Favoured with weather of the most delightful and summer-like description, the 22nd annual contest under Association rules between representative teams of England and Scotland took place on Saturday at the Athletic Ground, Richmond. The afternoon, indeed, was really too hot for football, being more suggestive of August than April, but, though very exhausting to those who had to play an hour and a half's football at high pressure, it was greatly appreciated by the thousands of spectators. There was, of course, a very big crowd present, but probably not more than 20,000, as was fortunate, for the Athletic Ground at Richmond, admirable enclosure as it is, is not adapted for the accommodation of anything like an exceptionally large gathering. The straggle was honoured by the presence of Royalty in the persons of her Royal Highness the Duchess of Teck, the Duke of Teck, the Princess May and Prince Adolphis of Teck, and before the game began the captains of the two elevens were duly presented to the distinguished party.  On winning the toss the English captain placed his men with their backs to the sun, and the moment that Hamilton kicked off the Scotchmen forced the ball over the line. Then the Englishmen rushed the ball down, and Cotterill head in. Lindsay stopped the shot, but Cotterill caught the ball on the rebound, and his second stroke went just outside the post. On restarting from the goal-kick the visitors broke away, but before they could become dangerous the pressure was relieved through Campbell's getting off-side, and following this incident the home side showed to conspicuous advantage. They attacked repeatedly, and but for a fine bit of play by Arnott at back, Cotterill would probably have scored early in the game. The big Corinthian was very carefully watched, and this at times made him appear not only ineffective, but poor, but with Gosling, he in the first 20 minutes took the ball into dangerous proximity with the Scottish goal, and on two occasions he was perhaps unfortunate in failing to score. In a momentary attack by the visitors they were assisted by a free kick awarded for a foul, but Smellie kicked too hard, and Chadwick, getting the ball away, ran it down and passing to Gosling, the Old Etonian, scored the first goal for England after fifteen minutes' play. Keeping up the pressure, Cahdwick again made a nice run and passing to Bassett, the latter sent in a shot which Arnott managed to half stop, and eventually to clear, but for a log time the Scottish forwards never had the ball as the play of the half-backs was magnificent. For pace and clever ness the English forwards easily beat the Scotch, but near goal they did not shine conspicuously. Gosling, after a good run, was well placed, but his shot was a poor one, and Arnott had no difficulty in preventing Chadwick from coming to his assistance. For nearly half an hour Gay, the English goalkeeper, had really nothing to do, but at the end of that time the visiting forwards showed some decided improvement, and in one of their occasional attacks M'Mahon dropped the ball up slowly to Gay. The shot was a very quiet one and should have been easily dealt with, but Gay framed very badly at it, and before he could clear Sellar run up and dashed the ball through, and so equalised amidst the shouts of delight of the Scottish partisans/ Encouraged by their unexpected success the Scots played up with renewed vigour, and during the next ten minutes they were constantly in front of the English goal. The pressure was kept up without intermission, but only on two occasions did the attack appear really dangerous, and gradually England got upon terms with their opponents. But by this time the Combination of the visitors had greatly improved, and the Scottish half-backs allowed the English forwards but few opportunities of shooting effectively, and at half-time the score was still ENGLAND 1 goal. SCOTLAND 1 goal.After an interval of ten minutes Cotterill kicked off, and Spiksley dribbling down, forced a corner, but the ball was cleared, and after a splendid run Sellar shot just outside. Scotland directly afterwards had a chance through Gay's being penalised for running out too far in clearing, but Holt, who throughout showed capital form, quickly got rid of the ball and relieved the pressure for a time. It was only momentarily, however, as Scotland was soon back again, and after some pretty passing Sellar sent in a low shot which Gay could not reach, and the visitors obtained a tangible advantage, the second goal being scored within two minutes of the resumption. Just about this time the English forwards deteriorated very much and quite lost their combination, Cotterill in the centre being especially weak, but the half-backs maintained their good form. After a short attack by the English forwards Scotland broke away and forced a corner. This was at once cleared, and in turn Spiksley compelled one of his opponents to put the ball behind, and after a good centre and a long and exciting bully, Cotterill succeeded in driving the ball through, England thus equalising at the end of 15 minutes. Having once again placed themselves upon level terms, the English team showed a determination to better their position, and their improvement was wonderful. The half-backs persistently fed Spiksley and Chadwick, and the pair made the most of their opportunities, as they time after time carried the ball into dangerous proximity to the Scottish goal. 'Hands' against Smellie, close to goal, gave England a chance, but the attack was repulsed. The ball was not allowed to go far up the field, however, as Bassett raced back with it, and passing across to Spiksley, the latter shot through, and placed England a goal in front. Almost as soon as the ball had been restarted the same two players were instrumental in obtaining the fourth point, as Bassett again crossed to Spiksley, who dashed up and headed the ball through. With a won game the Englishmen continued to show grand form and for a time their forwards fairly ran through the Scottish defence. In an attack Chadwick and Spiksley came away, and although Smellie half cleared the latter's shot. Reynolds' returned with a tremendously fast low stroke, which scored the fifth goal for England, the last three having been obtained in ten minutes. As the game drew to a close the Scotchmen played up vigorously, but although Gay was twice called upon to handle the ball away they were not fortunate enough to score, and England was left with the victory. Match Report The Times, Monday, 3 April 1893 The general estimate of the attendance at the Richmond Athletic Ground on Saturday, when the 22nd match between England and Scotland took place, was 20,000. Everything was favourable for the spectators, but the summer weather could not have been very welcome to the players, who, however, maintained a fast pace to the end. England were able to claim a decisive victory after a match in which the tide of success inclined to each side before finally turning strongly for the home eleven. The nature of the play kept the spectators at a high pitch of excitement, and the football seemed thoroughly appreciated. Although the partisan spirit was very marked among the large company perfect good humour prevailed ; and the Scottish element, after making much noise in the time that they were leading, submitted quietly to the banter of the English team's friends as, within some quarter of an hour to 20 minutes, England recovered their form and scored four goals. The Duke and Duchess of Teck, Princess May, and Prince Alexander of Teck witnessed the play from an enclosure set apart for them in front of the grand stand. In spite of the well-planned arrangements the spectators crowded in front of the place occupied by the Press, some of whom must have been greatly hampered in their work... ...Chadwick and Spikesley brought the ball along the left side, and taking a fine centre from the former Gosling butted it through. Thus the England team obtained the opening goal......Campbell and M'Mahon forced the ball close to the home line and it was sent into the mouth of the goal, and Waddell drive it through...Ends had not long been changed when the Scottish again forced the play, and the outcome of some accurate passing was a goal by Sellar, who had received the ball from Waddell......Following close play near the Scottish posts and a dexterous save by Lindsay, the ball was returned from the right wing, and Cotterill, amid loud cheering, brought the figures level......but a few minutes later Bassett and Gosling dribbled down the right side and a long pass was given to Spikesley, who had got so well forward that a prompt appeal was made for "off-side," and he scored with a fine shot. The off-side appeal was over-ruled. Again, England forced the game, the wing men playing splendidly. Bassett helped Spikesley to get the fourth goal, and a long kick from the left (by Chadwick) was followed by Reynolds registering the fifth point with a lofty shot from half-back...It was little less than remarkable the style that England half-way through the second stage managed to renew their combination...This is England's third consecutive victory, and they have now won six matches to Scotland's 11. There have been five drawn matches. |
| Domestic Football Results (1 April 1893) Teams in a silver box denotes a player representing England The Football League Division One: Bolton Wanderers 2 Sunderland 1 Pike's Lane, Bolton (13,000) Bentley, Weir ~ Campbell John Sutcliffe, Davie Weir and Jimmy Turner started for Bolton Tom Porteous started for Sunderland **Burnley 2 Wolverhampton Wanderers 0Turf Moor, Burnley (8,000) Turnbull, nk Wolves were missing George Kinsey. However, they started with Billy Rose, Dick Baugh, Harry Allen, George Woodhall and Harry Wood. Everton 4 Blackburn Rov ers 0 Goodison Park, Liverpool (14,000) James, McMillan, Geary, Maxwell Everton were without Johnny Holt and Edgar Chadwick , but did have Bob Howarth and Fred Geary Nat Walton, Jimmy Forrest and Jack Southworth started for Rovers **Newton Heath 2 Preston North End 1 North Road, Manchester (9,000) Donaldson (2) ~ Stewart Preston were without Bob Holmes **Wednesday 0 Stoke 1 Olive Grove, Sheffield (5,000) Dixon Wednesday were without Fred Spiksley, but did have Billy Betts Stoke started with Bill Rowley, Tommy Clare and Joe Schofield **West Bromwich Albion 3 Derby County 1Stoney Lane, West Bromwich (3,655) T.Perry, Geddes, C.Perry ~ A.Goodall West Brom were without Billy Bassett and Jack Reynolds, but did start with Joe Reader and Tom & Charlie Perry. County started with Jack Robinson, Jack Cox, Fred Forman and Steve Bloomer Division One Table Team P ₧ Sunderland 27 43 Preston North End 25 33 Everton 27 32 Aston Villa 27 32 Bolton Wanderers 29 32 Stoke 29 28 Blackburn Rovers 29 28 West Bromwich Albion 28 27 Nottingham Forest 29 27 Wolverhampton Wanderers 26 26 Burnley 27 26 Wednesday 29 25 Derby County 27 24 Notts County 28 22 Accrington 27 20 Newton Heath 28 17 Preston's hopes of reclaiming the title for the third time in five years were all but over following a shock defeat at Newton Heath, who were already destined for the test matches where they would successfully retain their First Division status. Although Sunderland only needed one more point, Preston faltered again, two days later, on Easter Monday, by failing to beat Accrington, and the so-called 'team of all talents' retained the Championship, emulating Preston's achievement of three years earlier. The Football League Division Two: Burton Swifts 0 Sheffield United 3 Peel Croft, Burton (3,000) Hill, Waller, Gallacher United started with Mick Whitham Grimsby Town 3 Walsall Town Swifts 0 Abbey Park, Grimsby (1,000) Higgins (2), Ackroyd Lincoln City 5 Bootle 1 John O'Gaunt's, Lincoln (2,000) Raby (2), Smallman (2), Roberts ~ nk Small Heath 3 Ardwick 2 Coventry Road, Birmingham (1,000) Hallam (2), Walton ~ Yates, Carson Chris Charsley started for Heath Small Heath completed their league fixtures with a ninth successive victory, but it was another two weeks before they could claim to be champions, and they then lost their test match to Newton Heath, thus failing to win promotion, with Darwen and Sheffield United both successful. Division Two Table Team P ₧ Small Heath 22 36 Sheffield United 20 32 Darwen 21 30 Grimsby Town 21 23 Ardwick 21 19 Northwich Victoria 20 18 Burton Swifts 21 18 Lincoln City 20 17 Bootle 21 17 Crewe Alexandra 21 15 Burslem Port Vale 21 13 Walsall Town Swifts 21 12 |