On Saturday one of the largest assemblages of spectators ever seen at Solitude assembled to witness the international between a picked team representing England and an Irish, composed exclusively of Belfast players. The greatest interest possible was taken in the match, and the utmost enthusiasm prevailed. Punctually at 3.30, the teams having undergone the photographing process, lined out. The Englishmen won the toss, and Holmes, the captain, chose the mountain goal, with the sun on his back and the wind—what was of it—in his favour. Stanfield started the leather, and England immediately assumed the aggressive, the ball going into touch. From the throw out, Reynolds, after a header from Chippendale, shot behind. Milne, from the kick out, rushed well, but the defence was too strong. Chippendale again brought the leather up, but Stewart was able for him; but shortly afterwards he made a slight mistake, and Chippendale looked dangerous, but Torrans was on the alert. Stanfield had a neat chance spoiled by one of his own men, and Dalton barely missed scoring by a few inches. A corner proved resultless, and a foul was given against Ireland, but Stewart, by a good bit of play, neutralised the advantage. The English forwards were playing well at this stage, but Johnston and Milne were there and everywhere. Dalton and Gaffikin brought relief by some nice passing, but Reynolds cleared skilfully. Daton being hurt necessitated a short delay, and when play was re-started, a foul given against Gibson gave the visitors a fine opening, which they availed of, and pressed hard. Torrans saved when Chippendale and Whitehead were looking very dangerous, and the Irish forwards began to act on the aggressive. Milne put in a fine shot, in saving which Reader was fouled by Stanfield, and slightly hurt. A fine shot by Johnstone was spoiled by a misunderstanding between Gibson and Barron. Some fast play followed, and a swift shot from Chippendale hit the post, the ball going out. A combination between Dalton, Gaffikin, and Gibson was followed by a good shot from the last named, but Reader saved. Milne gave England a corner. From the kick out, the ball went into touch, and Milne took a foul against Crabtree none too well. The Irishmen began to press, and Reynolds was kept pretty busy. Relief was brought by the forwards, who got away, and a shot from Chippendale went behind. In the kick out, Stanfield and Barron broke away, and what appeared to be a fine chance of scoring was somehow or other lost. A shot from Hodgetts hit the Irish crossbar and went behind, and another rush by the homesters followed on the kick out. Johnston stopped a rush by the opposition forwards, and Scott saved, in excellent style, a shot from Devey. Gibson spoiled a nice chance, and Holt passed to the forwards, which was followed by Devey scoring for England, from a fine combination with Hodgetts and Spikesley. This gave the English heart, and the play was faster and better. Before half-time Stanfield sent through off a centre from Dalton, but the goal was disallowed as the whistle had previously blown for a foul against England. No further score took place before the whistle blew for half-time.
Devey re-started for England, and Scott was forced to send behind to save from Chippendale and Whitehead. England was pressing hard at this time, but Gaffikin relieved by passing to Barron, who parted to Stanfield, but the latter missed a most favourable opportunity by sending the ball high over the bar. Torrans cleared a rush by the English left, and shortly following a foul was given against England. Whitehead dribbled, but was robbed by Burnett. The Irish invade, Stanfield in particular working very hard. Spikesley and Hodgetts got away again however, and the former scored a second goal for England from the outside left. Ireland was nerved to do better by this reserve, and the English had their hands full. After some ups and downs, Dalton got well away from the melée and centring to Stanfield, the latter sent the leather through and scored the first goal for Ireland, a feat that was received with the utmost enthusiasm. From the kick-ff Ireland got away again but the venue was soon changed, and Scott got plenty of work from Devey and Spikesley. The Irish worked all they knew to equalise, but the passing was not good and this did them a great deal of harm. Holt took the ball from Stanfield, when the latter would almost to a certainty have scored, and Barron and Gibson showed up well in attacking Reynolds. Devey put in a fine run but Johnston stopped him, and this was followed by a good dribble and shot on the part of Stanfield. Holt was very useful in stopping Irish rushes, and the Irishmen playing with great spirit and determination had the hardest of luck in not scoring. It looked as if another was about to be added to the already long series of English victories, but immediately before the whistle blew Gibson ably backed up by Stanfield got the ball through and equalised, the match ending in a draw. This score hardly represents the play accurately for Ireland the better of the match.
   

Villa's first home defeat gave their rivals the opportunity to close the gap, but the defending champions, Sunderland, aiming for a historic hat-trick of titles, still had seven points to make up..