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Match Report
Sheffield
Independent, Monday, 3 April 1893 |
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Favoured
with weather of the most delightful and summer-like description, the
22nd annual contest under Association rules between representative teams
of England and Scotland took place on Saturday at the Athletic Ground,
Richmond. The afternoon, indeed, was really too hot for football, being
more suggestive of August than April, but, though very exhausting
to those who had to play an hour and a half's football at high pressure,
it was greatly appreciated by the thousands of spectators. There was, of
course, a very big crowd present, but probably not more than 20,000, as
was fortunate, for the Athletic Ground at Richmond, admirable enclosure
as it is, is not adapted for the accommodation of anything like an
exceptionally large gathering. The straggle was honoured by the presence
of Royalty in the persons of her Royal Highness the Duchess of Teck, the
Duke of Teck, the Princess May and Prince Adolphis of Teck, and before
the game began the captains of the two elevens were duly presented to
the distinguished party. |
 On winning the toss the English captain placed his men with their backs
to the sun, and the moment that Hamilton kicked off the Scotchmen forced
the ball over the line. Then the Englishmen rushed the ball down, and
Cotterill head in. Lindsay stopped the shot, but Cotterill caught the
ball on the rebound, and his second stroke went just outside the post.
On restarting from the goal-kick the visitors broke away, but before
they could become dangerous the pressure was relieved through Campbell's
getting off-side, and following this incident the home side showed to
conspicuous advantage. They attacked repeatedly, and but for a fine bit
of play by Arnott at back, Cotterill would probably have scored early in
the game. The big Corinthian was very carefully watched, and this at
times made him appear not only ineffective, but poor, but with Gosling,
he in the first 20 minutes took the ball into dangerous proximity with
the Scottish goal, and on two occasions he was perhaps unfortunate in
failing to score. In a momentary attack by the visitors they were
assisted by a free kick awarded for a foul, but Smellie kicked too hard,
and Chadwick, getting the ball away, ran it down and passing to Gosling,
the Old Etonian, scored the first goal for England after fifteen
minutes' play. Keeping up the pressure, Cahdwick again made a nice run
and passing to Bassett, the latter sent in a shot which Arnott managed
to half stop, and eventually to clear, but for a log time the Scottish
forwards never had the ball as the play of the half-backs was
magnificent. For pace and clever ness the English forwards easily beat
the Scotch, but near goal they did not shine conspicuously. Gosling,
after a good run, was well placed, but his shot was a poor one, and
Arnott had no difficulty in preventing Chadwick from coming to his
assistance. For nearly half an hour Gay, the English goalkeeper, had
really nothing to do, but at the end of that time the visiting forwards
showed some decided improvement, and in one of their occasional attacks
M'Mahon dropped the ball up slowly to Gay. The shot was a very quiet one
and should have been easily dealt with, but Gay framed very badly at it,
and before he could clear Sellar run up and dashed the ball through, and
so equalised amidst the shouts of delight of the Scottish partisans/
Encouraged by their unexpected success the Scots played up with renewed
vigour, and during the next ten minutes they were constantly in front of
the English goal. The pressure was kept up without intermission, but
only on two occasions did the attack appear really dangerous, and
gradually England got upon terms with their opponents. But by this time
the Combination of the visitors had greatly improved, and the Scottish
half-backs allowed the English forwards but few opportunities of
shooting effectively, and at half-time the score was still ENGLAND
1 goal. SCOTLAND
1 goal.
After an interval of ten
minutes Cotterill kicked off, and Spiksley dribbling down, forced a
corner, but the ball was cleared, and after a splendid run Sellar shot
just outside. Scotland directly afterwards had a chance through Gay's
being penalised for running out too far in clearing, but Holt, who
throughout showed capital form, quickly got rid of the ball and relieved
the pressure for a time. It was only momentarily, however, as Scotland
was soon back again, and after some pretty passing Sellar sent in a low
shot which Gay could not reach, and the visitors obtained a tangible
advantage, the second goal being scored within two minutes of the
resumption. Just about this time the English forwards deteriorated very
much and quite lost their combination, Cotterill in the centre being
especially weak, but the half-backs maintained their good form. After a
short attack by the English forwards Scotland broke away and forced a
corner. This was at once cleared, and in turn Spiksley compelled one of
his opponents to put the ball behind, and after a good centre and a long
and exciting bully, Cotterill succeeded in driving the ball through,
England thus equalising at the end of 15 minutes. Having once again
placed themselves upon level terms, the English team showed a
determination to better their position, and their improvement was
wonderful. The half-backs persistently fed Spiksley and Chadwick, and
the pair made the most of their opportunities, as they time after time
carried the ball into dangerous proximity to the Scottish goal. 'Hands'
against Smellie, close to goal, gave England a chance, but the attack
was repulsed. The ball was not allowed to go far up the field, however,
as Bassett raced back with it, and passing across to Spiksley, the
latter shot through, and placed England a goal in front. Almost as soon
as the ball had been restarted the same two players were instrumental in
obtaining the fourth point, as Bassett again crossed to Spiksley, who
dashed up and headed the ball through. With a won game the Englishmen
continued to show grand form and for a time their forwards fairly ran
through the Scottish defence. In an attack Chadwick and Spiksley came
away, and although Smellie half cleared the latter's shot. Reynolds'
returned with a tremendously fast low stroke, which scored the fifth
goal for England, the last three having been obtained in ten minutes. As
the game drew to a close the Scotchmen played up vigorously, but
although Gay was twice called upon to handle the ball away they were not
fortunate enough to score, and England was left with the victory.
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Match Report
The Times, Monday,
3 April 1893 |
The
general estimate of the attendance at the Richmond Athletic Ground on
Saturday, when the 22nd match between England and Scotland took place,
was 20,000. Everything was favourable for the spectators, but the summer
weather could not have been very welcome to the players, who, however,
maintained a fast pace to the end. England were able to claim a decisive
victory after a match in which the tide of success inclined to each side
before finally turning strongly for the home eleven. The nature of the
play kept the spectators at a high pitch of excitement, and the football
seemed thoroughly appreciated. Although the partisan spirit was very
marked among the large company perfect good humour prevailed ; and the
Scottish element, after making much noise in the time that they were
leading, submitted quietly to the banter of the English team's friends
as, within some quarter of an hour to 20 minutes, England recovered
their form and scored four goals. The Duke and Duchess of Teck, Princess
May, and Prince Alexander of Teck witnessed the play from an enclosure
set apart for them in front of the grand stand. In spite of the
well-planned arrangements the spectators crowded in front of the place
occupied by the Press, some of whom must have been greatly hampered in
their work...
...Chadwick and Spikesley
brought the ball along the left side, and taking a fine centre from the
former Gosling butted it through. Thus the England team obtained the
opening goal...
...Campbell
and M'Mahon forced the ball close to the home line and it was sent into
the mouth of the goal, and Waddell drive it through...
Ends had
not long been changed when the Scottish again forced the play, and the
outcome of some accurate passing was a goal by Sellar, who had received
the ball from Waddell...
...Following close play near the Scottish posts and a dexterous save by
Lindsay, the ball was returned from the right wing, and Cotterill, amid
loud cheering, brought the figures level...
...but a
few minutes later Bassett and Gosling dribbled down the right side and a
long pass was given to Spikesley, who had got so well forward that a
prompt appeal was made for "off-side," and he scored with a fine shot.
The off-side appeal was over-ruled. Again, England forced the game, the
wing men playing splendidly. Bassett helped Spikesley to get the fourth
goal, and a long kick from the left (by Chadwick) was followed by
Reynolds registering the fifth point with a lofty shot from half-back...
It was
little less than remarkable the style that England half-way through the
second stage managed to renew their combination...
This is
England's third consecutive victory, and they have now won six matches
to Scotland's 11. There have been five drawn matches. |
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In Other News....
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It was on 1 April 1893 that the British
Admiralty sent its congratulations to the Neptune Salvage Company on its
successful re-floating of the battleship HMS Howe after it had run
aground five months earlier whilst attempting to negotiate the narrow
entrance to Ferrol Harbour on the Spanish coast. |
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Domestic
Football Results (1 April 1893)
Teams in a silver box denotes a player representing England |
The Football
League Division One:
Bolton Wanderers 2 Sunderland
1
Pike's Lane, Bolton
(13,000)
Bentley, Weir ~
Campbell |
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John Sutcliffe, Davie Weir and Jimmy Turner started for Bolton |
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Tom Porteous started for Sunderland |
Burnley 2 Wolverhampton
Wanderers 0
Turf Moor, Burnley
(8,000)
Turnbull, nk |
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Wolves were missing George Kinsey. However,
they started with Billy Rose, Dick Baugh, Harry Allen, George
Woodhall and Harry Wood. |
Everton 4 Blackburn Rovers
0
Goodison Park, Liverpool
(14,000)
James, McMillan, Geary, Maxwell |
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Everton were without Johnny Holt and Edgar Chadwick, but
did have Bob Howarth and Fred Geary |
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Nat Walton, Jimmy Forrest and Jack Southworth started for Rovers |
Newton Heath 2 Preston North
End 1
North Road, Manchester
(9,000)
Donaldson (2) ~
Stewart |
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Preston were
without Bob Holmes |
Wednesday 0
Stoke 1
Olive Grove,
Sheffield
(5,000)
Dixon |
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Wednesday were without Fred Spiksley,
but did have Billy Betts |
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Stoke started with Bill Rowley, Tommy Clare and Joe
Schofield |
West Bromwich Albion 3
Derby County 1
Stoney Lane, West Bromwich
(3,655)
T.Perry, Geddes, C.Perry
~ A.Goodall |
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West Brom were without Billy Bassett
and Jack Reynolds, but did start with Joe Reader and Tom & Charlie
Perry. |
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County started with Jack Robinson, Jack Cox, Fred Forman and
Steve Bloomer |
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Preston's hopes of
reclaiming the title for the third time in five years were all but
over following a shock defeat at Newton Heath, who were already
destined for the test matches where they would successfully retain
their First Division status. Although Sunderland only needed one
more point, Preston faltered again, two days later, on Easter
Monday, by failing to beat Accrington, and the so-called 'team of
all talents' retained the Championship, emulating Preston's
achievement of three years earlier.
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The Football
League Division Two:
Burton Swifts 0 Sheffield United 3
Peel Croft,
Burton
(3,000)
Hill, Waller, Gallacher |
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United started with Mick Whitham |
Grimsby Town 3 Walsall Town Swifts 0
Abbey Park,
Grimsby
(1,000)
Higgins (2),
Ackroyd |
Lincoln City 5 Bootle 1
John O'Gaunt's,
Lincoln
(2,000)
Raby (2), Smallman (2),
Roberts ~ nk |
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Small Heath 3 Ardwick 2
Coventry Road,
Birmingham
(1,000)
Hallam (2), Walton ~
Yates, Carson |
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Chris Charsley started for Heath |
Small
Heath completed their league fixtures with a ninth successive victory,
but it was another two weeks before they could claim to be champions,
and they then lost their test match to Newton Heath, thus failing to win
promotion, with Darwen and Sheffield United both successful.
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Source Notes |
TheFA
Scottish FA
Cris Freddi's England Football Factbook
ScottishSportHistory: Andy Mitchell |
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LondonHearts.com
The Football Association Yearbook
Richard Keir's Complete International
Record of Scotland
Original Newspaper Reports
Flying Over an
Olive Grove - Clive Nicholson, pp.111-121. |
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England
Football Online
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