Officials       

For the fifth year in succession, England have proved the victors in the international match with the Irish representatives, but we have to go back to 1882 for a more decisive beating. Then England won by 13 goals to love, at Belfast. On Saturday, at Sunderland, the score was 13 goals to two. The match was played on the Roker Park Ground, in beautiful weather, before about 14,000 spectators. England won the toss, and elected to play from the south end of the field, but there was little or no advantage gained, the wind being so light. Waring started the leather, and Williams had to clear a smart attack. Fred Forman came to the front with a nice burst, and put in the ball, which struck Milne's foot, and rebounded into the Irish goal, thus opening the Englishmen's score. A fine combined run by Fred Forman and Settle led to the second goal for England, Forman sending in a shot which Lewis had no chance with. They game had only restarted when the speedy Athersmith rushed up the field, and beat the Irish custodian with a beautiful shot. This was the third goal for England, and before the spectators had fairly settled down again, Smith, who had been playing a rare game at centre, tipped the ball into the net for a fourth time. It was plainly seen that the Irishmen were outclassed, both as regards speed and combination. Bloomer was ruled offside just as Smith had sent through. Ireland broke away again, and from a centre Milne kicked wide. At length Hillman was called upon to save for the first time, Mercer attacking. A splendid run by Athersmith took the ball from mid-field, passing all opponents, and when near the goal he passed to Bloomer, who banged the leather into the net for the fifth time. After the restart, the Irishmen made a short incursion, but the shooting of the forwards was weak. Some clever passing was then shown by England. The Irish defence was most severely tested and it required all the efforts of the backs to keep the goal intact, for when the whistle was blown for half-time, the Englishmen were pressing with the score:—England five goals, Ireland nil.
  The teams re-entered the field at two minutes to four. England coming on first. The game restarted at four o'clock. A penalty kick, given for England because Lewis fouled Bloomer, resulted in nothing, the goalkeeper saving. For a few minutes each goal was visited in turn, then Athersmith worked the ball right down on the wing, and ended by sending to Forman, who had no difficulty in beating Lewis with a low shot. The Irishmen next broke away, but another player was ruled off-side, and play was deflected into the Irish territory, and two goals followed in rapid succession, G.O. Smith and Settle doing the needful. For the next five minutes play was of a give and take character, the ball hovering about the centre line. At length Smith dashed away, and took the ball to the Irish goal mouth. Here play was slightly deflected, but Needham rushed into the breach and scored the ninth goal for England. Shortly after, a corner fell to England. The ball was well placed, but an Englishman headed over. Lewis was called upon to save some very dangerous shots after a period of pressure, Smith scored yet another goal from a smart pass from Fred Forman. A corner was conceded to the Irishmen. Shortly after the Hibernians pressed hard, McAllen and Mercer doing some good work, sending in a few grounders, compelling Bach to kick out, which he did splendidly. Mercer planted the ball right into Hillman, but the custodian expeditiously threw away. The Irish attack was very determined, but the English defence was superb. The next goal, No. 11, was got by Forman, as the result of very smart play. The English territory was next invaded, and Williams was called upon to clear his lines; the Irishmen still pressed, and Mercer was conspicuous for his plucky play. He sent in a shot which grazed the upright. He was loudly cheered for this effort. Two corners followed for Ireland. The first one was ineffective, but the second one resulted in a penalty kick. McAllen took the kick, and scored the first goal for Ireland, Hillman being unable to save. The penalty was given through Crabtree tripping Wattie. Lewis was next called upon twice to save; the ball had been worked down by the English forwards, and after Lewis saved twice, Settle put through easily. From the restart the Irish custodian had a warm time, the Englishmen sending in repeated attempts, Frank Forman being particularly busy. The Irishmen seemed to deteriorate as the time proceeded, and whilst they had at the beginning of play been good, towards the latter part the back rank seemed incapable to prevent their opponents scoring goals in an easy manner. Bloomer came from the centre of the field, and sent in a thundering shot, which, however, went among the spectators. Athersmith next called upon Lewis, and a visit to the English goal followed, and a corner was conceded [to] the Irishmen. The kick resulted in nothing. Campbell, however, returned to the attack, and put on the second goal for Ireland. It was the best goal of the afternoon, and Campbell was loudly cheered. He tried the same tactics a minute later, but they did not come off a second time. The Irish territory was then invaded, and Athersmith had no difficulty in adding another goal to England's big total just before the end.