In most delightful weather the sixteenth annual contest, under Association
rules. between representative teams of England and Ireland, was played on
Saturday at Trent Bridge, Nottingham. Some rain had fallen during the
night, but the turf, if a little soft, was by no means in bad condition,
and despite the fact, much commented upon in Nottingham, of there being no
Notts man in the English team, a company of between 10,000 and 12,000
people assembled to witness the game. If anything the afternoon was too
bright and warm for football, but the players kept to their work manfully,
and the game, although one-sided, was fought out with great keenness on
both sides, and it may be added, in the best possible spirit. With England
placing in the field not, as was the practice a few years ago, a purely
amateur or purely professional team, but what may fairly be regarded as
the full strength of the country, it was scarcely expected that the
representatives of the sister Isle would have much chance of reducing the
big balance of defeats standing against them, and this anticipation was
duly verified, the Englishmen showing the better football throughout, and
winning handsomely by six goals to none. Ireland, as had been previously
announced, made one change from the side originally selected, Darling
playing inside right instead of Peden, while in the English eleven, the
disablement of Bassett, of West Bromwich Albion, made room for Athersmith,
of Aston Villa. Although outplayed in nearly every respect the Irishmen
showed plenty of pace forward, but there was n finish in their work, and
even on the few occasions that they got in front of the English goal, they
always blundered. Milne struggled manfully at centre-half, but neither
M'Master or Pyper were able to cope with the formidable wing he had to
face. Torrans and Ponsonby kicked and tackled well at times, and Scott
saved several fine shots, but the defence of the Irishmen looked very poor
against the brilliant work of the English forwards. Smith led his men with
great coolness and judgment, passing out skilfully, and both Bloomer and
Athersmith, who worked together admirable, were in great form. Wheldon
kicked most successfully at times, and took his passes well, but he gave
Bradshaw very few chances of distinction. At half-back Needham was
splendid, Crawshaw cool and skilful, and Middleditch tackled his men ably
and untiringly. Oakley carried off the honours at back, and Robinson, if
not much was required of him, did all for which he was called upon.
Stanfield kicked off for Ireland, and within the first minute a slip by
Needham, who afterwards played admirably, nearly let in the Irishmen.
However, a moment afterwards Bloomer broke away and shot, but Ponsonby
stopped the ball, and kicked up to Williams. Next came a free kick to
England, and though Athersmith made a good attempt, Scott cleared. During
the next few minutes Scott was twice called upon to save shots from
Wheldon, but the Irish goalkeeper proved equal to the demand made upon his
resources. The Irish forwards broke away, and Williams blundering,
Stanfield had a fine opening, but he failed to make use of it, and
directly afterwards the ball was back at the other end, where Athersmith
centring, Wheldon kicked over the bar. Darling next sent in a shot at
Robinson, the Englishman duly clearing, but just afterwards Ireland forced
a corner off Oakley. The ball, however, was at once kicked up field,
Bloomer racing away, and passing to Smith, who returned to Bloomer, and
the Derby man scored the first goal for England within a quarter of an
hour of the start. Encouraged by this success England pressed hard.
Wheldon and Bloomer in turn each having a shot at goal, and from a free
kick Williams sent the ball over the line. As a change Ireland had a free
kick and then a corner, but for the most part play was at the Irish end,
where on two occasions Wheldon shot when he would have done much better to
pass out to Bradshaw. The second goal for England came from a run and
centre by Athersmith. Scott got on the ball, and dropped up field, but
'hands' presumably had been given against one of the backs, and following
the free kick (taken by Needham), Wheldon, to whom the ball was passed,
was enabled to put the ball into the net. Very shortly afterwards, England
obtained their third success, Bloomer and Athersmith taking the ball down
together, and kicking across to Wheldon, who, with a clever side shot,
scored another goal. Directly after the kick-off the Irishmen raced away,
and Campbell put the ball into the net, but the referee had blown his
whistle for off-side. Later on came some more severe pressure on the Irish
lines. First of all came some work between Athersmith, Wheldon, and
Bloomer, Scott saving; then a corner to England, when Needham put the ball
just outside the post, and afterwards a fine pass by Smith to Bloomer, who
missed his chance. A foul, given against Williams, afforded the Irishmen a
good opening, which was not taken advantage of. At the other end the home
team looked dangerous, when 'hands' were given against Smith, and a run
and kick by Athersmith resulted in the Villa forward dropping the ball on
to the net. Just before half-time, Milne got through, and passing to Hall,
the latter should have scored, but he kicked over, ends being changed with
the score:—England 3 goals Ireland 0 goal.
The players were away rather a long time, but on resuming Ireland
had speedily to act on the defensive. A long dropping shot by Athersmith
touched the bar, and Scott had to concede a corner. Another corner quickly
followed, and then Smith, having the ball put up to him by Needham, kicked
only just over, while Wheldon failed to make proper use of a centre by
Athersmith. However, not long afterwards, there was a scrimmage in front
of the Irish goal, and Wheldon put the ball into the Irish net. Following
this fourth score came some of the prettiest combination of the whole
match, Athersmith and Bloomer taking the ball three-parts of the field in
masterly fashion, but Wheldon shot outside. At length the Irishmen
relieved the pressure, and Robinson had to keep out shots from Milne and
Campbell, but he was never really hard pressed, and soon again the home
team were displaying their superiority. Bloomer getting away, Scott had to
put forth and especially fine effort to clear. Despite this good piece of
defensive work Scott had no relief, and Smith, coming away down the
centre, passed out to Athersmith, who scored an easy goal. Then came an
unpleasant incident. Williams, in failing, put up his feet, accidentally
or otherwise, and the referee gave a penalty kick against England. Milne
was entrusted with what should, of course, have been an easy goal, but
failed badly. Later on a goal, by Bloomer was disallowed for off-side, but
after a corner to Ireland, the English right wing came away once more, and
Bloomer scored. This was the last notable occurrence, and the game ending
in favour of England.
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