Officials        

In most delightful weather the sixteenth annual contest, under Association rules. between representative teams of England and Ireland, was played on Saturday at Trent Bridge, Nottingham. Some rain had fallen during the night, but the turf, if a little soft, was by no means in bad condition, and despite the fact, much commented upon in Nottingham, of there being no Notts man in the English team, a company of between 10,000 and 12,000 people assembled to witness the game. If anything the afternoon was too bright and warm for football, but the players kept to their work manfully, and the game, although one-sided, was fought out with great keenness on both sides, and it may be added, in the best possible spirit. With England placing in the field not, as was the practice a few years ago, a purely amateur or purely professional team, but what may fairly be regarded as the full strength of the country, it was scarcely expected that the representatives of the sister Isle would have much chance of reducing the big balance of defeats standing against them, and this anticipation was duly verified, the Englishmen showing the better football throughout, and winning handsomely by six goals to none. Ireland, as had been previously announced, made one change from the side originally selected, Darling playing inside right instead of Peden, while in the English eleven, the disablement of Bassett, of West Bromwich Albion, made room for Athersmith, of Aston Villa. Although outplayed in nearly every respect the Irishmen showed plenty of pace forward, but there was n finish in their work, and even on the few occasions that they got in front of the English goal, they always blundered. Milne struggled manfully at centre-half, but neither M'Master or Pyper were able to cope with the formidable wing he had to face. Torrans and Ponsonby kicked and tackled well at times, and Scott saved several fine shots, but the defence of the Irishmen looked very poor against the brilliant work of the English forwards. Smith led his men with great coolness and judgment, passing out skilfully, and both Bloomer and Athersmith, who worked together admirable, were in great form. Wheldon kicked most successfully at times, and took his passes well, but he gave Bradshaw very few chances of distinction. At half-back Needham was splendid, Crawshaw cool and skilful, and Middleditch tackled his men ably and untiringly. Oakley carried off the honours at back, and Robinson, if not much was required of him, did all for which he was called upon.
  Stanfield kicked off for Ireland, and within the first minute a slip by Needham, who afterwards played admirably, nearly let in the Irishmen. However, a moment afterwards Bloomer broke away and shot, but Ponsonby stopped the ball, and kicked up to Williams. Next came a free kick to England, and though Athersmith made a good attempt, Scott cleared. During the next few minutes Scott was twice called upon to save shots from Wheldon, but the Irish goalkeeper proved equal to the demand made upon his resources. The Irish forwards broke away, and Williams blundering, Stanfield had a fine opening, but he failed to make use of it, and directly afterwards the ball was back at the other end, where Athersmith centring, Wheldon kicked over the bar. Darling next sent in a shot at Robinson, the Englishman duly clearing, but just afterwards Ireland forced a corner off Oakley. The ball, however, was at once kicked up field, Bloomer racing away, and passing to Smith, who returned to Bloomer, and the Derby man scored the first goal for England within a quarter of an hour of the start. Encouraged by this success England pressed hard. Wheldon and Bloomer in turn each having a shot at goal, and from a free kick Williams sent the ball over the line. As a change Ireland had a free kick and then a corner, but for the most part play was at the Irish end, where on two occasions Wheldon shot when he would have done much better to pass out to Bradshaw. The second goal for England came from a run and centre by Athersmith. Scott got on the ball, and dropped up field, but 'hands' presumably had been given against one of the backs, and following the free kick (taken by Needham), Wheldon, to whom the ball was passed, was enabled to put the ball into the net. Very shortly afterwards, England obtained their third success, Bloomer and Athersmith taking the ball down together, and kicking across to Wheldon, who, with a clever side shot, scored another goal. Directly after the kick-off the Irishmen raced away, and Campbell put the ball into the net, but the referee had blown his whistle for off-side. Later on came some more severe pressure on the Irish lines. First of all came some work between Athersmith, Wheldon, and Bloomer, Scott saving; then a corner to England, when Needham put the ball just outside the post, and afterwards a fine pass by Smith to Bloomer, who missed his chance. A foul, given against Williams, afforded the Irishmen a good opening, which was not taken advantage of. At the other end the home team looked dangerous, when 'hands' were given against Smith, and a run and kick by Athersmith resulted in the Villa forward dropping the ball on to the net. Just before half-time, Milne got through, and passing to Hall, the latter should have scored, but he kicked over, ends being changed with the score:—England 3 goals Ireland 0 goal.
  The players were away rather a long time, but on resuming Ireland had speedily to act on the defensive. A long dropping shot by Athersmith touched the bar, and Scott had to concede a corner. Another corner quickly followed, and then Smith, having the ball put up to him by Needham, kicked only just over, while Wheldon failed to make proper use of a centre by Athersmith. However, not long afterwards, there was a scrimmage in front of the Irish goal, and Wheldon put the ball into the Irish net. Following this fourth score came some of the prettiest combination of the whole match, Athersmith and Bloomer taking the ball three-parts of the field in masterly fashion, but Wheldon shot outside. At length the Irishmen relieved the pressure, and Robinson had to keep out shots from Milne and Campbell, but he was never really hard pressed, and soon again the home team were displaying their superiority. Bloomer getting away, Scott had to put forth and especially fine effort to clear. Despite this good piece of defensive work Scott had no relief, and Smith, coming away down the centre, passed out to Athersmith, who scored an easy goal. Then came an unpleasant incident. Williams, in failing, put up his feet, accidentally or otherwise, and the referee gave a penalty kick against England. Milne was entrusted with what should, of course, have been an easy goal, but failed badly. Later on a goal, by Bloomer was disallowed for off-side, but after a corner to Ireland, the English right wing came away once more, and Bloomer scored. This was the last notable occurrence, and the game ending in favour of England.