Season 1890/91 - March 1891

Monday, 2nd March 1891

ORDINARY MATCH

CASUALS                          0            THIRD LANARK                 2                1,500

Half time: 2-0                                                         Referee:

Invicta Ground, Plumstead

Tuesday, 3rd March 1891

MEETING OF THE SFA INTERNATIONAL SELECTION COMMITTEE

Following the previous Saturday’s trial matches the committee met to select the teams for the coming Saturday’s trial that would take place at Tynecastle Park, Edinburgh. The committee also agreed not to pick those players who did not play in last Saturday’s trial and had not sufficient reason for not turning up.

BLUE TEAM: Wilson (Vale of Leven), Arnott (Queen’s Park), Smellie (Queen’s Park), Begbie (Heart of Midlothian), Kelly (Celtic), Hill (Heart of Midlothian), Watt (Kilbirnie), Berry (Queen’s Park), Sellar (Queen’s Park), Dunlop (St.Mirren), Baird (Heart of Midlothian)

WHITE TEAM: Gillespie (Queen’s Park), Ritchie (East Stirlingshire), Gow (Rangers), Marshall (Rangers), McPherson (Heart of Midlothian), Robertson (Queen’s Park),Gulliland (Queen’s Park), Rankin (Vale of Leven), McMahon (Celtic), Richardson (Hurlford), Keillor (Montrose)

RESERVE TEAM: McCorkindale (Partick Thistle), Sillers (Queen’s Park), Hepburn (Alloa Athletic), Johnstone (Abercorn), Brown (St.Mirren), E. McBain (St.Mirren), McIntosh (Linthouse), Buchanan (Abercorn), Butter (Dundee Our Boys), Boyd (Mossend Swifts), Baxter (Linthouse)

In making their selection the committee hit back at the Scottish League by ignoring all the players who turned out for their clubs instead of attending the trial. Of the league players picked, Wilson (Vale of Leven), Begbie (Heart of Midlothian), Kelly (Celtic) and Dunlop (St.Mirren) were all from the exempt list, Hill and McPherson (Heart of Midlothian), Marshall (Rangers) and Rankin (Vale of Leven) all took part. Baird (Heart of Midlothian) and Gow (Rangers) did not take part in the trial as they were injured were also selected. Two new league players were selected McMahon (Celtic) for the White Team and Johnstone (Abercorn) for the Reserve Team. Brown and Eddie McBain (St.Mirren) and Buchanan (Abercorn) were selected for the Reserve Team. Two further new players were selected, Ritchie (East Stirlingshire) for the White Team and Sillers (Queen’s Park) for the Reserve Team.

MEETING OF THE ENGLISH FOOTBALL LEAGUE

The league committee had received a letter from the Scottish League suggesting that a match should take place between representatives of the two leagues. The match would take place in Glasgow on 18th April 1891. The committee agreed that should a match should take place, their participation would be subject to FA approval.

Thursday, 5th March 1891

MEETING OF THE SCOTTISH FOOTBALL LEAGUE

The league committee responded to the SFA International Selection Committee’s attitude to the exclusion of players who did not take part in the trial matches by agreeing to keep all the players of league clubs from the trial match on Saturday first. A motion was passed stating that any league player who played in the trial match instead of playing for their club would be suspended from all further league matches until the end of the season. Mr McLaughlin, Secretary, was instructed to send the following letter to the International Selection Committee: -

“At a meeting of my committee last night it was agreed, in view of the exclusion of the players of league clubs who did not take part in the trial matches last Saturday, that all the players belonging to the league clubs be withdrawn from the trial match on Saturday first. My committee protest against the grounds of the exclusion in question as they consider it distinctly ultra vires and as they are of opinion that Scotland’s chance in the International will be injuriously affected thereby, agree to place their players unreservedly at the disposal of the Selection Committee for International teams, so that the players excluded may have an equal chance with now selected.”

So the first real conflict between the SFA and the Scottish League has arisen over international team selection. The League’s view is that the SFA are cutting off their nose to spite their face by ignoring players because they did not appear for trials. As a fair number of league players are established internationalist, the league has made a valid point. On the other hand the SFA see any disregard of their directives as a direct challenge to their authority and is dealt with punitively regardless of the consequences.

The league’s view is their clubs players are playing competitively every week and therefore have no need to be “auditioned”. However the SFA, and indeed the media, do not perceive the league to be a competition but more of an organised collection of guaranteed ordinary matches. The league is also having a dig at the role of the selectors and the validity of trial matches. Their view is the selectors should be assessing players all through the season instead of relying on artificial matches to decide who represents Scotland. The SFA would argue their system works perfectly well given that to date Scotland have played 41 internationals and lost only three.

Friday, 6th March 1891

ABERCORN PLAYER GOES TO ENGLAND

It was reported that Abercorn’s forward, Harry Raeside, has signed for English League side Preston North End. The terms are said to be £130 (around £17,000 today) signing on fee and £2 10s (£2.50, around £325 today) per week. Raeside made 8 league appearances for Abercorn scoring 4 goals.

Saturday, 7th March 1891

LEAGUE FIXTURES ROUND 22

ABERCORN                           6            VALE of LEVEN                    0                   2,000

Nicol (2),Cree(2),Bowie,Buchanan             

Half time: 2-0                                                         Referee: Mr Cameron (Rangers)

Abercorn: Fleming, A. Cuthbertson, D. Cuthbertson, Johnstone, Bowie, Reid, Wallace Nicol, Cree, Buchanan, Bonnar

Vale of Leven: Doherty, Smith, G. Sharp, J. Sharp, McAdam, Paterson, Cowan, Rice, Graham, Mills, McGregor

CAMBUSLANG                  3            CELTIC                                 1                   4,000

Low,Brown,Maxwell                                            Madden

Half time: 2-0                                                         Referee:

Cambuslang: Ross, Ramsey, Collins, Russell, Jackson, Jamieson, Maxwell, Gourlay, Brown, Low Buchanan

Celtic: Bell, Reynolds, Gallagher, Dunbar, Kelly, McGhee, Madden, Boyle, Dowds, Campbell, McMahon

COWLAIRS                            1            HEART of MIDLOTHIAN         2                   4,000

Lyall                                                                       Ross,Russell

Half time: 1-0                                                         Referee:

Cowlairs: Duff, McLeod, McCartney, McPherson, Elliott, Buist, Lyall, Henderson, McGhee, McEwan,Shanks

Heart of Midlothian: Fairbairn, Adams, Goodfellow, Stirling, Waterston, Hastie, Taylor, Mason, Russell, Ross, Scott

DUMBARTON                     5            St.MIRREN                            1                   3,000

Bell (4),McNaught                                       Dunlop                  

Halft time: 2-1                                                        Referee: Mr Marshall

Dumbarton: McLeod, Watson, Miller, “Jones”, Boyle, Keir, Thomson, Galbraith, Hutcheson, McNaught, Bell

St.Mirren: Cameron, Brown, McFarlane, McCartney, Smith, E. McBain, Morrison, McAuley, Wylie, Dunlop, Douglas

THIRD LANARK               0            RANGERS                        4              3,000

                                                McPherson,H. McCreadie(2),Henderson

Half time: 0-4                                                         Referee:

Third Lanark: Downie, A. Thomson, Smith, Burns, Love, Scott, Lapsley, W. Thomson, Johnstone, Burke, McInnes

Rangers: Reid, Gow, Hodge, A.McCreadie, Marshall, Mitchell, Hislop, Henderson, Kerr, McPherson, H. McCreadie

League Table

 

 

P

W

D

L

F

A

Pts

GA

1.

Dumbarton

12

10

2

0

44

11

22

4.000

2.

Rangers

11

8

2

1

39

18

18

2.167

3.

Cambuslang

11

5

2

4

32

29

12

1.103

4.

Third Lanark

7

4

1

2

18

16

9

1.125

5.

Heart of Midlothian

10

4

1

5

20

19

9

1.053

6.

Celtic

9

5

1

3

24

15

7*

1.600

7.

Vale of Leven

12

3

1

8

16

43

7

0.372

8.

Abercorn

11

2

1

8

27

36

5

0.750

9.

St.Mirren

11

2

1

8

24

42

5

0.571

10.

Cowlairs

10

2

2

6

17

32

2*

0.531

* Celtic and Cowlairs both deducted 4 points for fielding ineligible players

Dumbarton and Rangers consolidated their position at the top of the table with both recording emphatic wins. The International Trial boycott of league players held firm with only Heart of Midlothian breaking ranks. They sanctioned their players attendance and now face possible sanctions by the league. Vale of Leven as a club held firm but two of their players, Wilson and Rankin, defied their club. Two other Vale players, Bruce and Whitelaw remained loyal to the club.

Abercorn put paid to a weakened and disarrayed Vale of Leven with an emphatic win. Abercorn started brightly against a very poor Vale of Leven but it took them 30 minutes to get their first goal through Nicol. A minute later Nicol doubled his and his teams score. There was no further scoring in the first half despite the Paisley mens dominance. In the second half Abercorn turned up the heat further and scored 4 goals through Bowie, Buchanan and a Cree double.

Celtic made a good start against but found Cambuslang’s defence difficult to break down. Gradually Cambuslang got into the game and took the lead through Low. A second goal followed shortly after when Brown scrambled the ball over the line. By their standards, Celtic did not play well but in the second half they improved enough for Madden to reduce the deficit. Cambuslang however were not for giving up and restored their two-goal advantage through Maxwell.

A big crowd turned up a Springvale Park to see Cowlairs take on cup holders Heart of Midlothian. The home support was encouraged by the display against Abercorn the previous week and when Lyall scored mid way through the first half their hopes rose further. However a weakened Hearts team fought hard and kept the Springburn team at bay. In the second half Cowlairs reverted to type and Hearts were able to impose themselves more. In the end it was no surprise when Ross equalised and then Russell put Hearts in front. The game ended with a 2-1 win for Hearts.

Dumbarton, despite having a few regulars missing due to injury, opened well against St.Mirren at Boghead Park but it was the visitors who drew first blood when Dunlop scored after 20 minutes. The league leaders responded well to this set back and equalised 10 minutes later. Bell, who played despite having a poisoned hand, was the scorer. Just before half time McNaught shot the Sons in front. In the second half it proved to be the John Bell show as he scored a hat trick for his team to give Dumbarton a 5-1 win.

Third Lanark faced Rangers at a Cathkin Park for the first time on league duty. Having knocked out their rivals in the Glasgow Cup, the Warriors support fully expected another victory. However Rangers were in exceptional form and totally dominated Third Lanark in the first half. McPherson scored after just 7 minutes for the visitors and 10 minutes later Hugh McCreadie added a second. Rangers were relentless and Hugh McCreadie made it 3-0 on the 30 minute mark and just before half time Henderson added a fourth. In the second half, fortunately for Third Lanark, Rangers eased up and there was no more scoring.

INTERNATIONAL TRIAL MATCH

BLUE                                 4            WHITE                             2               5,000

Half time: 3-0                                                         Referee: Mr Baptie

Tynecastle Park, Edinburgh

Blue: Wilson (Vale of Leven), Arnott (Queen’s Park), Smellie (Queen’s Park), Begbie (Heart of Midlothian), McPherson (Heart of Midlothian), Hill (Heart of Midlothian), Watt (Kilbirnie), Berry (Queen’s Park), Sellar (Queen’s Park), Richardson (Hurlford), Baird (Heart of Midlothian)

White: Gillespie (Queen’s Park), Ritchie (East Stirlingshire), Hepburn (Alloa Athletic), McQueen (Leith Athletic), Gemmell (Thistle), McLaren (Celtic), Gulliland (Queen’s Park), Rankin (Vale of Leven), Logan (Ayr), Robertson (Partick Thistle), Keillor (Montrose)

The withdrawal of almost all league players required some adjustments to the original team selection. McPherson (Heart of Midlothian) and Richardson (Hurlford) were taken from the White Team and put in to replace Kelly (Celtic) and Dunlop (St.Mirren) respectively from the Blue Team. Further changes to the White Team were; Hepburn (Alloa Athletic) from the reserve list replacing Gow (Rangers), McQueen (Leith Athletic) drafted to replace Marshall (Rangers), Gemmell (Thistle) drafted to replace McPherson who switched to the Blue team, McLaren (Celtic and had not played since November 1890) drafted to replace injured Robertson (Queen’s Park), Logan (Ayr) drafted to replace McMahon (Celtic) and Robertson (Partick Thistle) drafted to replace Richardson who switched to the Blue Team. In addition to the changes the goalkeepers swapped teams at half time.

REPRESENTATIVE MATCH

GLASGOW N. E. FA              8            LANARKSHIRE FA            6        1,500

Ross,Johnstone(2),5 Untraced                          Watt(3),Brann,Oliver,Foyers

Half time: 4-2                                                         Referee: Mr Robertson (5th KRV)

Barrowfield Park, Glasgow

Glasgow North Eastern: Neil (Clydesdale), McFarlane (Thistle), Henderson (Carrington), McNab (Northern), McFarlane (Clyde), Gormley (Northern), Mathieson (Northern), Carson (Thistle), Ross (Clyde), Johnstone (Clyde), Gillespie (Thistle)

Lanarkshire: Sneddon (Motherwell), Gray (Motherwell), Clelland (Royal Albert), Galloway (Albion Rovers), Scott (Albion Rovers) (Capt.), Leslie ( Uddingston), Faulds (Royal Albert), Brann (Hamilton Accademical), Watt (Wishaw Thistle), Oliver (Motherwell), Foyers (Burnbank)

Glasgow North Eastern were 4-0 up before being pegged back to 4-4. Lanarkshire went 6-5 before going down 8-6.

Monday, 9th March 1891

VALE of LEVEN IN DISPUTE

A poor season on the field has now produced trouble off the field. The club instructed their selected players not to attend the International Trial Match held Saturday last. Wilson and Rankin defied the club and took part. As a result it has been reported that Whitelaw and Bruce (who were also selected but obeyed the club) have threatened to resign due to their teammates action.

Tuesday, 10th March 1891

SFA INTERNATIONAL SELECTION COMMITTEE MEETING

The International Selection Committee met to pick the teams who would play for Scotland in the forthcoming fixtures against Wales, on the 21st March 1891, Ireland, on the 28th March 1891, and England, on the 4th April 1891. The following players were selected for each match: -

WALES: Gillespie (Queen’s Park), Ritchie (East Stirlingshire), Hepburn (Alloa Athletic), McQueen (Leith Athletic), Brown (St.Mirren), Robertson (Queen’s Park), Gulliland (Queen’s Park), Buchanan (Abercorn), Logan (Ayr), Richardson (Hurlford), Keillor (Montrose)

IRELAND: McCorkindale (Partick Thistle), Hunter (St.Mirren), Paul (Dykebar), McMillan (Dumbarton), Clelland (Royal Albert), McLaren (Celtic), Low (Cambuslang), Clements (Leith Athletic), Bowie (Linthouse), Waddell (Queen’s Park), Fraser (Moffat)

ENGLAND: Wilson (Vale of Leven), Arnott (Queen’s Park), Smellie (Queen’s Park), Begbie (Heart of Midlothian), McPherson (Heart of Midlothian), Hill (Heart of Midlothian), Watt (Kilbirnie), Berry (Queen’s Park), Sellar (Queen’s Park), Baird (Heart of Midlothian), Rankin (Vale of Leven)

Once again, following the convention of past seasons, three completely different teams were picked for each match. This had given rise to the criticism that the SFA scattered caps around like confetti and further questioned the need for trial matches, something the press had, over recent seasons, branded a farse. The SFA, for their part, regarded Ireland and Wales as inferior and therefore had no need to field the best players. England, on the other hand, was the “glamour” match and so required the strongest possible team. Despite this many players saw representing their country as an honour no matter who they played.

The team picked to play Ireland contained 4 players never selected for trials, Hunter (St.Mirren), Low (Cambuslang), Waddell (Queen’s Park) and Fraser (Moffat). It also contained McMillan (Dumbarton) who, although selected, never took part in any trials. This only added more fuel to the pointless argument used by the press as regards trial matches.

MEETING OF VALE of LEVEN FC

A large attendance of membership turned up to discuss arrangements for the forthcoming annual sports event. When the main business was concluded the Chairman took questions from the floor. One member wished to know how the club’s league representative voted on the resolution to suspend players who took part in the recent International Trial matches. As the representative had by this time left the meeting, the Chairman said he understood that he voted against. This ran contrary to press reports that stated the vote was unanimous.

Another member raised the issue as to the truth of reports that there was a difference of opinion between the players, causing unrest in the team. The Chairman admitted there was some truth but it was exaggerated and gave reasons for the abstention of individual players from last Saturday's fixture.

Wednesday, 11th March 1891

MEETING OF THE SCOTTISH LEAGUE COMMITTEE

The Scottish League management committee met to consider the position of the league players who had taken part in last Saturday’s International Trial match. After due consideration the committee adhered to its proclaimed resolution and suspended the players from playing in any of the remaining league matches until the end of the season.

The players suspended were Baird (Heart of Midlothian), Begbie (Heart of Midlothian), Hill (Heart of Midlothian), McPherson (Heart of Midlothian), Rankin (Vale of Leven) and Wilson (Vale of Leven). Action against the respective clubs was left pending any protests.

The date for the inter league match between the Scottish League and the English League was fixed for the 18th April 1891. It was also resolved that proceeds from the match would be donated to charity.

Friday, 13th March 1891

RENTON FC v SFA: COURT of SESSION FIRST DIVISION, EDINBURGH

In September 1890 the SFA expelled Renton FC from membership for professionalism thus effectively meaning neither the club or their players could take part in any football matches under the SFA’s durisdiction. As the SFA would not consider any appeal the club sued them for reinstatement and £5,000 (£650,000) compensation for loss of income, damage to reputation and loss of patrimonial rights. The case appeared before Lord Kincairney in December 1890. The SFA contended that Renton FC had no authority to take such action and therefore they had no case to answer. The judge retired to consider the arguments.

Lord Kincairney gave his verdict in January 1891 and found in favour of Renton FC stating they had proved to have the authority to persue the case in court. He also acknowledged that Renton FC had now withdrawn their claim for damages. Following the verdict his Lordship granted the SFA leave to appeal his verdict.

Lords Adam, McLaren and Kinnear heard the appeal case in February 1891 and after hearing the arguments of both sides retired to consider their verdict. Their consideration now completed, all parties returned to court and the judges found in favour of Renton FC - the club did have the authority to sue the SFA. The case was therefore remitted back to Lord Kincairney for further procedure. Expences were awarded to Renton FC.

This was a resounding victory for Renton; the club were free to sue the SFA and had the authority to do so.

Verdict in full

Lord McLaren, who delivered the opinion of the Court, said that this was an action by an unincorperated society, formed of persons engaged in a lawful sport, and directed against proceedings by a society with which they were affiliated, whereby the pursuers were expelled from the association on the grounds of what was called professionalism. The question was whether the pursuers were amenable to censure or exclusion upon this ground. But the only question now under consideration was the title of the pursuers to sue. The Lord – Ordinary (Lord Kincairney) had dealt with that question, and the important point of his interlocultor was that he had allowed the pursures a proof of their averments that they were duly authorised at a meeting of their club to pursue the present action. The objection was in substance that the Renton Football Club being an unincorporated society had no persona standi in judicio (right to stand) and it was contended that the difficulty was not removed by the course which had been taken of joining certain individual names along with that of the association.

In considering this question they might start with the very elementary proposition that as every subject of the Crown was entitled to sue in a Court of Law, so every assemblage of persons who might conceive that their collective rights had been invaded must be entitled to redress by taking proper means for having their case judicially considered. But it was also clear that an unincorporated society had not a title to institute an action of this kind in its name without further addition. Various reasons might be given for this rule, but it was sufficient to give one, and that was that in the event of a decree for expenses being given against the society, or in the event of a counter-action being brought against the society, under the designations which it had given itself, there would be no person against whom a decree ad factum praestandium (performance of a particular act) could be given, and it would be impossible that such a decree could be put into execution in the ordinary way. On the other hand, it by no means followed as a consequence of the rule that every individual member of the unincorporated society must be made party to the action.

Where a society consisted of a small number of persons it might be very convenient, and would save all questions if the name of every individual member were inserted in the instance, but from the constitution of such societies, and from the very slight cohesion which sometimes existed between their members, it was evident there were cases where it would be exceedingly difficult to comply with such a rule. It was certainly undesirable, and indeed be thought inconsistent with principle, that they should lay down every rule with reference to the instance of unincorporated societies, with which in many cases it would be difficult, and in some impossible to secure compliance. Indeed, he thought that to require the insertion of the names of every member would be a rule which would more likely to result in vexatious preliminary litigation as to the constitution of the society than productive of any benefit to either of the parties concerned.

It was undoubtedly the right of the defenders to say that in addition to the instance of the society itself they should have the instance of certain persons who were responsible for the proper prosecution of the action and for the course of pleas that might be given under it, or under any counter action that might be joined with it. In the present case they had, in addition to the title of the Renton Football Club itself, the names of all the persons described as office-bearers and five others – seventeen persons in all. He thought it would be generally agreed that the office-bearers of an unincorporated society were always proper persons to be named along with the society itself, both because they were likely to be substancial persons and aquainted with the affairs of the society, and because they were the persons to which the socirty had deputed the conduct of its affairs.

He did not say that in every case it would be sufficient that the office-bearers of the club or society were named, but in the majority of cases they might fairly consider that the office-bearers fairly represented both the mind of the society with whom they were associated and the requirements of persons of a responsible character. In the present case, while they had had very full argument upon the whole question, no personal objection had been stated to any of the paties who were named as pursuers, and he must take it that these persons sufficiently represented the wishes and the duties of the football club, and that the objection to the instance was maintained upon theoretical grounds. There was, however, a further condition of the right of an unicorporated society to sue by a representation of its members, and that was that those persons had been duly authorised by a meeting of the society. It was plainly not necessary that they should be authorised by every individual member of the society, that there should be a signed power of attorney, because there would be the same difficulty in getting such leave as there would be to find out the names of the persons to be inserted in the summons. But there must be an authority given by at all events a majority of the known members of the club, either in writing or by a resolution attended in the ordinary way.

The Lord-Ordinary had allowed proof on the subject, and on the first explanation of the case their Lordships were all disposed to affirm the principle which Lord-Ordinary had laid down. But with the view of saving litigation, counsel interposed and produced a signed mandate giving authority. It was objected to that meeting that while it authorised the institution of the action, it did not say in what names the action would be prosecuted, and if that had been the only objection to the mandate he should not have thought it a good one. It was the function of the meeting of a society to give authority to institute an action, but it was not part of their duty, because they were not a meeting of lawyers, to state the form in which the action should be brought. But the position of the case was now somewhat altered, because it was stated by counsel for the defenders that they meant to deny the authenticity of the mandate upon the ground that the meeting was not properly convened, and the result of that objection was that their Lordships must simply adhere to the Lord-Ordinary’s interlocutor and leave it to be proved, if it could be proved, that the required authority was given.

Lords Adam and Kinnear concurred, and the case was accordingly remitted to the Lord-Ordinary for further procedure, expenses being allowed the defenders.

Saturday, 14th March 1891

LEAGUE FIXTURES ROUND 23

CELTIC                                   2            COWLAIRS                           0                   6,000

Dowds(2)              

Half time: 2-0                                                         Referee: Mr J. Marshall (Third Lanark)

Celtic: Bell, Reynolds, McKeown, Maley, Dolan, Gallagher, Madden, Boyle, Dowds, Dunbar, Campbell

Cowlairs: Duff, McCartney, McLeod, Lyons, Buist, Elliott, McPherson, Lyall, McGhee, Henderson, Shanks

RANGERS                              2            ABERCORN                         0                   2,000

H.McCreadie,Henderson                                   

Half time: 2-0                                                         Referee:

Rangers: Reid, Hodge, Gow, Marshall, A.McCreadie, Mitchell, Hislop, Henderson, Kerr, H.McCreadie, McPherson

Abercorn: Fleming, A. Cuthbertson, D. Cuthbertson, Bisland, Bowie, Reid, Wallace, Nicol, Cree, Bonnar, Buchanan

St.MIRREN                             3            THIRD LANARK                    2                   3,000

Wylie(2),McPhee                                                 Love,Untraced(og)

Half time: 1-2                                                         Referee:

St.Mirren: Cameron, A. McBain, Tomlinson, McCartney, Brown, E. McBain, Morrison, Wylie, McPhee, Dunlop, Adam

Third Lanark: Downie, A. Thomson, Smith, Lapsley, Scott, Love, Morrison, W. Thomson, Johnstone, McInnes, Burke

League Table

 

 

P

W

D

L

F

A

Pts

GA

1.

Dumbarton

12

10

2

0

44

11

22

4.000

2.

Rangers

12

9

2

1

41

18

20

2.278

3.

Cambuslang

11

5

2

4

32

29

12

1.103

4.

Celtic

10

6

1

3

26

15

9*

1.733

5.

Heart of Midlothian

10

4

1

5

20

19

9

1.053

6.

Third Lanark

8

4

1

3

20

19

9

1.053

7.

St.Mirren

12

3

1

8

27

44

7

0.614

8.

Vale of Leven

12

3

1

8

16

43

7

0.372

9.

Abercorn

12

2

1

9

27

38

5

0.711

10.

Cowlairs

11

2

2

7

17

34

2*

0.500

* Celtic and Cowlairs both deducted 4 points for fielding ineligible players

With Dumbarton not on league duty, Rangers had a chance to cut into their lead at the top if they could beat Abercorn. This they duly did.

Dowds opened the scoring for Celtic after just 3 minutes and 5 minutes after that scored again. Within 10 minutes of starting the game was virtually over and the rest of the half petered out. In the second half Celtic were wasteful in front of goal and there was no further scoring. An easy victory for the home team.

Abercorn started strongly and had much of the early play and Bowie almost opened the scoring with a fierce shot from long range. For the opening 20 minutes or so Rangers were pressed in their own half but Abercorn failed to capitalise on the chances created. A breakaway by Rangers after 25 minutes saw them take the lead through Hugh McCreadie and although Abercorn protested offside, the goal stood. Two minutes later Henderson scored a second for Rangers and with no further scoring that was how things stood at half time. The first half set back clearly affected Abercorn as Rangers now dominated the second half. On the whole the second period was not as good as the first and the game ended in a 2-0 victory for the home team.

St.Mirren started very well and had Third Lanark under a lot of pressure. Eventually the pressure paid off when Wylie fired Saints into the lead. The Warriors got back into the game and secured an equaliser when a free kick just yards from the goaline found its way past Cameron. Just before half time Love scored from a corner and Third Lanark had turned the game around. St.Mirren resumed the second half by again pinning back Third Lanark in their own half and on the hour Wylie again scored to level the match. Third Lanark continued to hold out for a draw but with the last kick of the match, McPhee scored the winner for St.Mirren.

REPRESENTATIVE MATCH

RENFREWSHIRE FA          6            AYRSHIRE FA                  3               3,000

Half time: 2-2                                                         Referee:

Cappielow Park, Greenock

Renfrewshire: Connell (Port Glasgow Athletic), Paul (Dykebar), Hirst (Arthurlie), T. Steel (Neilston), McKinnon (Port Glasgow Athletic), Blair (Morton), Brown (Morton), Gibson (Dykebar), Carsewell (Arthurlie), Neil (Port Glasgow Athletic), A. Steel (Neilston)

Ayrshire: Baird (Irvine), Todd (Kilbirnie), Orr (Kilmarnock), Hamilton (Hurlford), Campbell (Kilmarnock), Donachie (Stevenston Thistle), Watt (Kilbirnie), Low (Kilbirnie), Logan (Ayr), Adams (Kilmarnock Athletic), Cunningham (Ayr)

Renfrewshire were had no players from either Abercorn or St.Mirren but still proved too strong for Ayrshire.

EAST of SCOTLAND SHIELD, FINAL

HEART of MIDLOTHIAN     3            ARMADALE                 0               5,000

Half time: 1-0                                                         Referee: Mr Sneddon (East of Scotland FA)

Tynecastle Park, Edinburgh

Heart of Midlothian win their second trophy of the season without too much difficulty.

ORDINARY MATCHES (SELECTED)

CAMBUSLANG                  3            MORTON                              2

Half time: 1-1                                                         Referee:

Whitefield Park, Cambuslang

LEITH ATHLETIC                  2            CLYDE                                  0

Half time: 2-0                                                         Referee: Mr T Hobson (East of Scotland FA)

Bank Park, Leith

PARTICK THISTLE             1            QUEEN’S PARK                 3         4,000

Half time: 1-1                                                         Referee:

Inchview Park, Whiteinch

NORTHERN LEAGUE PROPOSED

Some 40 delegates representing a number of clubs in the north of Scotland met in Dundee to discuss the possibility of establishing a Northern League. With the benefits of a league structure established much of the discussion surrounded the number of teams that would take part. By the tight vote of 12 votes to 11, it was agreed a league of 12 teams would be formed. The league would consist of 4 teams from Dundee; Dundee Harp, East End, Johnstone Wanderers and Our Boys, 3 teams from Aberdeen; Aberdeen, Orion and Victoria United, the two Perth teams, St.Johnstone and Fair City and Arbroath, Forfar Athletic and Montrose. A committee was elected to draw up the rules and constitution and a further meeting was set to be held in Dundee within a month.

Monday, 16th March 1891

ROSEBERRY CHARITY CUP COMMITTEE MEETING

The committee responsible for the running of the Roseberry Charity Cup met to decide the draw for this season’s competition. Due to Hibernian and St.Bernard’s not being available it was agreed that invitations should be sent to Queen’s Park and Raith Rovers. On the assumption that both clubs would accept the ties were drawn as Leith Athletic or Raith Rovers would play Queen’s Park on Saturday 28th March 1891 and Heart of Midlothian would play Mossend Swifts on Saturday 11th April 1891.

FIXTURE REARRANGEMENT

Third Lanark are due to play Heart of Midlothian at Cathkin Park in a league match on Saturday, 21st March 1891 and on the same day Queen’s Park face Corinthians at Hampden Park. As the fixture clash could have a detrimental effect on spectator turnout at both grounds, Queen’s Park approached Third Lanark requesting that they play their league match in Edinburgh instead. Third Lanark readily agreed but had to get the agreement of Heart of Midlothian. Hearts at first refused giving “Queen's Park never did us any favours" as a reason but have now reluctantly agreed to the switch. The return fixture, scheduled for Saturday, 18th April 1891, will now take place at Cathkin Park.

Wednesday, 18th March 1891

QUEEN’S PARK COMMITTEE MEETING

In an unprecedented move the Queen’s Park committee agreed to have the players selected to represent Scotland against England, to represent Queen’s Park in their traditional match against Corinthians on Saturday first. The reason given was that it would be an ideal match to prepare for the forthcoming international against England at Blackburn.

This was a smart move by Queen’s Park. Despite the spin that it was for the benefit of the Scotland team, it really was for the benefit of Queen’s Park. Finances had suffered this season due to gate takings being down on previous years, a number of reasons being the cause; lack of “quality” opposition given that the league clubs were unavailable and the severe winter weather being the primary reasons. Having avoided a fixture clash had the Third Lanark v Heart of Midlothian gone ahead at Cathkin Park; they still had the counter attraction of the league clash between Celtic and Rangers at Celtic Park to contend with. Having the non Queen’s Park players guesting for them not only increased their chances of them beating Corinthians but had the potential to attract a bigger gate. Queen’s Park was not as altruistic as they would like to appear.

Thursday, 19th March 1891

RENTON FC v SFA, COURT DATE SET

The Scottish Football Association, having accepted the appeal judges ruling that Renton FC did have the authority to sue them, were ordered to appear before Lord Kincairney on Wednesday, 15th July 1891.

SCOTTISH ALLIANCE LEAGUE – A STEP CLOSER TO REALITY

The meeting was attended by representatives of Airdrieonians, Clyde, East Stirlingshire, Kilmarnock, Leith Athletic, Linthouse, Morton, Northern, Partick Thistle, Port Glasgow Athletic and Thistle.

The secretary read out a reply from Queen’s Park declining at present to join the Alliance as they could not see their way to bind themselves to fixtures they would be unable to fulfil. The meeting therefore resolved to elect a 12th club to fill the vacancy thus caused. The secretary read applications from 14 clubs seeking admittance to the Alliance and after a preliminary vote this was whittled down to 4 – Ayr, Falkirk, King’s Park and Edinburgh Northern (St. Bernard’s). The next vote saw Falkirk and Edinburgh Northern eliminated and in the final vote Ayr were elected 2 votes ahead of King’s Park. It was also resolved that should any of the 12 clubs in the Alliance be selected for the Scottish League, or for any other reason retire, King’s Park would get the vacancy.

The draft rules and constitution was adopted by the meeting. These were almost exactly the same rules as the Scottish League, the only differences being the name of the league and the subscription and penalty values, these being slightly less than the Scottish League.

It was decided that the next meeting would take place around the end of May 1891.  Mr Boag (Partick Thistle) and Mr Moir (Northern) were appointed to act as interim chairman and secretary respectively.

GLASGOW MERCHANTS’ CHARITY CUP COMMITTEE MEETING

The Glasgow Charity Cup committee met to decide on which teams to invite to take part in the forthcoming tournament. No definte arrangements were made as they were awaiting a reply from Heart of Midlothian to take part as Scottish Cup winners. Should Hearts agree they are likely to be joined by Third Lanark (as holders) along with Celtic, Dumbarton, Queen’s Park and Rangers.

Friday, 20th March 1891

QUEEN’S PARK DECLINE INVITE

Queen’s Park have declined the invitation from the Roseberry Charity Cup Committee to take part in the forthcoming competition. They gave prior commitments on the relevant dates as their reason.

Saturday, 21st March 1891

LEAGUE FIXTURES ROUND 24

ABERCORN                           1            COWLAIRS                           0                   2,000

McLaren               

Half time: 0-0                                                         Referee: Mr A. McLean (Vale of Leven Wanderers)

Abercorn: Fleming, A. Cuthbertson, D. Cuthbertson, Johnstone, Bowie, Reid, Wallace, Nicol, Cree, McLaren, Bonnar

Cowlairs: Duff, McCartney, McLeod, Masterton, Buist, Elliott, McPherson, Lyall, McGhee, Henderson, Shanks

CAMBUSLANG                  2            DUMBARTON                       2                   2,000

Brown,Untraced                                                   Taylor,Bell                                           

Half time: 1-0                                                         Referee:

Cambuslang: Ross, Ramsey, Collins, Russell, Jackson, Thomson, Love, J. Buchanan, Maxwell, Gourlay, Brown

Dumbarton: McLeod, Watson, Miller, McMillan, Boyle, Keir, Taylor, Galbraith, Henderson, McNaught, Bell

CELTIC                                   2            RANGERS                             2                 12,000

Dowds(2)                                                               Kerr,Hislop

Half time: 1-1                                                         Referee: Mr Robertson (5th KRV)

Celtic: Bell, Reynolds, McKeown, Malley, McGhee, Gallagher, Madden, Boyle, Dowds, McMahon, Campbell

Rangers: Reid, Hofge, Gow, Marshall, A. McCreadie, Mitchell, Hislop, Henderson, Kerr, McPherson, H. McCreadie

THIRD LANARK                    P            HEART of MIDLOTHIAN         P

Match postponed. Played at Tynecastle Park instead.

VALE of LEVEN                  5            St.MIRREN                        2               2,000

Cowan,Bruce(2),Mills,Graham                         McAuley,Dunlop

Half time: 2-1                                                         Referee:

Vale of Leven: Doherty, Smith,Darroch, Cornoch, McAdam, J. Sharp, T. Graham, Cowan, Rice, Mills, Bruce

St.Mirren: Cameron, A. McBain, Hunter, E. McBain, Jones, McCartney, Wylie, Dunlop, Douglas, McAuley, Morrison

REARRANGED FIXTURE

HEART of MIDLOTHIAN    4            THIRD LANARK            1               3,000

Russell,Scott(2),Taylor                                       Faulds

Half time: 2-0                                                         Referee:

Match brought forward from 18th April 1891

Heart of Midlothian: Fairbairn, Adams, Goodfellow, Hastie, Waterston, Stirling, Tayor, Mason, Russell, Ross, Scott

Third Lanark: Downie, A. Thomson, Smith, Scott, Love, Lapsley, Faulds, W. Thomson, Johnstone, McInnes, Burke

League Table

 

 

P

W

D

L

F

A

Pts

GA

1.

Dumbarton

13

10

3

0

46

13

23

3.538

2.

Rangers

13

9

3

1

43

20

21

2.150

3.

Cambuslang

12

5

3

4

34

31

13

1.097

4.

Heart of Midlothian

11

5

1

5

24

20

11

1.200

5.

Celtic

11

6

2

3

28

17

10*

1.647

6.

Third Lanark

9

4

1

4

21

23

9

0.913

7.

Vale of Leven

13

4

1

8

21

45

9

0.467

8.

Abercorn

13

3

1

9

28

38

7

0.737

9.

St.Mirren

13

3

1

9

29

49

7

0.592

10.

Cowlairs

12

2

2

8

17

35

2*

0.486

* Celtic and Cowlairs both deducted 4 points for fielding ineligible players

A full League programme saw no change at the top as both Dumbarton and Rangers drew. Cambuslang remain a distant third.

When these two teams met at Springburn a few weeks back, Cowlairs won 7-5. This time there was nowhere near 12 goals. Abercorn attacked continuously right from the start but found the Cowlairs defence a hards nut to crack, Duff in goal was in excellent form. It was 30 minutes into the game before Cowlairs had their first attack and somehow the game remained scoreless at half time. The second half was a repeat of the first with Duff, McCartney and McLeod repelling the Abercorn advances. Eventually Cowlairs cracked and McLaren scored the only goal of the game for Abercorn. Near the end Cowlairs’ McCartney was sent off for striking Bonnar.

Cambuslang continued their recent good form as they hosted leaders Dumbarton. Cambuslang started strongly but Dumbarton gradually eased into the game. First blood went to Cambuslang and they held that slender lead at half time. Two minutes after the restart Dumbarton equalised through Taylor. A minute later, after a brilliant solo run by Bell, Dumbarton took the lead. From this point on it was more or less all Dumbarton but with 10 minutes remaining Brown equalised for Cambuslang.

Both Celtic and Rangers opened smartly, both attacking with some flair. It was played at a fast pace and proved to be an even contest. On 15 minutes McPherson beat Bell but he was clearly offside and the goal was ruled out. Six minutes later Kerr opened the scoring for Rangers but Celtic came back and equalised through Dowds just before half time. The second half was again a fast even affair and Dowds again scored to put Celtic ahead. Being ahead Celtic looked favourites to win but Rangers pressed hard for an equaliser. Just before the end Hislop scored and the match ended even.

Both Vale and St.Mirren have so far had a miserable league season but this match was keenly contested from the start. McAuley opened the scoring for St.Mirren but Vale of Leven, without Wilson and Rankin who were suspended and Whitelaw who had quit the club over a dispute, fought back strongly and went in front before half time with goals from Cowan and Bruce. In the second half the Vale extended their lead by a further two goals from Mills and Bruce grabbing his second. Dunlop made it 4-2 before Graham gave the Vale a comfortable, and much needed, 5-2 win.

The match between Hearts and Third Lanark was originally due to be played at Cathkin Park but was switched to Tynecastle in order to avoid a clash with the Queen’s Park v Corinthians match at Hampden Park. Since losing to Hearts in the Scottish Cup Final, Third Lanark have only won one game and they had the best of play in the opening exchanges. The Hearts defense held firm and gradually their attacking game improved. This was confirmed when Russell put Hearts 1-0 up on 30 minutes then Scott doubled their lead just before half time. Shortly after the restart Taylor made it 3-0 before Faulds pulled one back for Thirds from a free kick 6 yards from goal. Scott scored his second and Hearts 4th just before the end.

HOME INTERNATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH

WALES                             3            SCOTLAND                         4               4,000

Bowdler(2),Owen                                 Logan,Buchanan,Boyd(2)

Half time: 2-1                                                         Referee: Mr C. Crump (England FA)

The Racecourse Ground, Wrexham

Wales: Trainer (Preston North End), Powell (West Bromwich Albion), D. Jones (Bolton Wanderers), Lea (Wrexham), H. Jones (Queen’s Park), Parry (Everton), Davies (Chirk), Owen (Chirk), Turner (Wrexham), Bowdler (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Lewis (Crewe)

Scotland: McCorkindale (Partick Thistle), Ritchie (East Stirlingshire), Hepburn(Alloa Athletic), McQueen (Leith Athletic), Brown (St.Mirren), Robertson (Queen’s Park) (Capt.), Gulliland (Queen’s Park), Buchanan (Abercorn), Logan (Ayr), Boyd (Mossend Swifts), Keillor (Montrose)

The Scotland team showed two changes from the original selection, McCorkindale replaced Gillespie (Queen’s Park) in goal and Boyd replace Richardson (Hurlford) up front. This was no easy opening Home Championship match for Scotland as the game swung one way then the other. Logan scored for Scotland but Wales fought back with goals from Bowdler and Owen to gain a 2-1 half time lead. In the second half Buchanan equalised for Scotland then Boyd put them 3-2 ahead. Wales fought back again and Bowdler made it 3-3. Near the end Boyd scored again for Scotland to give them a 4-3 victory.

ORDINARY MATCHES (SELECTED)

CLYDE                                   2            ROYAL ALBERT                  2

Half time: 1-0                                                         Referee:

Barrowfield Park, Glasgow

SCOTLAND XI                    9            UNIVERSITY                         2       10,000

(QUEEN’S PARK)                                    CORINTHIANS

Sellar,Berry,Watt(4),Baird(2),Rankin                Clark,Lindley

Half time: 4-2                                                         Referee: Mr Bishop (Falkirk)

Hampden Park, Glasgow

Scotland XI: Wilson (Vale of Leven), Arnott (Queen’s Park), Smellie (Queen’s Park), Begbie (Heart of Midlothian), McPherson (Heart of Midlothian), Hill (Heart of Midlothian), Watt (Kiklbirnie), Berry (Queen’s Park), Sellar (Queen’s Park), Baird (Heart of Midlothian), Rankin (Vale of Leven)

Corinthians: Wilkinson (Oxford), Harrison (Cambridge), Jackson (Oxford), Hossack (Cambridge), Wreford-Brown (Oxford), Shaw (Oxford), Pike (Cambridge), Currey (Oxford), Lindley (Cambridge), Stanburgh (Cambridge), Clark (Cambridge)

The Scotland XI were slow to start and were 2-0 down within 20 minutes, Clark and Lindley the men on target for the University Corinthians. However Scotland stormed back and were 4-2 ahead by half time with goals from Sellar, Berry and a Watt double. In the second half the home team showed no mercy and scored a further 5 goals. Baird twice, Watt, Rankin and Watt again the scorers.

Tuesday, 24th March 1891

GLASGOW MERCHANTS’ CHARITY CUP COMMITTEE MEETING

The charity committee met to conduct the arrangements and make the draw for this season’s compitition. In the first semi final Celtic will play Third Lanark on Saturday, 11th April 1891 and in the second semi final Queen’s Park will play Rangers on Saturday, 18th April. The final will be played on Saturday, 25th April 1891 and all games will take place at Hampden Park, Glasgow.

It would appear that the committee had ignored the Scottish League’s written request to hold the competition in May.

Wednesday, 25th March 1891

EAST of SCOTLAND FA MEETING

The committee met to finalise arrangements for the Roseberry Charity Cup competition. It was noted that Queen’s Park had declined the invitation to take part. The revised draw was therefore Raith Rovers against Leith Athletic in the first semi final to be played on Saturday, 4th April 1891; the second semi final will be Mossend Swifts against Heart of Midlothian on Saturday, 11th April 1891.

ANOTHER LEAGUE TO BE FORMED?

Following the creation of the Scottish Alliance and the Northern Leagues, representatives of Arthurlie, Falkirk, Kilmarnock Athletic, King’s Park, Pollokshaws, Royal Albert and Wanderers (Glasgow) met with a view to forming a Scottish Federation League. It was agreed that the league would consist of 12 teams, the 7 represented and 5 others, and they would adopt similar rules to that of the Scottish and Alliance leagues. The 5 clubs to be invited would be Albion Rovers, Burnbank Swifts, Dykebar, Motherwell and Wishaw Thistle. A further meeting was scheduled for 1st April 1891.

Friday, 27th March 1891

SCOTTISH LEAGUE COMMITTEE MEETING

The committee met to discuss the position of the league with regard to the Glasgow Charity Cup competition; three league clubs were scheduled to take part. Despite the league requesting that the competition be held in May, the charity committee went ahead with arrangements for April. The league committee decided to take no action until a reply from the charity committee was received.

Heart of Midlothian requested postponement of their league match against St.Mirren on Saturday, 11th April 1891 as they were due to play Mossend Swifts in a Roseberry Charity Cup match on the same day. The league agreed to the postponement subject to both clubs mutually agreeing a new date.

ORDINARY MATCHES (SELECTED)

BOLTON WANDERERS            2            CELTIC                                 2                   4,000

Half time: 2-0                                                         Referee:

Pike’s Lane, Bolton

BURNLEY                              7            LINTHOUSE                          2                

Half time:                                                               Referee:

Turf Moor, Burnley

EVERTON                              3            VALE of LEVEN                    0

Half time:                                                               Referee:

Anfield Park, Liverpool

As had become traditional over the Easter weekend, some Scottish clubs began a short tour of England.

Saturday, 28th March 1891

LEAGUE FIXTURES ROUND 25

COWLAIRS                            0            RANGERS                             2                   2,000

                                                                                Henderson,Hislop              

Half time: 0-1                                                         Referee:

Cowlairs: Duff, McCartney, McLeod, Masterton, McPherson, Elliott, McEwan, Lyall, Buist, Henderson, Shanks

Rangers: Reid, Gow, Hodge, Marshall, A. McCreadie, Mitchell, Hislop, Henderson, Kerr, McPherson, H. McCreadie

DUMBARTON                     5            THIRD LANARK                    1                   3,000

Bell(2), McLeod,Hutcheson,Taylor                               W.Thomson                                        

Half time: 2-0                                                         Referee: Mr Allison

Dumbarton: McLeod, Watson, Miller, McMillan, Boyle, Keir, Taylor, Galbraith, Hutcheson, McNaught, Bell

Third Lanark: Downie, A. Thomson, Smith, Johnstone, Love, Scott, Faulds, Wills, Lapsley, McInnes, W. Thomson

HEART of MIDLOTHIAN         1            ABERCORN                         1                  1,500

Scott                                                                       Nicol

Half time: 1-1                                                         Referee: 

Heart of Midlothian: Fairbairn, Adams, Goodfellow, Wilson, Waterston, Stirling, Taylor, Mason, Russell, Scott, Ross

Abercorn: Fleming, A. Cuthbertson, D. Cuthbertson, Johnstone, Bowie, Reid, Wallace, Nicol, Buchanan, McLaren, Bonnar

St.MIRREN                          2            CAMBUSLANG                 3             3,000

Dunlop,Untraced                                                 Buchanan,McAuley(og),Gourlay

Half time: 1-3                                                         Referee:

St.Mirren: Cameron, A. McBain, McFarlane, McCartney, Brown, E. McBain, Douglas, McAuley, Wylie, Dunlop, Foran

Cambuslang: Ross, Ramsey, Collins, Russell, Jackson, Jamieson, Muir, Buchanan, Maxwell, Gourlay, Brown

League Table

 

 

P

W

D

L

F

A

Pts

GA

1.

Dumbarton

14

11

3

0

51

14

25

3.643

2.

Rangers

14

10

3

1

45

20

23

2.250

3.

Cambuslang

13

6

3

4

37

33

15

1.121

4.

Heart of Midlothian

12

5

2

5

25

21

12

1.190

5.

Celtic

11

6

2

3

28

17

10*

1.647

6.

Third Lanark

10

4

1

5

22

28

9

0.786

7.

Vale of Leven

13

4

1

8

21

45

9

0.467

8.

Abercorn

14

3

2

9

29

39

8

0.744

9.

St.Mirren

14

3

1

10

31

52

7

0.596

10.

Cowlairs

13

2

2

9

17

37

2*

0.459

* Celtic and Cowlairs both deducted 4 points for fielding ineligible players

Dumbarton and Rangers still fight it out the the top, both have 4 games left to play with Dumbarton in pole position with a two point lead. Dumbarton’s remaining games are all away whilst Rangers’ games are all at home.

With McGhee missing, Cowlairs played with centre half Buist up front. Even playing against the wind Rangers had the best of the play but found the Springburn men hard to break down. Eventually the pressure paid off and Rangers took the lead when a Henderson shot rebounded off McLeod back to him and he made no mistake a second time. Cowlairs opened up after this and pressed for an equaliser. Rangers thought they had scored a second but was ruled out for offside. In the second half it was more or less all Rangers and Hislop scored a deserved second.

Dumbarton are still undefeated in the league and had no difficulty against a sorry Third Lanark. Dumbarton pounded the Warrior’s goal right from the start but it was not until 30 minutes into the game that the Sons broke the deadlock, Bell the scorer. Dumbarton were now so comfortable that goalkeeper McLeod swapped places with centre-forward Hutcheson for a spell, indeed it was McLeod who scored Dumbarton’s second goal.  In the second half McLeod reverted back to goalkeeper and Hutcheson scored the third with a header from a corner. A minute after that Third Lanark unexpectedly scored through W. Thomson to reduce the defecit. However Dumbarton stormed back and Taylor scored Dumbarton’s 4th and near the end Bell added his own second and his teams 5th for an easy victory.

Abercorn made a great against Hearts and were a goal in front within the first few minutes, Nicol being the scorer. Hearts forced their way back into the game but Abercorn were still creating chances. Just before the break Scott grabbed the equaliser for the Tynecastle men. In the second half it was constant attacking from Hearts but Abercorn held firm for the point.

St.Mirren had Cambuslang on the back foot right from the start but a Cambuslang breakaway saw Buchanan give them the lead. Shortly after St.Mirren added to their own demise when McAuley headed past his own goalkeeper from a Cambuslang free kick. Within three minutes of that, a defensive mix-up allowed Gourlay to score a third. Right on half time St.Mirren got their act together and they pulled a goal back from a scrimmage. In the second half it was all St.Mirren but Cambuslang were still dangerous on the break. With only 5 minutes left a St.Mirren free kick saw Dunlop make it 3-2 and that was how the game ended.

HOME INTERNATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH

SCOTLAND                           2            IRELAND                              4          8,000

Low,Waddell                                                        Stanfield

Half time: 1-0                                                         Referee: Mr W. H. Stacey (Sheffield FA)

Celtic Park, Glasgow

Scotland: Gillespie (Queen’s Park) (Capt.), Sillars (Queen’s Park), Paul (Dykebar), Hamilton (Hurlford), Clelland (Royal Albert), Campbell (Kilmarnock), Low (Cambuslang), Clements (Leith Athletic), Bowie (Linthouse), Waddell (Queen’s Park), Fraser (Moffat)

Ireland: Loyal (Clarence), Gordon (Linfield), Forbes (Distillery), Crawford (Cliftonville), Reynolds (Ulster), Moore (Linfield), Dalton (Distillery), Gaffikin (Distillery), Stanfield (Distillery), Brisby (Distillery), Torrans (Linfield)

Scotland showed 4 changes from the one originally selected; Gillespie replaced McCorkindale (Partick Thistle) in goal, Sillars replace Hunter (St.Mirren), Hamilton replaced (McMillan (Dumbarton) and Campbell replaced McLaren (Celtic). Low scored after just 6 minutes and Waddell made it 2-0 on the hour. Stanfield replied for Ireland with 5 minutes remaining.

ORDINARY MATCHES (SELECTED)

ARDWICK                             2            CELTIC                                 7         6,000

Half time: 1-3                                                         Referee:

Hyde Road, Manchester

ASTON VILLA           10            PARTICK THISTLE              0

Half time: 6-0                                                         Referee:

Wellington Road, Birmingham

QUEEN’S PARK              4            KILMARNOCK                   2

Half time: 2-2                                                         Referee:

Hampden Park, Glasgow

SUNDERLAND                     3            LINTHOUSE                          1        3,000

Half time: 1-1                                                         Referee:

Newcastle Road, Sunderland

Monday, 30th March 1891

ORDINARY MATCHES (SELECTED)

ARDWICK                             3            PARTICK THISTLE              3

Half time: 1-1                                                         Referee:

Hyde Road, Manchester

BLACKBURN ROVERS            0            CELTIC                              2       5,000

Half time: 0-0                                                         Referee:

Ewood Park, Blackburn

DISTILLERY                          1            DUMBARTON                       8          500

Half time: 0-2                                                         Referee:

Grosvenor Park, Belfast

PRESTON NORTH END            2            VALE of LEVEN                    0

Half time: 0-0                                                         Referee:

Deepdale, Preston

ROYAL ARSENAL              1            HEART of MIDLOTHIAN     5       12,000

Half time: 1-1                                                         Referee: Mr Kennedy

Invicta Grounds, London

Tuesday, 31st March 1891

ORDINARY MATCH

SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY         1            CELTIC                         3         7,000

Half time: 1-1                                                         Referee: Mr Lowles

Olive Grove, Sheffield

Celtic complete their Easter tour of England having played 4 games in 5 days, winning 3 and drawing one.