Scotland

Umpires

The match which is looked forward to with the greatest interest among the lovers of the dribbling game is undoubtedly that between England and Scotland. For some time past trial matches have taken place both north and south of the Tweed with a view of selecting the best possible players. Saturday was the day appointed for the meeting, and Kennington-oval the rendezvous. The heavy rain which fell in the early part of the day rendered the ground very slippery, and throughout the match falls were frequent, the players representing a rather sorry appearance at the end of an hour and a half's play. The attendance was very large, and the enjoyment of the game rather intense, judging from the shouting. Play began at 3.30, when Scotland, who had lost the toss, kicked off from the gasworks goal. The ball was quickly dribbled to the centre of the ground, where for a few minutes it was kept, when the English, aided by the wind, made a rush at their opponents' goal, and the ball was forced over the line. Scotland then restarted it, and, their forwards being very swift, they managed to elude the vigilance of their opponents, and in turn kicked the ball over the English goal line. Two or three good attacks were now made by the visitors, but these were well turned by Haygarth, whose defensive play throughout was excellent. Hubert Heron now showed some fine dribbling, taking the ball from the lower side of the ground to within a few yards of the Scotch goal; one of the latter's backs, however, managed to return it to the centre of the ground. It was once more taken towards the Scotch goal almost immediately after this, and one of the visitors incautiously violated the rule which forbids handling. The free-kick was very judiciously made by Birley, and Bonsor, being conveniently posted in front of the Scotch goal, kicked the ball under the tape. Ends were changed, and with the wind in their favour, the Scotch made numerous runs into their opponents' territory, and within 10 minutes three of their forwards conducted the ball along the upper side of the ground to within three or four yards of the English goal, when Mr. Neill kicked it between the posts. Matters having thus been equalised, the sides once more crossed over, and some of the best play of the match was now shown. Von Donop made a number of brilliant runs, as did Geaves and Hubert Heron, but for some considerable time these were counteracted by their opponents' back-play, while the Scotch forwards also took the ball several times dangerously near the English goal. At length it became evident that the Southerners were getting a little the best of the fight, and at 25 minutes past four a second goal was placed to their credit. A corner kick had fallen to the lot of the English, and the ball was breasted through by Alcock. For a third time positions were reversed, and having the wind again at their backs, the Scotch were not long before they took the ball into English quarters, and in less than 10 minutes a second goal was kicked for them also. The score was thus brought level, and for the remaining part of the time either side made strenuous efforts to effect the downfall of the other's fortress, but all proved futile, and when "Time" was called at 10 minutes to five the match was declared drawn, each side having kicked two goals.
    

The Football Association Yearbook
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
Cris Freddi's England Football Factbook
Nick Gibbs England: The Football Facts
John Maxwell's Scottish International Football Archive (website)