Officials       

Punctual to the advertised time—in fact, quite four minutes before 3.30—the English team, in their clean white jerseys and dark knickers, trotted down the steps of the pavilion, and the men were received with hearty cheering. They quickly set to work with the ball, and, after a kick or two, the more sombre-looking Scots in dark jerseys and white knickers, ran nimbly on to the field. Needless to say they had a hearty ovation. The home captain won toss, and opened by defending the West-End goal. The first send-off by the visitors was momentarily stopped, and a little scrambling in mid-field set every one's teeth on edge. All were watching Cowan, upon whom many Scottish hopes were set. Promptly the Aston Villan was there. In an instant almost, at all events in less than three minutes from the start, the English forwards had a great chance, and lightning-like the ball was sent into the Scottish net, and Wheldon had the credit of first blood, thereby gaining the splendid bicycle offered by an enterprising firm to the scorer of the first goal. Play changed ends, and quite an unearthly howl went up as the Scottish forwards ran up abreast of Robinson. Relief came, however, and the attack was lost. Wreford-Brown in his own quarter skied a ball which was caught and run ahead by Gibson. This was stopped, and a great rush up was beautifully stopped by Drummond. The English division were at this juncture full of energy, bordering almost on nervousness. And were brought up again by the Rangers' man on the right wing. He had a splendid try, but the leather went sailing over. The play went to mid-field, and the English players combining well, got to the front of Anderson sent in a strong message, but Drummond was ready and cleverly nullified the attack. Williams close to the touch line, had a back heel kick that was caught by Campbell, who ran up and sent it over, Bell, too, had a run all to himself, and the ball was looking dangerous. When its progress was stopped a close mid-field play was again the order of the day. Several fouls were now failing to Scotland's lot, but the Northern men did not have the luck to profit thereby, and rushing up the English forwards beat the opposing backs, and sent in a message that was cleverly accounted for by Anderson, the Scots custodian. The somewhat wafery and glaring sun now shone for a little, and the Englishmen had it all in their eyes. Nevertheless, they worked smartly and well, Wheldon, Bloomer, and Needham putting in splendid efforts in saving, running up, and placing individually, and in combination. The strongholds were in turn visited by each forward division, but the back defence was in each instance equal to the attack, and so the game was carried forth and back again, testing the pace and power of each man, and putting to the test the resource of almost every player on the field. A great bit of open play resulted in all moving up to the front of the Scottish stronghold, when Bloomer with a splendid open chance sent the ball into the net, thus scoring goal number two for England. Nervously speedy play ensued, and it was apparent that the visitors were the quickest on the ball; their passing was also good, but the Scottish lot seemed to have more weight and power. They did not score, however, nor could they in any particular break down the opposing backs. Half-time score—ENGLAND Two goals SCOTLAND Nil.
  Captain Cowan had transposed his men for the concluding portion of play, Maxwell took inside left, Miller outside left, and Campbell centre. This looked better, although many would have wished that Drummond had been in his favourite place. He, however, had been doing as much and perhaps more than was expected of him. The home men had apparently made up their minds to force the play, and this they did to no little purpose. They rushed up, and the forwards were soon in possession, but the ball was sent past. Another attack was made in turn by the Englishmen, but Robertson was ready. Play veered from end to end, and after no little manœuvring Miller got up, and sent through a low, swift shot that beat Robinson, and put Scotland within one of the rival team. Immediately afterwards the Scottish forwards were on the ball, made another rush up, shot, but the leather went past amid cries of 'Hard lines!' Goal kick and corner for Scotland followed, but nothing came of the chance. Bell, Williams, Gibson, and Robertson were conspicuous at this juncture, each putting in good hard work, but the back division of each team was fast, firm, nimble, sure, and determinedly successful in repelling the advances of the opposing forwards. It was now apparent that Scotland was to drop for the year, and although her sons made grand efforts and endeavoured to confuse the English lot, it was to no purpose. The wings worked neatly, and there was some very fine passing that at some times was taken advantage of, and at others was woefully lost. After some earnest give and take work, G. O. Smith passed to Bloomer and the Derby County man put in goal number three for England. In no wise shaken off, the Scots pied themselves to the task in hand, and were playing neatly and well, but not to the same purpose as the more nimble representatives of England, who now acting on the defensive, stopped all further advances, and managed to score the eighth win to the credit of Old England.