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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.
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Cambridge won the University Boat Race by a
comfortable three and a half lengths.
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.
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'.
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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...