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 |
|
cg |