Scotland

Umpires

Kennington Oval presented quite a holiday appearance on Saturday afternoon, on the occasion of the eighth international match between England and Scotland according to the rules of the Football Association rules. The weather was not altogether favourable, as the sky was dull, and occasionally there were drops of rain, but the ground was in splendid condition, and the play throughout was so fast that the game elicited a far greater amount of excitement than any match we have ever seen in London. Play was announced to begin at four o'clock, but it was nearly a quarter of an hour later before the English captain kicked off, Campbell, who had won the toss for Scotland, having chosen to occupy the western goal with the wind at his back. The English forwards were very quick on the ball, and Sparks and Wace in the centre were particularly busy in their attentions to the Scotch half-backs. The Scotch back play, which was excellent throughout, for a short time kept the English at bay, but at length, Bailey, skilfully directing the ball to Mosforth, the little Sheffielder shot it between the English posts to the evident gratification of the partisans of England. On the resumption of hostilities the play became brisk on both sides, and McNeil was vociferously applauded for two very fine runs along the lower side, in both of which he completely outplayed his opponents. Wace, Sparks, and Mosforth retorted with a sharp run into Scottish territory, but Smith and M'Kinnon in the centre took the ball in splendid style to the English goal, though Birkett luckily managed just to touch the leather when Smith made his shot, and it passed over the bar. The corner kick was entrusted to Vallance, and though the Englishmen managed to get the ball away Campbell returned it neatly, and Mackinnon, who rarely misses a chance, scored a goal for Scotland, amidst great cheering. Nearly half-an-hour had now elapsed and with the score even the excitement increased. The English forwards made desperate efforts to regain their lead, and Parlane, whose goalkeeping throughout was very fine, had more than once a rough time of it. Mosforth, Wace, Sparks, and Hill took the ball along from the middle and though Parlane twice got rid of it very cleverly Wace, not to be outdone, forced it between the goal. There was another outburst of applause at this second success of England, but it was premature, as after some discussion the umpires decided Wace to have been off side, and Scotland had a free kick. This disappointment seemed rather to unsettle the English flag and their efforts relaxed considerably for a time. Soon afterwards McKinnon scored a second goal for Scotland, an appeal for off side by the English captain being rejected by the umpires. The renewal of play saw the increase of energy on the side of England and the Scotchmen continued to maintain the offensive. Smith making some very good runs, while M'Neil, Paton, and M'Kinnon, were always on the alert, and behind the kicking of McPherson and Vallance was exceptionally fine. Mosforth made some fine runs along the upperside, but the Scotchmen were not to be denied, and before half-time Smith and M'Kinnon had each added to the score of Scotland. The change of ends gave England the wind, but with Scotland four goals to one the chances of the English team looked gloomy to those who knew the staying powers of the Scotchmen. Not very long after Campbell's kick off Bambridge, getting the ball close to his own goal, ran through the Scotch team, and eluding Parlane, in his final shot secured a goal for England by one of the grandest pieces of play we have ever seen, the young Swift being treated to long-continued applause. This success quite changed the spirit of the English play, and the forwards returned to the charge with an amount of energy greatly at contrast with their previous efforts. Mosforth's dribbling was particularly brilliant, and Bailey and Prinsep at half-back were almost impassable. After about ten minutes the Sheffielder, passing the last Scotch back, middled very skilfully to Goodyer, and the latter elicited another outburst with the third score for England. Some good play was shown after the kick off by Smith and M'Neil for Scotland, and more than once Birkett had to use his hands, but the Englishmen were bent on making most of their time, and bearing down in an irresistible rush the forwards forced Parlane and ball between the posts, thus making four goals to each side. The excitement was now intense, but the Scotchmen appeared to be once more in luck when M'Neil, after a fine run, proved instrumental in taking the ball between the English posts. The goal was, however, questioned by the English captain, and was disqualified on the ground of off side. During the last quarter of an hour the interest never flagged, and neither team relaxed their efforts for  a moment. Mosforth's play toward the last was particularly brilliant, but the forwards all did their work well, and at last their efforts were rewarded with a fifth goal, kicked by Bambridge. Only seven minutes remained, and as this period proved uneventful, at the call of time England was left in possession of a hard earned victory, after one of the best Internationals ever played, by five goals to four. The result was received with great enthusiasm, but the Scotchmen were heartily cheered as each member retired to the pavilion.
  

A better football match than that played on Saturday at The Oval between England and Scotland, under Association rules, has probably never been witnessed. From the kick off to the call of 'Time' the play was exceedingly fast, and the interest well sustained up to the last moment...
As the time approached for the commencement of hostilities on Saturday the sky became overcast with clouds, but fortunately a sharp breeze sprung up and prevented their downfall until after the match was over. Play began within ten minutes of the stipulated time - 4 o'clock, when there were nearly 4,000 spectators present. Scotland were successful in the toss, and at once decided to have the wind as an ally for the first half of time, leaving Wace to kick off for England from the eastern goal...
...Bailey got in possession of the ball, and after a short run, by a clever piece of passing, gave it to Mosforth, who shot it between the posts, and thus gained first point for England...
One corner kick having failed to produce any satisfactory result, a second fell to Scotland. M'Dougall was entrusted with it, and most judiciously aimed the ball a few yards in front of goal. Campbell then headed it to M'Kinnon, who cleverly sent it between the posts...
M'Dougall kicked the second goal for his side, Smith then secured a third, and shortly afterwards M'Kinnon obtained a fourth. This did certainly not look at all hopeful for England. The change of ends, however, put a different aspect on affairs. By no means disheartened, the English forwards, with the wind at their backs, quickly assumed the aggressive. Bambridge was the first to show to advantage. Getting in possession of the ball, he ran it over more than half the length of the ground, and then kicked it underneath the bar. This really wonderful piece of play infused new vigour into the home team, and proved to be the turning-point in the match. England now had a deficiency of two goals, and this was quickly rubbed out. Mosforth made a smart run and passed the ball to Goodyear, who kicked the third goal for his side, and Bailey soon afterwards having a throw-in close to the corner flag, planted the ball in the very mouth of the goal, and although Parlane tried to stop it the ball passed through off his hand...
...then the ball, having been passed to Bambridge, that player kicked the fifth goal for his side.
   

The Football Association Yearbook
original newspaper report & The Morning Post/Independent
Douglas Lamming's A Century of English International Football 1872-1988
Welsh Football Data Archive
Douglas Lamming's A Scottish Internationalists' Who's Who 1872-1986
Cris Freddi's England Football Factbook
Andy Mitchell's extensive research