Officials       

Not a goal was scored at Wrexham yesterday, and the 24th match between the countries was drawn. As the play went, England could be well satisfied to escape defeat, for they had distinctly the worst of the game. They certainly beat the home defence twice, but on neither occasion was a goal allowed, and even those most interested confessed that Wales showed so much the better form that their defeat would not have indicated the merits of the teams on the afternoon... The English forwards never settled down to anything approaching a correct passing game, and for the most part their individual efforts were poor. The halves were no better, and though Crompton and Crabtree got through an enormous amount of work, both ocassionally lacked certainty in kicking. Fortunately, George did nothing wrong, but most of the shots sent in to him lacked power. The great thing about the Welshman's play was dash. No side could have been keener on winning, and really from start to finish they held their rivals. The half-backs did particularly well, Parry, only a reserve for Liverpool, quite spoiling Foster and Lipsham, and the backs scarcely ever failed. Both the wings were excellent. Meredith and Watkins constantly proving too clever for Needham, while Williams and R. Morris met with almost equal success against Wilkes. Morris, the smallest player on the field, worked splendidly, being fast and clever. He constantly got the ball, and shot more than any of his colleagues. Near goal the Welshmen were somewhat weak, or they must have won, but the rough, uneven turf on the Wrexham racecourse is all against accurate dribbling and shooting, so errors could be well excused.
   The weather proved pleasantly fine, though cloudy, and the biggest crowd remembered at an Association match in Wales assembled, the official return of the gate being over 10,000. With a rather stiff breeze helping them, Wales forced matters when the game began at about quarter to four. George had a long shot from Meredith to stop, and Abbott got the ball away. For some time the visitors did most of the attacking. Foster worked the ball down nicely, and passed to Lipsham, who centred finely, Safar volleying into goal; but Roose saved at the expense of a corner, and Wales obtained relief through a foul. Although the subsequent play was fairly even, England were the more often troublesome near goal, and Roose had a very hot shot from Lipsham to clear, while Foster, Sagar, and Hogg set up another attack, which came to nothing. The Welsh halves played strongly to give the English forwards much chance, however, and Wales gradually asserted themselves. From a pass by Watkins. Meredith sent in a tremendous shot, which George got rid of skilfully. Then Williams spoiled a dribble Morris through getting off-side. The game was carried on at a great pace, and Bloomer looked to have scored a good goal from a pass by Foster, but we was given offside, and soon afterwards England were awarded a penalty because of Meredith handling the ball, but Needham failed to score. As the game progressed the Welshmen improved, while their opponents deteriorated, and only sound defence, in which Crompton and Abbott were conspicuous, checked many spirited attacks just before half-time.
   Play was at once resumed, and it quickly became evident that the Welshmen were lasting the better. They were always attacking.  Morris and Meredith did especially well, and the half backs gave such admirable help that the visiting forwards scarcely ever broke away. George had a shot from Meredith to clear, and then Morris put the ball just outside, while Crabtree was lucky to intercept a straight shot from Parry with his leg. Crompton also managed to keep out a shot. For quite a long time the ball never went to Roose. At last, however, the Englishmen roused themselves, and Hogg got down the right wing. He sent in a high shot, which Roose punched out, and Foster, receiving the ball, volleyed it back into the net. The referee pointed to the centre, and it seemed that England had scored, but, upon appeal by the Welsh backs, the point was disallowed, the explanation afterwards being that Roose had been impeded by one of the English forwards. Following this, Wales again monopolised the play. Meredith forced a corner, from which Morris headed into George, who punched out, and then Meredith dribbled round Needham, his shot going only just too high. Still Wales attacked, and from a centre by Meredith Parry greatly troubled George, who saved extremely well. This was the last point of interest in a game from which from the English point of view could only be considered disappointing.
   

At Wrexham yesterday, Wales had a better team than for many years past, and they drew with England, not a goal being scored. Had luck favoured the Welshmen they might well have won, as, indeed, they deserved to, for they had distinctly the larger share of the play, but the uneven turf on the Wrexham Racecourse, which is practically in furrows, was all against accurate shooting...The fine play of the home team greatly delighted 10,000 spectators, the biggest crowd ever attracted to an international match in Wales.
   

At the end of half-an-hour's play one of the spectators, hungering perhaps for the stimulating hubbub that usually accompanies Saturday afternoon football, appealed for a livelier entertainment. "Now then, you English players with big names," he shouted, "do something to wake up this crowd or we shall hear pins dropping." "Something" was "done" immediately afterwards, and the crowd awakened from its lethargy to enjoy the tension of excitement over a penalty kick. One of the Welsh players fouled Sagar within the twelve yards line, and the ball was placed for Needham to kick it. Penalty kicks are a good tonic for sluggishness. The chances are so greatly in favour of the kicker. And when he is magnificently frustrated by a goalkeeper who stops the ball as cleverly as Roose did to-day there is really something worth shouting about.