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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.
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At
the same ground, on the day before the international, the Royal
Engineers defeated the holders, Oxford University, 1-0, after extra
time, in the F.A. Cup semi-final replay, to reach their third final in
the four years of the fledgling competition. Scottish international,
Captain Henry Renny-Tailyour scored the goal. The following week's
final, also at the Oval, also went to a replay, before the Engineers
lifted the trophy for the first and only time.
It
was on 5 March 1875 that the House of Lords debated the reasons why some
public entertainment licenses were issued for Ash Wednesday and some
were refused. |
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Scotland
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