Match Report The Sporting Life, Wednesday, 28 February 1872

   

Four matches have now been played under the denomination and under the rules of the Football Association, and on three occasions victory has rested with the English contingent, a tie match being the result of the fourth contest. Nor is this the result to be wondered at when we come to consider that the general rules adopted by the football clubs in Scotland are those of the Rugby Union, and that, therefore, in these Association matches the Scotch eleven has to be picked out principally from the London clubs, and cannot be fairly considered as representing the strength of the "North countr[y]" players. Seldom, if ever, has such wholesale desertion been witnessed as on Saturday last at Kennington Oval, when, at three o'clock (the time appointed for commencing this, the return match to that played on the same ground on the 18th of November last, when England won by two goals to one), the Scotch muster-roll was called over. In vain did Lindsay with sonorous tones repeat the names of Quintin Hogg, W.H. Gladstone, G. Baker, and G.G. Kennedy, who had all, as well as H.W. Renny-Tailyour, promised to play, while Hogg was to have acted a captain to the side. A nice example did he set to his followers. Renny-Tailyour, however, was only prevented from joing his colours by a serious accident. These unexplained and unexpected absences left the Scotch side in a large numerical deficiency which had to be supplied as best might. F. H. Crawford, Elliott, Ravenshaw, Stewart, and C. W. Thompson kindly volunteered their services, which were gratefully accepted, and Edgar Lubbock taking the place of G. Holden on the English side, at half-past three Alcock kicked off the ball. A strong south-easterly wind was blowing down the ground, and at first the English eleven defended that goal most favoured by the wind. The afternoon was dull and chilly, but though it threatened rain during the whole hour and a half of play, it was not until about five

minutes before the cessation of the match that a Scotch mist came on to weep for the English victory. In the bully indubitably the English had more weight, and it may also be conceded that, with such behinds as A. C. Thompson and Lubbock, with Stephenson as goal-keeper, they had the best of the Scotchmen in that department of the game as well. At the commencement of play, the Southerners forced back their adversaries and soon imperilled the safety of their goal, which after about twenty minutes' combat, fell to a well-judged side-kick by Clegg. This success necessitated a change of goals, and gave the Scotchmen the advantage of the wind. Although, however, no absolute score was achieved by them, they now pressed the English severely, and, for the reminder of the afternoon, though some brilliant runs by Vidal, Clegg, and Chenery more than once carried the ball down to the Scotch goals, the contest was principally carried on in the English territory. Thrice did the Northerners succeed in having a bully formed exactly in front of the English goals; but they could not force the ball through the posts, as the superior weight of England here proved of great service to her Eleven, whilst the defensive tactics of A.C. Thompson. Alcock, and Stephenson on each occasion were successful in guiding the ball outside the posts. Thus at five o'clock England had achieved another victory by one goal to nothing.    Amongst the English Eleven, Vidal, Clegg, Hooman, and Chenery may be picked out as having shown capital play in the bully, while Stewart, Ravenshaw, C.W. Thompson, R.E.W. Crawford, and Mitchell may be particularised amongst the Scottish division. Stewart was on the ball throughout and worked tremendously hard. Mr. M.P. Betts officiated as umpire, an office which we are glad to state is nearly always a sinecure.

Source Notes

Andy Mitchell's First Elevens: The birth of international football original newspaper report Douglas Lamming's A Century of English International Football 1872-1988 Douglas Lamming's A Scottish Internationalists' Who's Who 1872-1986

Mark Shaoul & Tony Williamson's Forever England: A History of the National Side CricInfo