football cradle." Bravo Roose! A correspondent suggests the following team to play for Towyn next Saturday at Barmouth Goal, W. Jones backs, Lewis and Jim Owen; half-backs, Daniel, Ted Hughes, and E. L. Jones; right wing, G. Davies and "Jos"; centre, Gladstone left wing, Dewi" and Joe Edwards. It is not within my province to dictate to any club what the team should be, and I only insert in courtesy to my cor- respondent, who is, I know, a well wisher of the Club. The North v South match will, in all probability, be played either at Portmadoc or Towyn. Bar- mouth or Dolgelley, which are certainly the most conveniently placed, are in the unfortunate position of being unable to command a gate." Being on Boxing Day the gate should be a bumper." The draws for the Welsh Cup, second round, are now out and I give them as far as this locality is concerned :—Swansea or Aberdare v. Aberystwyth, Bnilth v. Towyn each match to be played on the ground of the first-named club. In the first case I have absolutely no hesitation in plumping for Aberystwyth but in the second instance my task is not so easy. So Towyn have to journey to that lovely valley of the W yo-and why not ? Already I hear the prophets buzzing round my ears predicting a thumping victory for Builth, but I cannot see it. They say a little bit of bounce now and again is good, so here goes by saying that hitherto in these columns Dribbler" has generally come out on the right side with his prognostications. And now for another hit! With all thy faults I love thee still," and with that quotation I venture to predict that Towyn will never go to Builth to he beaten. Shall I be right this time. I think so. A draw or a "in if you please Practice now must be the order. I cannot for one moment believe that Towyn, if they will but only train and practise, will be beaten even by Builth, but mind there is that if." Fore- warned is forearmed.