Officials       

At Portsmouth yesterday England gained a very narrow victory over Wales by two goals to one. Heavy rain on Sunday, and again yesterday up to within an hour of the kick-off, had reduced the field at Fratton Park to a very muddy condition, but the players overcame the difficulties against which they had to contend in remarkable fashion, and the football from start to finish was of the highest class.
  The wretched weather of the morning spoilt the gate, which numbered between four and five thousand, the takings amounting to £246. A strong wind prevailed, but as it blew mainly across the ground, Wales did not benefit much by winning the toss.
   Still during the first few minutes the English goal had one or two narrow escapes. A. Morris soon testing, and a corner being forced, while Green sent right across the goal mouth. Gradually the Englishmen settled down. Davis sending in a fine centre, and the same player bringing off some neat combination in conjunction with Garraty. Next came a long shot by Johnson, and a good centre by Corbett. Atherton tried a long shot, but without effect, and in twelve minutes England scored their first goal. It resulted mainly from the work of Davis, who raced away and centred well. Blew tried to clear, but he merely kicked the ball over to Bache, who at close range beat Evans. The Villa player would have been offside had not Blew touched the ball.
   For some little time afterwards England maintained the upper hand, and forced one or two corners, their forwards showing remarkable accuracy considering the slippery nature of the turf. Soon, however, the aspect of the game changed. Wales being repeatedly dangerous, and helped by the uncertainty of Molyneux and Crompton, Atherton and A. Morris in turn tried to score. A pretty piece of play, in which Johnson, Davis, and Garraty were concerned, then placed the Welsh goal in temporary danger. Davis heading in and Forman putting over the bar. This, however, was the only real breakaway by England for some time. T. Davies had a shot at goal, and Watkins next caused Sutcliffe to handle. Then followed two corners to the visitors in quick succession, and again Watkins nearly scored, Sutcliffe saving smartly. Watkins, indeed, was for a time the most conspicuous man on the field, but Molyneux checked him on one occasion, and Crompton saved at the expense of a corner. Just before the interval the English goal had an exceptionally narrow escape, Atherton sent in a stinging shot; Sutcliffe came out, and with his hand turned the ball on to the post. Luckily for the home side the ball rebounded a yard or so into the field of play, and Sutcliffe getting a second chance averted all danger. England led at half-time by one goal to none, but it will be understood that they were very lucky to do so.
   Wales again started off vigorously on resuming, but they were twice pulled up for offside, and had one or two fouls given against them, although no serious exception could be taken to their methods. Within ten minutes the visitors equalised by a pretty piece of work. Atherton and Morris came away, the latter finishing with a good centre to Watkins, who sent the ball into the corner of the net, well clear of Sutcliffe, the success of the Welshmen being loudly cheered.
   Following a brief interruption, caused by a slight injury to T. Davies, England improved, but they lacked the resolute methods of their opponents, and could never get very near goal. Fine work by Parry and Meredith looked like giving Wales a second point, but Green, when well placed, kicked over the bar. A good shot by Woodward was stopped, and at the other end Watkins lifted over the bar. At length the Englishmen roused themselves to better efforts, and met with their reward. A movement, started by Houlker, and in which Woodward, Garraty, and Davis shared, was temporarily checked by C. Morris kicking out. Following the throw-in, however, the ball came out to Davis, who tested Evans at close range. The Welsh goalkeeper really could not clear, and Davis hooked the ball round in front of goal. An attempt to head through by Corbett was stopped, but to no purpose, Bache and Woodward rushing up, and the latter forcing the ball between the posts.
   Wales still tried hard, but Crompton and Molyneux showing form vastly superior to that which had characterised their efforts at starting, saved the home side several times, when an equalising goal appeared quite possible. During the last few minutes the Englishmen forced two corners, but there was no more goal getting, the match ending.