| Shortly after two o'clock play began. The Scottish captain, having won the toss, chose the upper goal, England having the disadvantage of fighting up the brae during the first half of the game. The English captain led off with a good kick, but it was quickly sent back by one of the Scotch half-backs, and after some skirmishing on the part of the forwards, the English captain distinguished himself by a beautiful piece of dribbling till he had got within 15 yards of Scotland's goal line, finishing up with a good kick which sent the ball over. The Scotch now came away with a great rush, Leckie and others dribbling the ball so smartly that the English lines were closely besieged, and the ball was soon behind. The Scotch play at this part elicited loud cheers. Nothing daunted, the English team came away in magnificent style, and were soon into the very heart of the Scotch territory, when one of the Scotch team kicked the ball behind his own goal line, which gave the English the advantage of punting the ball out; but no benefit resulted therefrom. Weir now had a splendid run for Scotland into the heart of the opponents' territory, but the English captain followed this up by a still finer piece of play, the manner in which he dribbled the ball past nearly all his opponents being unique, and brought forth a ringing cheer. Rhind and Weir next turned the tables for Scotland by a piece of excellent play, and passed all the English forwards till Welch stopped their career. England made another gallant attempt on the Scottish lines, and were twice splendidly repulsed by capital back play. In turn, Scotland twice made splendid rushes, Weir and Rhind showing conspicuously in front. English territory was again cleared, until Weir and Leckie once more put their goal in danger, passing all the English forwards. Greenhalgh, however, came to the rescue, and after charging first one and then the other of his opponents, piloted the ball splendidly out of danger. Scotland immediately after again bore down on their opponent's goal, and through a misunderstanding on the part of the English captain and Greenhalgh (back), Weir, amid great excitement, got past them both but the great speed of the English captain enabled him to retrieve the threatened disaster, and put the ball out of danger. The narrow escape had a wonderful effect on the English team, who again to a man came away, Scotland's goal getting endangered for a time. As if to show what they could do, the Scottish team mad a grand effort, and came away right into the heart of English ground. So certain did success appear at this time that the greatest excitement prevailed, a good kick from Leckie causing tremendous cheering from all parts of the ground, so satisfied were the majority that a goal had been won for Scotland. To the great chagrin of the Scotch it was, however, given no goal, the ball passing hardly an inch above the tape. Time was now called, and ends reversed. Both sides now redoubled their energy for the final struggle, the Scotch fighting with indomitable pluck against the immense forward strength of their opponents. The English soon came away in fine style into Scotland's quarters, Ottaway, Clegg, Kirke-Smith, and Morice making vigorous onslaughts which were as brilliantly repulsed. Scottish ground was again cleared for a time, and the war carried into the enemy's camp; but the English captain, Morice, Kirke-Smith, and Clegg were not to be denied, and piloted the ball well into Scottish ground, and once or twice all but got it through. The Scottish team again played well together, and not only raised the siege, but in turn threatened the English lines. Morice, Maynard, Kirke-Smith, and the captain helped considerably to their territory, Scotland again having to act somewhat on the defensive. For some time the ball was kept between Scotch territory and the centre of the ground, Clegg, Kirke-Smith, Brockbank, and the Captain trying several times to get the ball through, but without success. Once the Scotch goal was only saved through a combined effort on part of the Weir, Rhind, Wotherspoon, Leckie, and Kerr, the latter passing all his opponents, and getting into the centre of their territory. This success, however, was very short-lived, Chappell by a well-executed run, during which he knocked aside some half-dozen of his opponents, piloting the ball safely out of danger—a piece of play which was cheered. The Southrons made another splendid effort to get through, but it was as well beaten off. Brockbank on one occasion, when dribbling the ball well into Scottish ground, was splendidly charged by M'Kinnon and Wotherspoon—the whole three falling heavily. Nothing else of note occurred, time being called when the ball had been brought near the centre of the ground, the match thus ending in a draw. Where all did so well special attention seems invidious, though the splendid play of the Captain, Kirke-Smith, Brockbank, Morice and Clegg for England was the subject. For Scotland, Weir, Leckie, Rhind, and especially conspicuous. |
| This match, which has created a vast amount of interest amongst football players who adopt the Association code, was played on Saturday afternoon, at Glasgow, on the West of Scotland Cricket Ground, at Partick. The weather was fine, and there were upwards of 5000 visitors upon the ground. Play began about three o'clock, the Scotchmen winning the toss, and the English captain had to kick off, sending the ball well into the lines of the Scotch team, Ottaway and Chenery displaying splendid dribbling. Soon after commencing, the Scotchmen, headed by Weir, Rhind, and Ker, sent the ball forward into the English territory, the whole team working well together, and the warfare was carried on in the English lines, where Leckie almost succeeded in kicking a goal, the ball landing on the tape amidst loud cheers. On ends being changed at half-time, the Englishmen played well, and kept the ball well in their opponents' quarters, but when time was called neither side had obtained a goal, so the match was drawn. |
Scotland Lineup