END OF 1925-26 FOOTBALL SEASON.

FIRST ELEVEN.
Since the publication of the last number of the "Monovian," the remainder of the season's fixtures have been carried out, but the Eleven has not upheld the high standard of the beginning of the season. The week following our victory over West Ham we replayed Leyton Technical, and although we were not as successful as in our first meeting, we beat them 5-3. There our successes for the season ended. We had a third attempt to beat Ongar, but were no more successful than on former occasions. With two down at half-time, the team played well together, and within ten minutes we had equalised. Then, however, Taylor had the misfortune to damage his knee, and, playing only ten men, we were again defeated by 4--2. In the following week we played George Green's School away, and in a game where a terrific wind put good football out of the question, were beaten, 4-2.
Old Boys' Match. For the last and most important match of the year the weather was glorious. Our task appeared truly stupendous, for the O.M's. had honoured us by putting six or seven of their best men into the field, and unfortunately our centre-half, Collins, was unable to play owing to a cold, thus necessitating a re-arrangement that was certainly not to our advantage. At the start of the game, the exchanges were very even, and once at least the School might have scored. The Old Boys scored, however, and within a few minutes increased their lead through a fine shot by Blumsom. The School defence seemed hardly to have settled down, and miskicks were frequent. However, only one more goal was conceded until half-time, and, following a good run and centre by V. Snaith, Bailey scored from close in. Smith at centre-half was obviously not in his best form, and Allen seemed also unsafe. For some time at the beginning of the second half the O.M's. attacked, but were unable to score, Acres in particular holding up the right wing in fine style. Eventually Card hit a centre first time, and the terrific spin on the ball beat Taylor. Thereafter the School became more aggressive, but it was not until another goal had been scored against them that L. Snaith broke through and scored. After this encouragement the team responded well, but superior pace to the ball and general team work secured two more goals for the O.M's., and they thus beat us by 7-2.
The form for the season has been much better than that of the last three or four years. Only beaten by two schools, Ongar and George Green's, we proved ourselves capable of defeating nearly all old rivals. A pleasing feature was the way in which on several occasions the School scored in the last few minutes. Against George Green's we scored in the last minute, to win, 3-2; against Leyton County three goals were scored in four minutes, and we won, 3-1; and three were scored in five minutes against Leyton Technical. The team as a whole was much lighter than usual, five members in fact weighing each less than eight stone. In the Old Boys' game Acres excelled himself and finished off a season, in which he was always good, with a splendid display. He certainly deserved his cap. Much of the success in attack has been due to the fine play of the two extreme wing men, Foan and V. Snaith. It must be some years since our outside forwards were so good. Bailey and Roberts as insides were good, but in the former, indifferent ball control, and in the latter, a lack of dash and shooting power have marred otherwise good displays. At right half Ashton has always been reliable and at times has played brilliantly. Collins at centre half was always sure, and, moreover, was able to help the attack to no small extent. Both he and the two wing men have fully earned their caps. At the start of the season the want of good backs was very acute, but the Vice-Captain, Smith, turned himself from a forward to a back, and was of great value in his adopted position. C. Vincent, the other back, was steady, and must surely be the best tackler the School has had for years. A curious inability to kick hard was all that prevented his being really first class. For G. Taylor, in goal, no praise could be too high. In his first season he was most useful, and he improved weekly, until in this, his third year, he has been indispensable. On occasions Allen and Rayuer have played well.
The team as a whole has been fine, and it has been a Pleasure to captain it.
We congratulate Collins (U. Va., Centre Half), Foan (U. Va., Outside Right), Acres (U. Vb., Left Half Back), and V. Snaith (L. Va., Outside Left) on winning their football caps.
L.W.Snaith (Capt.)