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7 vs. Scotland

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10 vs. Scotland
Saturday, 5 April 1879
Association Friendly Match
 
England 5 Scotland 4
[1-4]
 
match postponed from Saturday, 1 March 1879 because of a frozen pitch
The Surrey County Cricket Ground, The Oval, Kennington, London, Surrey, SE
Kick-off (London Time): 'Play began at about ten minutes past three'; 'play had been advertised to start at four o'clock'; 'shortly after four o'clock a very fine game commenced...at about 4.20'.
Attendance: 'probably between three and four thousand'; 'in the presence of about 4,000 spectators'; 'it is computed between four and five thousand spectators were present'.


















Season Record
England's fifth visit to The Oval, to London, and to Surrey, third victory
Henry Wace kicked-off Charles Campbell won the toss
[1-0] Billy Mosforth 9
 'shot'

[1-1] Henry Wace goal disallowed:offside
 
This appears to be the first time that England had a goal disallowed

[1-1] Billy MacKinnon back heel 25
'Campbell headed to M'Kinnon, who, with a back-kick, sent it through'
[1-2] John McDougall 30
'foot'
[1-3] John Smith 35
[1-4] Billy MacKinnon 41
 'well kicked'
[2-4] Charlie Bambridge 48
 
"made one of the most magnificent runs we have ever witnessed", 'kicked'
[3-4] Arthur Goodyer 60
 'kick'

[4≡4]Robert Parlane own goal 75
 
'scrimmage from a Bailey throw-in'
 
notes: Parlane or Bailey?

[5-4] Charlie Bambridge 83
 'finely kicked'
The Athletic News match report credits Mackinnon with three goals, but the second came out of a scrimmage in front of the goal, and is usually attributed to McDougall


<England's first ever equalising goal

[4-4] disallowed goal - Scotland; offside
"The weather was very dull and threatening, but happily the rain kept off till after the conclusion of the game. Later on it fell heavily" Played according to FA rules.
   

Match Summary

Officials [umpires and referees are of equal relevance] England Party Team Records

Scotland

Umpires

"After the selection of the players, the match was postponed in consequence of the weather" - 26 February 1879.
"This association match has been looked forward to for some time with great interest by football players, and should have been played to-morrow at The Oval, Kennington. Unfortunately, however, the weather has been of so unfavourable a character that the Football Association Committee have deemed a postponement advisable, and the game will most likely be played on April 5, the day of the Oxford and Cambridge Boatrace. - The Times, Friday, 28 February 1879
Hon. Arthur Fitzgerald Kinnaird
32 (16 February 1847), London
(FA Treasurer)
Robert Bell Colquhoun
Dumbarton (1853)
(SFA vice-President);
played against England 1873
Referee
Charles Henry Reynolds Wollaston
(replaced Major Marindin)
29 (31 July 1849), Felpham, Sussex (Wanderers FC).
played with England 1874-77
   
England Team
Rank No official ranking system established;
ELO rating 2nd
Colours White shirts with the English Arms in black on the breast, white shorts.

Captain
Henry Wace Selection Following three trial games, The Football Association Committee with Secretary Charles W. Alcock having the primary influence
only match, W 1 - D 0 - L 0 - F 5 - A 4.   P 9 of 31, W 3 - D 2 - L 4 - F 17 - A 24.
  team chosen at The Oval. on Wednesday, 26 February 1879, and again on Saturday, 29 March
England Lineup
(eight changes to the previous match)

ten

  Birkett, Reginald H. 30
8 days
28 March 1849 G Clapham Rovers FC 1 4ᵍᵃ
62 only app 1879
63   Christian, Edward 20
203 days
14 September 1858 Backs Old Etonians AFC & Cambridge University AFC 1 0
only app 1879
64   Morse, Harold 19
122 days
4 December 1859 Notts County FC 1 0
third youngest England player so far only app 1879
65   Prinsep, James F.M. 17
252 days
27 July 1861
in Simla, India
Half
Backs
Clapham Rovers FC 1 0
youngest England player so far  & first player born in 1860's only app 1879
Bailey, Norman C. 21
256 days
23 July 1857 Old Westminsters AFC & Clapham Rovers FC 3 0
66   Hills, Arnold F. 22
24 days
12 March 1857 IR Old Harrovians AFC 1 0
only app 1879
67 Goodyer, Arthur C. 24
186 days
1 October 1854 OR Nottingham Forest FC 1 1
 tenth player to score on his debut the first Forester to represent England only app 1879
7 Wace, Henry 25
196 days
21 September 1853 Centre
Forward
Wanderers FC & Clapham Rovers FC 3 0
final  app 1878-79
68   Sparks, Francis J. 23
275 days
4 July 1855 Hertfordshire Rangers FC & Clapham Rovers FC 1 0
69 Bambridge, E. Charles 20
249 days
30 July 1858 IL Swifts FC 1 2
second player to score a brace youngest so far =mst gls
Mosforth, William 21
93 days
2 January 1858 OL Sheffield Albion FC 4      1
reserves: Charles Hammond (Cambridge University AFC), Lindsay Bury (Old Etonians AFC), Edwin Ellis (Grey Friars FC), Robert Hedley (Royal Engineers FC), William Page (Oxford University AFC), Harry Cursham (Notts County FC), Harry Sedgwick (Old Etonians AFC).
team changes: The original team named on 26 February line-up included Old Etonians AFC's Lindsay Bury, Nottingham Forest FC's Edwin Luntley and Sam Widdowson, Oxford University AFC's George Childs and Royal Engineers FC's Robert Hedley.
The original reserves were Hammond, Francis Tuck (Cambridge University AFC), Prinsep, Tommy Britten (Grantham FC), Cursham and Ted Earp (Nottingham Forest FC).
team notes: Charlie Bambridge's brother, Ernest, played for England in 1876 - fifth set of brothers to play.
Harry Cursham's brother, Arthur, also played for England 1876-79.
As Wanderers FC often used the Surrey Cricket Ground to play their home matches, then Wacewas playing on one of his home grounds.
records: This is the first time England have scored more than four goals since 1873,
and also the first time England have won two matches in a row, both at The Oval.
It also marks the second time that England are victorious from a losing position, but the first time they have had to overcome a three-goal deficit.
The second match to feature two teenagers starting.
Billy Mosforth on his fourth outing, becomes the most experienced England player to score a goal.

A new record of five different goalscorers throughout the season/year.
 

2-2-6

 Birkett -
Christian, Morse -
Prinsep, Bailey -
Hills, Goodyer, Wace, Sparks, Bambridge, Mosforth.
Averages: Age 22 years 169 days Appearances/Goals 1.6 0.5
youngest starting XI until 1882
England previous teams vs. Scotland:
1878: Warner Hunter Lyttelton Jarrett Bailey Fairclough Wylie Cursham Wace Heron Mosforth
1879: Birkett Christian Morse Prinsep Hills Goodyer Wace Sparks Bambridge
Scotland Team
 
Rank No official ranking system established;
ELO rating 1st
Colours Dark blue shirts, white shorts.
Captain Charles Campbell Selection The Scottish Football Association Selection Committee
P 5 of 8, W 4 - D 0 - L 1 - F 20 - A 8
Scotland Lineup
  Parlane, Robert 32
90 days
5 January 1847 G Vale of Leven FC 2 5ᵍᵃ
The first ever own goal scored for England oldest opposition player so far
     
45   Somers, William Scott 25
134 days
22 November 1853 Backs Queen's Park FC 1 0
3 Vallance, Thomas 22
313 days
27 May 1856 Rangers FC 4 0
  Campbell, Charles 25
75 days
20 January 1854 Half
Backs
Queen's Park FC 6 1
46   McPherson, John Campbell McLeod 24/25 1854 Vale of Leven FC 1 0
47   Beveridge, William 20
129 days
27 November 1858 Forward Ayr Academy FC 1 0
Smith, John 23
236 days
12 August 1855 Mauchline FC 3 1
McDougall, John 24
361 days
9 April 1854 Vale of Leven FC 4 4
48   Paton, Robert 24/25 1854 Vale of Leven FC 1 0
MacKinnon, William Muir 27
77 days
18 January 1852 Queen's Park FC 9 5
mst apps =mst gls
final app 1872-79
  McNiel, Henry 26/27 1853 Queen's Park FC 7 5
=mst gls
reserves: David Davidson junior (Queen's Park FC), Peter Campbell (Rangers FC).
team notes: Scotland remained with the same team that was named for the 1 March match.
records: Bill MacKinnon has now scored five goals against England, making him the record opposing goalscorer, as well as record world goalscorer, alongside McNiel. MacKinnon also holds the world appearance record.
 
2-2-6 Parlane -
Somers, Vallance -
Campbell, McPhesron -
Beveridge, Smith, McDougall, Paton, MacKinnon, McNiel
Averages: Age 25 years 22-121 days Appearances/Goals 3.5 1.5
oldest opposing XI until 1893?
'In the evening the two elevens, with the committee of the Football Association, dined at the Freemasons' Tavern.' - Monday, 7 April 1879, Glasgow Evening Post
  
       The Own Goal:-
'a throw-in fell to England close to the goal line. This was so well done by Bailey that although the Scotch goalkeeper touched the ball, it passed between the posts.' - Glasgow Herald, Monday, 7 April 1879

'Bailey soon afterwards having a throw-in close to the corner flag, pIanted the ball in the very mouth of the goal, and although Parlane tried to stop it the ball passed through off his hand.' - The Times, Monday, 7 April 1879

'The ball went into touch close to their lines, and Bailey aimed the ball right in front of the goal, and although struck by Parlane it glanced between the posts.' - The Field, Saturday, 5 April 1879

'Then Bailey, with a well-directed throw-in, caused a scrimmage to be formed right in front of the Scotch goal, which, despite the worthy efforts of Parlane, fell before the enemy'. - Bell's Life, Saturday, 5 April 1879

For the matter of arguments sake:
The
Leeds Mercury; 7 April 1879:'out of a comfortable bully the Scottish flag, figuratively was lowered through the combined efforts of Sparks, Mosforth, Goodyear, Bailey, and Wace'! and The Belfast News-letter; 7 April 1879: 'a fourth was secured out of a scrimmage.' and finally, The Athletic News; 9 April 1879: 'out of a desperate scrummage'.
 
       Match Report Sheffield Daily Telegraph, Monday, 7 April 1879

Kennington Oval presented quite a holiday appearance on Saturday afternoon, on the occasion of the eighth international match between England and Scotland according to the rules of the Football Association rules. The weather was not altogether favourable, as the sky was dull, and occasionally there were drops of rain, but the ground was in splendid condition, and the play throughout was so fast that the game elicited a far greater amount of excitement than any match we have ever seen in London. Play was announced to begin at four o'clock, but it was nearly a quarter of an hour later before the English captain kicked off, Campbell, who had won the toss for Scotland, having chosen to occupy the western goal with the wind at his back. The English forwards were very quick on the ball, and Sparks and Wace in the centre were particularly busy in their attentions to the Scotch half-backs. The Scotch back play, which was excellent throughout, for a short time kept the English at bay, but at length, Bailey, skilfully directing the ball to Mosforth, the little Sheffielder shot it between the English posts to the evident gratification of the partisans of England. On the resumption of hostilities the play became brisk on both sides, and McNeil was vociferously applauded for two very fine runs along the lower side, in both of which he completely outplayed his opponents. Wace, Sparks, and Mosforth retorted with a sharp run into Scottish territory, but Smith and M'Kinnon in the centre took the ball in splendid style to the English goal, though Birkett luckily managed just to touch the leather when Smith made his shot, and it passed over the bar. The corner kick was entrusted to Vallance, and though the Englishmen managed to get the ball away Campbell returned it neatly, and Mackinnon, who rarely misses a chance, scored a goal for Scotland, amidst great cheering. Nearly half-an-hour had now elapsed and with the score even the excitement increased. The English forwards made desperate efforts to regain their lead, and Parlane, whose goalkeeping throughout was very fine, had more than once a rough time of it. Mosforth, Wace, Sparks, and Hill took the ball along from the middle and though Parlane twice got rid of it very cleverly Wace, not to be outdone, forced it between the goal. There was another outburst of applause at this second success of England, but it was premature, as after some discussion the umpires decided Wace to have been off side, and Scotland had a free kick. This disappointment seemed rather to unsettle the English flag and their efforts relaxed considerably for a time. Soon afterwards McKinnon scored a second goal for Scotland, an appeal for off side by the English captain being rejected by the umpires. The renewal of play saw the increase of energy on the side of England and the Scotchmen continued to maintain the offensive. Smith making some very good runs, while M'Neil, Paton, and M'Kinnon, were always on the alert, and behind the kicking of McPherson and Vallance was exceptionally fine. Mosforth made some fine runs along the upperside, but the Scotchmen were not to be denied, and before half-time Smith and M'Kinnon had each added to the score of Scotland. The change of ends gave England the wind, but with Scotland four goals to one the chances of the English team looked gloomy to those who knew the staying powers of the Scotchmen. Not very long after Campbell's kick off Bambridge, getting the ball close to his own goal, ran through the Scotch team, and eluding Parlane, in his final shot secured a goal for England by one of the grandest pieces of play we have ever seen, the young Swift being treated to long-continued applause. This success quite changed the spirit of the English play, and the forwards returned to the charge with an amount of energy greatly at contrast with their previous efforts. Mosforth's dribbling was particularly brilliant, and Bailey and Prinsep at half-back were almost impassable. After about ten minutes the Sheffielder, passing the last Scotch back, middled very skilfully to Goodyer, and the latter elicited another outburst with the third score for England. Some good play was shown after the kick off by Smith and M'Neil for Scotland, and more than once Birkett had to use his hands, but the Englishmen were bent on making most of their time, and bearing down in an irresistible rush the forwards forced Parlane and ball between the posts, thus making four goals to each side. The excitement was now intense, but the Scotchmen appeared to be once more in luck when M'Neil, after a fine run, proved instrumental in taking the ball between the English posts. The goal was, however, questioned by the English captain, and was disqualified on the ground of off side. During the last quarter of an hour the interest never flagged, and neither team relaxed their efforts for  a moment. Mosforth's play toward the last was particularly brilliant, but the forwards all did their work well, and at last their efforts were rewarded with a fifth goal, kicked by Bambridge. Only seven minutes remained, and as this period proved uneventful, at the call of time England was left in possession of a hard earned victory, after one of the best Internationals ever played, by five goals to four. The result was received with great enthusiasm, but the Scotchmen were heartily cheered as each member retired to the pavilion.
  

       Match Report The Times, Monday, 7 April 1879

A better football match than that played on Saturday at The Oval between England and Scotland, under Association rules, has probably never been witnessed. From the kick off to the call of 'Time' the play was exceedingly fast, and the interest well sustained up to the last moment...
As the time approached for the commencement of hostilities on Saturday the sky became overcast with clouds, but fortunately a sharp breeze sprung up and prevented their downfall until after the match was over. Play began within ten minutes of the stipulated time - 4 o'clock, when there were nearly 4,000 spectators present. Scotland were successful in the toss, and at once decided to have the wind as an ally for the first half of time, leaving Wace to kick off for England from the eastern goal...
...Bailey got in possession of the ball, and after a short run, by a clever piece of passing, gave it to Mosforth, who shot it between the posts, and thus gained first point for England...
One corner kick having failed to produce any satisfactory result, a second fell to Scotland. M'Dougall was entrusted with it, and most judiciously aimed the ball a few yards in front of goal. Campbell then headed it to M'Kinnon, who cleverly sent it between the posts...
M'Dougall kicked the second goal for his side, Smith then secured a third, and shortly afterwards M'Kinnon obtained a fourth. This did certainly not look at all hopeful for England. The change of ends, however, put a different aspect on affairs. By no means disheartened, the English forwards, with the wind at their backs, quickly assumed the aggressive. Bambridge was the first to show to advantage. Getting in possession of the ball, he ran it over more than half the length of the ground, and then kicked it underneath the bar. This really wonderful piece of play infused new vigour into the home team, and proved to be the turning-point in the match. England now had a deficiency of two goals, and this was quickly rubbed out. Mosforth made a smart run and passed the ball to Goodyear, who kicked the third goal for his side, and Bailey soon afterwards having a throw-in close to the corner flag, planted the ball in the very mouth of the goal, and although Parlane tried to stop it the ball passed through off his hand...
...then the ball, having been passed to Bambridge, that player kicked the fifth goal for his side.
   

       Match Report England Expects - James Corbett
"The Scottish umpire said 'goal', the English one was just as confident that is was 'offside'.  And so the hapless referee, Lord Kinnaird, was called upon.  He was surrounded by the Scottish players, and Mr C. W. Alcock came running from the pavilion to render him apparently necessary succour.  But the Scotsmen chased him back again, and Lord Kinnaird stated that he thought the goal was 'offside'.  The consequence was that the Scotsmen were unable to settled own anymore, and before the close, either Bambridge or Mosforth put on a fifth goal for England.  'I don't know which of us it was,' he said.  'But I know they carried me off the field afterwards, so I must have played pretty well.' 
  
       In Other News....
It was on 4 April 1879 that Lord Shaftesbury brought the continued harsh working conditions of cotton-mill workers in India to the attention of the House of Lords and appealed for legislative improvements.   Cambridge won the University Boat Race by a comfortable three and a half lengths.
  
       Source Notes

The Football Association Yearbook
original newspaper report & The Morning Post/Independent
Douglas Lamming's A Century of English International Football 1872-1988
Welsh Football Data Archive
Douglas Lamming's A Scottish Internationalists' Who's Who 1872-1986
Cris Freddi's England Football Factbook
Andy Mitchell's extensive research

James Corbett's England Expects
John Maxwell's Scottish International Football Archive (website)
Jack Rollin's Rothmans Book of Football Records
The Scottish Football Association, Scottish Match Archive
James Corbett's England Expects
The Official History of the England Football Team (DVD)
LondonHearts.com
John Treleven
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