Match Summary

Italy Team

England Team

MILAN, May 13.--England, playing the first match of their Continental tour, drew with Italy in Milan this afternoon, each side scoring two goals. This was the third time the countries have met and, apart from a certain amount of doubt about Italy's second goal, the game was played in a most friendly and sporting atmosphere. A crowd of 60,000 people watched the match.

Rain, which had fallen steadily for hours before the kick-off, cast a distinct gloom over the Italians, as the soft condition of the ground was all in favour of the English style of play. This was particularly noticeable in the first half...

At the nineteenth minute Foni, under severe pressure, conceded a corner on the right. Matthews took the kick, and Olivieri, who appeared to be unsighted, was beaten by a header from Lawton...

The second half began with England attacking, but the Italians fought back strongly, and within two minutes they equalized. Biavati, gathering a pass from De Petrini, made ground down the wing, beat Mercer and Hapgood, and gave Woodley no sort of a chance with a hard, rising shot. This success filled the Italians with just the confidence they needed, and 16 minutes later they took the lead. Biavati centred the ball from the right, and Colaussi, closely marked by Male and Hapgood, went for it. The ball ran through to Piola, who hooked it into the net. English players protested that Piola had knocked the ball down with his hand to control it, but the referee, after consulting a linesman, allowed the goal to stand. Italy now dropped back on the defensive and packed their goal, but 13 minutes from the end Hall found an opening for a shot which beat Olivieri, who was apparently unsighted again.--Reuter. - The Times - Monday 15th May, 1939

ENGLISH TEAMS ON THE CONTINENT

English sides continue to do well on the Continent. Arsenal, playing the second match of their Scandinavian tour, easily beat Noorkoeping by eight goals to two on Saturday, before a record crowd of 20,000 people, while Wolverhampton Wanderers won by five goals to none against a combined Danish international side in Copenhagen. Leeds United also were successful, beating a combined Oslo side by two goals to none. Bolton Wanderers beat Bergen by four goals to none.--Reuter. - The Times - Monday 15th May, 1939

Arsenal were without Hapgood (the captain) and Male, who were playing against Italy in Milan, whilst Leeds were without Wilf Copping, who was a reserve against Italy, and Wolves were without Cullis, who was also playing against Italy, and Morris, who was a reserve.

Following a goalless draw in the Glasgow Merchants Charity Cup Final between Rangers and Third Lanark at Hampden Park, Glasgow, Rangers were awarded the trophy on a 7-4 corner count.

IN OTHER NEWS...

It was on 14 May 1939 that 16-year-old housemaid, Winifred Higgs died when St Cyprian's School for boys at Eastbourne burnt down in the early hours. All of the pupils escaped, but the cook and housemaids were on the top floor. The cook made it onto the roof where she was rescued by firemen, and the maids escaped down the fire escape, where Miss Higgs fell onto a flat roof and died from her injuries.

Source Notes

TheFA.com
FIGC.it
Original newspaper reports
Rothman's yearbooks
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CG