HLI Chronicle 1907 - The Royal Highland Fusiliers

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LIGHT
INFANTRY CHRONICLE
to register a win to do so. . The game was
played on our own ground at Dum-Dum.
Play started punctually at 5.30, and the
H.L.L, ably led by Innes and Collins, at once
attacked, but were driven back shortly, and
O'Rourke at centre-half had some work,
which he did in his usual finished style. A
short time after commencing play the 5th
forwards broke away, and sent in a shot from
the right wing, which, owing to the slippery
condition of the ground, Lees was unable to
clear, and a goal resulted.
This advantage, however, was but momentary,
as, from the centre, our forwards broke
away and scored a goaL After this the
H.L.L pressed hard, and had bad luck in not
getting the lead, as several shots were sent in,
hitting the posts a.nd cross-bar, and just failing
to go through.. Half-time came with the score
one all. .
In the second half the H.L.L did nearly all
the pressing, and Innes and Collins played
brilliantly, the former centreing in grand
style, and the la,tter dribbling the ball through
pools of water in the most marvellous manner.
In spite of all this pressing, however, no goal
resulttd, and the inside forwards seemed to
have struck one of those unlucky days when
everything seems to go wrong. Time was
called, leaving the match a draw. Thus the
H.L.I. lost the Cup by one point, much to
ever~on~'s disappointment.
INDIAN FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION
SHIELD COMPETITION.
THE following account of our matches in the
Indian Football Association Shield Competition
are taken £rom the Calcutta" Statesman"
;­
THE LF,A. SHIELD-FIRST ROUND.
HIGHLAND IJIGHT INFANTRY, 2; CALE­
DONIANS, O.
The Dum-Dum team in this game demonstrated
their superiority over the Caledonians"::'
a point much discussed of late-and won by
two goals to love. The game was fought: out
at a tremendous pace, and was of the most
exciting description. The first half produced
no score, although both teams missed certain
opportunities, the Military in particular giving
two chances away. In the second half the
soldiers did most of the forcing, and it was not
long after the re-start that Innes scored,
Devlin adding a second point a few minutes
later. The EI•.I. were obviously the better
side, and, thOUgh forced back by occasional
Caledonian rallies, were never absolutely
extended in keeping their opponents out. One
of the features of the game was O'Rollrke's
(H.L.I.) brilliance at centre-half. Referee.
Sergeant Watson (N.F.).
I.F.A. SHIELD--THIRD ROUND.
H.L.I., 2; SovA BAZAR, O.
A fair crowd lined the ropes on the. Sova:.
Bazar ground last evening in anticipation of a
good game between these two teams_ Their
reward, however, was of a doubtful character,
and a large proportion preferred at half-time
to cross the Maidan to witness one of the other
games. The supporters of the Indian team,
although the regular backs were not playing,
prophesied !mother victory, a prophecy that
was not fulfilled. The ground was in a shocking
condition: large pools of water were to-'
be found all over the ground, and when the'
Referee inspected the field before the match'
he found the marks hopelessly out, and the
game had to be delayed pending the pro- .
duction of a tape-measure and a lawn-~rker..
The proceedings opened with a smart.
run down by D. Mitter, but he was promptly
hauled up by Renton, and the Military attacked
immediately. Within eight minutes Duncan
had scored, completely beating S. Mookerjee,
the home keeper. During the next ten minutes
play was entirely confined to
a.
the So·va Bazar
quarters, each of the Military .wards.trying.
shots. The baUwas greasy the ground
bad, and accurate play was difficult. D..
Mitter once more went away, and gave his
inside man a likely opening. "Hands,"
however, spoiled the chance, and the free kick
helped the Infantry men onw~rds, and they
again attacked .. A .couple of. corners and a
free kick were not utilised, and though Collins. .
and Devlin both got really good shots in. •
Mookerjee saved bIilliantly, and at .
the score had not been increased.
From the interval the Highlanders at once
attacked, and there was then much more
method and cleverness in their play_ They
had evidently become used to the uncom~
fortable condition of the ground, and, though
they made occasional Inistakes, they gave a;.
good display, and their opponents had nQ .
chance. O'Rourke, Duncan, and CoUins all
had shots, many of them really good, but thlt
Indian goalkeeper played brilliantly, and
saved them all. Sova Bazar went- away a
couple of times, but were not dangerous, the
Milituy getting back to the attack,. in both.
I. cases, almost immediately. The home· team,