For the first time for 17 years
Scotland gained, at Celtic Park, Glasgow, on Saturday, a really decisive
victory over England in the big international match of the Association
season. Within this period the Scotchmen have been able to claim several
successes, but the margin in their favour had never until Saturday
exceeded a single goal. In the 29th game, however, the Scottish players
exhibited superiority at all points, except in the matter of
goalkeeping, and won in the end by four goals to one. An immense crowd,
estimated at between 60,000 and 65,000 people, assembled to witness the
struggle, which, except for a slight breeze blowing across the ground,
took place under most favourable conditions. Amongst those present was
Lord Rosebery, an old patron of the Scottish Football Association, and
as a compliment to him the pavilion was adorned with his racing colours,
while the Scottish players abandoned the customary dark blue for the
primrose and pink. His lordship on arriving at the ground met with an
enthusiastic reception from the spectators, and at the finish--when
Scotland had won so triumphantly--had to yield to the demand for a
speech...
In less than a minute after the
kick off a centre by A. Smith was smartly seized upon by McColl, who
with a hard right foot kick sent the ball between the posts at a
tremendous pace, Robinson being quite unable to get near it. This first
score by Scotland was followed five minutes later by another goal from
Bell, but in the second instance the work which led up to a point being
recorded against England was unfortunately associated with a somewhat
serious accident to Oakley. Walker dribbled down cleverly, and, the
English back looking in danger of being beaten, Robinson rushed out to
clear. In a kind of scrimmage which ensued both Robinson and Oakley
fell, and Bell, being at hand, had no one to prevent him from putting
the ball between the posts. Oakley did not rise, and it first it was
feared he had sustained an injury which would prevent him from taking
further part in the game. Matters were not quite so bad as that, for in
a few minutes he resumed, but he was obviously quite dazed, and in the
evening the doctor, finding him suffering from slight concussion of the
brain, forbade him travelling back to England that night...
...within half an hour he was
beaten for the third time. This goal was the result primarily of some
neat work between A. Smith and Campbell, but the chief credit belonged
to McColl, whose shot--a stinging one sent in from some considerable
distance--whizzed past Robinson at a pace which no one could have
stopped. A minute or two later came England's one success, Athersmith
running down and, getting rather the better of Drummond and Bloomer,
putting the ball between the posts...
...within a minute or two of
half-time Bell came away, and, easily eluding Oakley, sent in a fine
centre to McColl, who neatly kicked through, out of Robinson's reach...
Of the 29 matches now played
between the two countries, Scotland have won 14, England nine, and six
have been drawn.
- The Times - Monday 9th
April, 1900
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