In the first Association International of the present season England, on Saturday, at Belfast, followed up their long series of wins against Ireland with a victory by three goals to one. Following upon a fine week, rain fell heavily during Friday night, and on Saturday morning water lay in pools on various parts of the field of play. Under the influence of bright sunshine and a fresh breeze, however, the turf recovered remarkably well, and by the time the match began its condition afforded no occasion for complaint. Despite the lack of success which had attended Irish teams against England, and the small likelihood which existed on Saturday of any change in the fortunes of the home side, the match proved a big attraction. Fully 20,000 people gathered at Cliftonville ground. The enclosure, indeed, careful arrangements notwithstanding, proved scarcely equal to the demand made upon it. Early in the game many people clambered over the fence lining the field of play, and this number increased so materially during the interval that soon after resumption spectators three or four deep crowded up close to the touch line, not only spoiling the view of those behind them, but necessarily hampering the wing men. At the finish came a wild rush, which greatly handicapped the players in their endeavor to reach the pavilion, and led to one member of the visiting team being swept right out of the ground. Stronger and higher barriers will be necessary if the Cliftonville ground is to be subjected to such demands as were made upon it on Saturday.
   Woodward, who captained the English team, losing the toss to Scott, Ireland during the first half enjoyed the advantage of a fresh breeze. They speedily attacked, but the game had only been in progress seven minutes when Wall and Windridge working their way down, the former centred to Hilsdon, who kicked straight for goal, but very high. The ball looked like going well over the bar, and this apparently was Scott's opinion, for he made no real effort to stop it. The wind, however, held it up somewhat, and to Scott's dismay and the delight of the visitors it dropped just under the bar, a decidedly lucky kick giving England the lead. Roused by this reverse the Irishmen attacked with great spirit, Blair and Hannon coming away more than once, and inside a quarter of an hour Hannon, with a fast low shot, placed Ireland on level terms, amid tremendous enthusiasm. Then ensued some nice passing between the English front rank, which, if not often threatening danger, suggested that the visitors on the change of ends would be seen to considerable advantage. Still, with Crompton and Pennington none too sure in their kicking, England had some anxious times, one in particular when from Young's pass Burnison hit the outside of the net. Towards the close of the opening half, however, England pressed, Harris about this time stopping Wall skilfully on several occasions. The interval arrived with the game one all.
   On the resumption England had practically all the play for nearly 25 minutes, the break-away on the part of the home side being not only few but of no great moment; except when out of a scrimmage in front of the visitors' goal Maskrey saved smartly, but rather luckily. Scott had a lot to do, of course, and though for a time the shots sent in to him required no great skill to repell, the abilities of the Irish custodian were more severely tested as the game went on. This was when Rutherford so repeatedly found himself pulled up by the referee for offside. Despite the keen defence of the Irishmen Lintott nearly beat Scott with a long shot, and Woodward, when well placed, kicked over the bar, whilst a little later an effort by Windridge forced a corner. Rutherford, too, tried Scott with a well-directed effort, but then Ireland relieved the pressure, and had a corner conceded them. Less than ten minutes remained when Wall secured another corner for England, and placed it well. Woodward sending the ball into the net, and so giving England the lead. This score determined the result, for during the last few remaining minutes Scott was twice called upon to handle, and although he saved on those two occasions, Hilsdon, getting the ball from Lintott and Windridge, dribbled past McCartney and put on a further point for the visitors.