Re: FA Cup 1871/1872
Posted: Tue Dec 15, 2020 12:49 pm
by anthony.brown
Match 1 Clapham Rovers 3 Upton Park 0
The above match which was for the first ties of the Association Challenge Cup, was played at Upton on Saturday, and resulted in an easy victory for the former by three goals to nothing. For the first quarter of an hour the home team played up well together, and the game was very even. At length, after a good rush of the Rovers, Kenrick, by a first-rate piece of play, succeeded in getting the first goal. After this the Upton men seemed to lose spirit, and hardly a quarter of an hour had elapsed before Thompson, who was backing-up well, was rewarded by a goal. After change of ends, the game got much slower, but nevertheless Kenrick, who played magnificently during the whole time, secured one more goal about ten minutes before time. Besides Kenrick, Ogilvie and Wace played well for the Rovers; and Warner (back), Freeth, and Curwen for Upton tried their best to alter the aspect of the game.
Sides:
Clapham Rovers: R.H.Birkett (captain), J.Kenrick, and R.Ogilvie (backs), R.W.Dent, G.Holden, A.Nash, A.J.Nash, P.St Quentin, A.Thompson, C.C.Tayloe, and C.F.Wace.
Upton Park: C.Warner (captain), W.Freeth, M.Jutsum, F.Wilton, T.Kitson, H.Compton, E.Curwen, W.B.Gardner, A.M.Jones, F.Barnett, and C.E.Wilson.
The Sportsman Wednesday 15th November 1871
Match 2 Hitchin 0 Crystal Palace 0
On Saturday the Crystal Palace Club went to Hitchin to play the latter club for the first tie of the Association Cup. A drizzling rain descended during the first half of the game, and made the ground greasy and slippery, and was rather against rapid locomotion. The Palace won the toss, gaining the advantage thereby of a slight breeze at their backs. The ball was kicked off at three o'clock, and both sides worked with a will, and seemed determined to leave no stone unturned to secure victory. It would be difficult to say which side had the best of it, as the ball was generally kept in neutral territory, though on one or two occasions the Hitchin goal was imperilled by the impetuous attacks of the Palace forwards, of whom Spreckley and Foster were conspicuous, but the admirable back play of C.A.Baker frustrated all well-meant designs on their parts. As no goal had been obtained at half-time sides were changed, but, with the exception that Hitchin appeared to have slightly the best of it towards the end, the game remained drawn when time was called, no goal having been got on either side. The Crystal Palace men played well together, and were more conversant with the rules than their opponents, who, however, played up with great spirit, W.T.Lucas, W.G.Hazelrigg, and G,Jackson being conspicuous forwards; whilst for the Palace, besides those mentioned, Bouch and Soden were always well on the ball, and Cockerell, at half-back, rendered valuable assistance.
Sides:
Hitchin: Cecil Frederick Reid (captain), William Tindall Lucas, Francis Shillitoe, W.Hill, G.D.Baker, H.E.Baker, C.A.Baker, W.G.Hazelrigg, T.C.Mainwaring, G.Jackson, and Ernest Woodgate.
Crystal Palace: D.Allport (captain), A.Morten, J.Cockerell, A.J.Heath, W.Bouch, C.E.Smith, F.B.Soden, H.Dawkes, W.C.Foster, T.F.Spreckley, and J.Turner (goal-keeper).
The Sportsman Wednesday 15th November 1871
Match 3 Maidenhead 2 Great Marlow 0
On Saturday last, 11th November 1871, the first match was played with Great Marlow, at Maidenhead. Great interest was shown in the game, as it became known that these two Clubs, both members of the Football Association in London, had entered for the Challenge Cup given by that society, and by their rules had been drawn to play the first ties together. It was a most exciting and interesting game throughout, and was witnessed by a great number of spectators. Some excellent play was shown on both sides, but a decided victory was gained by Maidenhead, they having gained two goals. J.H.Clark, Esq., Lowood, was umpire for Maidenhead, and W.Wood, Esq., for Marlow. The players were: -
Maidenhead: W.Goulden (captain), Rev.A.Austen Leigh, T.N.Carter, Lloyd, J.W.Mornington, G.Young, F.Price, Vardy, F.Nicholson, Hebbes, C.Richardson.
Marlow: A.C.Faulkner (captain), S.Wright, C.J.Ottaway, C.Clay, Tindall, J.Batting, J.Stockbridge, J.D.Crossman, Beven, T.Kedge, Nichol.
Reading Mercury Saturday 18th November 1871
Match 4 Barnes 2 Civil Service 0
One of the first ties for the Football Association Cup was played on Saturday last, 11th November 1871, between the above clubs, and ended in a victory for Barnes by two goals to none on the part of the Service. The match was deprived of a good deal of interest that might have attached to it through the Civil Service coming down, as usual, short-handed, playing throughout only eight men to their opponents' eleven. Their captain, with the urbanity which distinguishes the 'C.S.' in general, and himself particularly, showed at the commencement that he did not wish to take advantage of any external influences that existed by carefully losing the toss, thus enabling Barnes to obtain the aid of a stiff breeze that was blowing straight down the ground. From the commencement it was apparent that the Civil Service, through smallness of numbers, would have to play a defensive game, and so well did they all work that when half-time was called no material advantage was gained by their adversaries. With change of ends and the wind more against them the Barnes men did not flag in their exertions, and though every man of the C.S worked as if the fate of his side was dependent upon his individual exertions, still fortune, aided by the toe of P.Weston, with the apparent collusion of two Civil Service backs, who shall be nameless, at length gave Barnes a very fluky goal. With the loss of their goal the spirits of the C.S. became greatly diluted, and their play displayed such a lack of energy that within a few minutes of the time the first goal was obtained another very good one was kicked for Barnes by A.R.Dunnage, who had during the whole time been playing in a very quiet and effective manner. From this time till darkness the game was contested very fiercely, but no alteration was made in the score. The match throughout was played in a very much more forcible than scientific manner, and the rule of no hands caused a good deal of argument, which might have been more advantageously employed in the councils of the Association than in the football field, one of the Barnes men in particular drawing a delicate distinction between 'fisting' the ball and handling it, which did not appear to be properly appreciated by the Civil Service. The experience of this match suggests the advisability of umpires being nominated who have no personal interest in the result of the game, and whose decision upon any points of dispute which arise should be final. For Barnes, P.Weston played with great coolness and judgment, and with additional years and weight will develop into a player that would credit any team. C.J.Morice also played well, and A.R.Dunnage showed that quietness of demeanour and no wish to display his powers of repartee, did not detract from the effectiveness of his play. For the Civil Service A.E.Bateman came out in his old form and played admirably, whilst W.C.Butler, W.H.White, and J.Wearne played hard and well.
Sides:
Barnes: P.Weston (captain), E.C.Highton, C.J.Morice, W.R.Collins, E.T.Weston, A.R.Dunnage, V.Weston, W.Bruce, R.W.Willis, H.E.Solly, and F.C.Clarkson.
Civil Service: J.H.Giffard (captain), W.C.Butler, A.E.Bateman, J.Wearne, C.W.A.Trollope, H.C.Houndle, W.H.White, and J.Kirkpatrick.
The Sportsman Wednesday 15th November 1871
Match 5 Wanderers 1 Clapham Rovers 0
On Saturday last, 16th December 1871, the above clubs met for the second time this season. The occasion of this meeting was the second round in the competition for the Association Challenge Cup, the draw for the ties having pitted two of the strongest clubs in London against one another. An even contest was generally anticipated, and these expectations were more than realised, as the match was from first to last maintained with great equality, although the result was a victory for the Wanderers. Owing to the reprehensibly late arrival of some of the latter, the game, instead of being commenced at half-past two, was delayed until three o'clock, and consequently, during the last quarter of an hour was sustained in almost total darkness. Both sides were strong, although at the last moment the Wanderers were compelled to fill the places of A.C.Thompson and R.H.Benson with others of their body. At three o'clock the ball was kicked off by T.S.Baker on behalf of the Clapham eleven, and for some little time there was no noticeable inequality, the well-concerted rushes of the Clapham forwards being ably repelled by the efficient play of the Wanderers' half-back (E.Lubbock). Meanwhile the Wanderers' forwards had been working with praiseworthy energy, and at last, after some brilliant dribbling by W.P.Crake, a chance kick at goal was offered the Hon. T.H.Pelham, and steadying himself cleverly for the shot, the latter by a neat kick secured the fall of the Clapham goal. Ends were consequently changed, and the fight again resumed with unabated vigour by both parties. Again the equality that was visible at the outset was the prominent feature of the play, and until the end there was indeed no sign that it was likely to be disturbed. Once in turn was each goal seriously threatened, by C.W.Alcock on the one hand, and on the other by the Rovers, after a really splendid run-down by G.Holden, but Birkett and Welsh were each equal to the emergency, and the danger was averted. Thus, in the absence of any score to the Rovers, when time was called, at half-past four o'clock, the Wanderers remained in possession of a well-earned victory, after one of the most pleasantly-contested games of the season. The victors worked together better than usual, and discarded much of the selfish style that is sometimes displayed by certain of their members, but their success, it must be admitted, was also in no small measure attributable to the extremely fine and plucky play of E.Lubbock, who, as half-back, was irreproachable. The Rovers, in some instances, failed to display their customary energy and skill, but no such exception can be taken to the names of Ogilvie, Kenrick, and Holden, who were certainly the most prominent representatives of Clapham. Kenrick throughout was especially useful, and Holden on several occasions elicited well-earned applause by his excellent dribbling. For the Wanderers, A.G.Bonsor deserves especial praise, and M.P.Betts worked as hard as he charged.
Sides:
Wanderers: E.Lubbock (half-back), R.C.Welch (back), C.W.Stephenson (goal), C.W.Alcock, M.P.Betts, E.E.Bowen, A.G.Bonsor, W.P.Crake, T.C.Hooman, P.T.R.Carnac, and Hon.T.H.Pelham.
Clapham Rovers: R.H.Birkett (captain, goals), C.C.Harvey (back), J.Kenrick and R.Ogilvie (half-backs), T.S.Baker, C.C.Bryden, G.Holden, C.L.Huggins, A.J.Nash, P.St Quentin, and R.S.F.Walker.
A.Y.Nash was a most efficient umpire.
The Sportsman Wednesday 20th December 1871
Match 6 Crystal Palace 3 Maidenhead 0
On Saturday last these clubs met at the Crystal Palace for the first time, having been drawn together in the second round of the ties for the Association Challenge Cup. The visitors having won the toss, took the upper goal, and at 3.15 the ball was kicked off, when the Maidenhead men immediately took the offensive, and for some time had certainly the best of the game, their play being thoroughly sound in principle, and the Crystal Palace were only saved from defeat by the superior speed of their forwards, among whom Armitage and Bouch were invaluable for their persistent following and quick rushes with the ball. When shortly before half-time the Palace were reinforced by the arrival of their late member, matters assumed a more even aspect, and at half-time both goals had been threatened, but neither captured. Shortly after the change of ends the visitors had the best chance of a goal which fell to their lot throughout the match, but their intentions were frustrated. Very soon, however, a different state of affairs prevailed, and a good goal was obtained for the Crystal Palace by Lloyd, the result in part of a judicious throw in from touch. Almost immediately afterwards Bouch secured a second by a long side kick, the ball grazing both the tape and goal-keeper's hands. Within a few minutes of 'time' a third goal ws obtained for the Crystal Palace by Chenery, who had worked hard throughout, and thus at the finish the home team were adjudged the victors by three goals to none. For the visitors, Vardy (back), and Austen-Leigh and Mornington (forward) were most valuable, while their captain lost no opportunity for effective attack, and with few exceptions the victorious forward players all played well.
Sides:
CRYSTAL PALACE: D.Allport (captain) and A.J.Heath (backs), A.Morten (goal keeper), H.F.Abell, W.M.Allport, C.C.Armitage, W.Bouch, C.J.Chenery, A.Lloyd, C.E.Smith, and T.F.Spreckley.
MAIDENHEAD: W.Goulden (captain), Rev.A.H.Austen-Leigh, W.M.Carter, G.H.Hibbis, J.W.Mornington, T.W.Nicholson, F.W.Nicholson, C.J.Richardson, G.Wells, G.Young, and A.Vardy.
Bell's Life in London and Sporting Chronicle Saturday 23rd December 1871
Match 7 Royal Engineers v Hitchin Club
These clubs met at the Oval on the 10th January 1872 to play off their tie for the Association Cup. The result was in favour of the Royal Engineers by five goals to none. This easy victory was attributable to the Hitchin Club only bringing eight men to the post. The game is deserving of little comment, as it was a one-sided affair from beginning to end of the play, which lasted one hour in thick fog. For the Hitchin Club W.Hill and F.Lucas worked hard.
Hitchin Club: F.H.Lucas (captain), W.Hill, H.Mainwaring, H.O.Crow, E.Woodgate, T.McKenzie, A.Bailey, and A.Dawson. Absentees: Cecil Frederick Reid, W.Hickes, and W.Foster.
Royal Engineers: Capt.Merriman(captain), Capt.Marandin, Lieuts.A.Bogle, G.Barker, H.Clarke, W.Ord, Mitchell, Rich, Sherrard, Renny-Tailyour, and Carter.
The Sportsman Saturday 13th January 1872
Match 8 Hampstead Heathens 1 Barnes 1
This match, being one of the ties for the Challenge Cup, was palyed at Barnes on Saturday last, 23rd December 1871, and after an exciting struggle ended in a draw, one goal falling to each side. The Hampstead Heathens' captain was fortunate enough to win the toss for goals, by which he had the advantage of a slight breeze. For some time the ball was kept well in the centre of the ground, but a united rush by Barnes, and a good kick by Dunnage, very nearly ended in the downfall of the Hampstead Heathens' goal. After this escape, the latter seemed to play up with more vigour, and some good dribbling by Barker, who was well backed up by his side, secured them the first goal. On reversing positions Barnes seemed determine to equalise matters again, and made one or two splendid rushes to the very threshold of their opponents' goal, but were then frustrated by the cool play of the Hampstead Heathens' backs. After an hour and eight minutes' determined play the Barnes team secured a goal, obtained by a good run of the two Hightons, although nearly prevented by the ball first touching the goal-post. For the Hampstead Heathens, Barker and Erskine (forward) showed some excellent play, an the Hightons by their hard work did good service for Barnes.
Sides:
HAMPSTEAD HEATHENS: J.P.Tatham (captain), S.R.Tatham, C.B.Dimond, H.Latham, R.B.Michell, A.Leach, H.P.Leach, H.W.Beauchamp, R.Barker, and A.M.S.Erskine.
BARNES: P.Weston (captain), A.C.Highton, E.C.Highton, Bruce, A.Adams, E.T.Weston, C.Ommanney, A.Dunnage, Todd, L.T.Williams, and Squiz.
The Sportsman Thursday 28th December 1871
Match 8 (Replay) Hampstead Heathens 1 Barnes 0
On Saturday afternoon, 6th January 1872, these clubs met for the second time, to play out their tie for the Association Cup, the first game having ended in a draw. The game, as before, was contested on the Barnes ground, and the Heathens again played one man short. Barnes having won the toss selected the upper goal, and play commenced at 3.15. No decided advantage was obtained by either side before half-time, although on one occasion the Heathens' goal was in great danger by a good general rush of the home team, who succeeded in passing all but the goal-keeper. From time to change the Heathens had decidedly the best of the game, and G.Leach, after several near attempts, succeeded by a good kick in placing the ball between the Barnes' goal-posts, thus winning the game for the Heathens by one goal to nothing.
For the Barnes, C.Warren and E.T.Weston were always up with the ball, and played a first-rate game throughout. For the Heathens, Barker at the side and Michell in the centre played in splendid form, and assisted most materially to their victory, whilst S.R.Tatham kicked with his usual judgment and never-failing coolness.
Sides:
HAMPSTEAD HEATHENS: J.P.Tatham (captain), S.R.Tatham (half-back), R.Barker, A.Bird, C.B.Dimond, A.Erskine, G.P.Leach, A.Leach, J.Marshall, and R.B.Michell.
BARNES: E.T.Weston (captain), P.Weston and J.Graham (backs), A.Adams, A.Dunnage, H.Ellis, A.C.Highton, E.C.Highton, C.Ommaney, H.Soley, and C.Warren.
Bell's Life in London Saturday 13th January 1872
Match 9 Wanderers 0 Crystal Palace 0
On Saturday last, 20th January 1872, this match, one of the third ties for the Association Challenge Cup, was played on Clapham Common, the ground having been kindly lent for the use of the contending clubs by the Clapham Rovers. The Wanderers were hardly so well represented as they might have been, while the Crystal Palace captain had collected an exceptionally strong team, and by adhering throughout to defensive tactics, succeeded in averting the defeat that was generally anticipated for his side.
At a quarter past three o'clock the ball was kicked off on behalf of the Crystal Palace, who had lost the toss, and were reduced to occupy the lower portion of the ground, though, to compensate for this disadvantage they had the assistance of a slight breeze. The backs on either side were D.Allport (half-back), A.J.Heath and P.G.Rouquette (backs) and A.Morten (goal-keeper), for the Crystal Palace; A.C.Thompson (half-back), E.Lubbock (back), and C.W.Stephenson (goal-keeper), for the Wanderers.
For the first quarter of an hour the Wanderers closely beseiged their opponents, and C.W.Alcock and A.G.Bonsor each made an excellent try at goal, that by the former just passing over instead of under the tape. In this way the game continued until shortly before half-time, when the Crystal Palace forwards, conspicuous among whom were Armitage, Chenery, and Lloyd, made several well-executed rushes, but the backs of the Wanderers were fully equal to the attack, and the call of time arrived without the achievement of a goal by either side. Consequently ends were changed; but there was little alteration in the aspect of affairs, as despite the well-concerted play of the Palace forwards, they were unable to keep their adversaries away from the neighbourhood of their goal. Shortly before the end of the game C.W.Stephenson, after having just previously threatened the goal, absolutely succeeded in landing the ball between the Crystal Palace posts; but the umpires decided that the handling rule had been infringed, and the claim of the Wanderers was not admitted. After this the Wanderers worked with redoubled vigour, but their efforts were unsuccessful, and time was called at a quarter to five o'clock, leaving the match drawn, without any score to either club. With the exception of their backs, who were in irreproachable form throughout, the Wanderers showed their disinclination to help each other, that is the only weak point in their play, and this should certainly be remedied. The Crystal Palace forwards were one and all most energetic from first to last; but they hardly showed the pace of their opponents, and individually their play was much inferior.
Wanderers: C.W.Alcock, M.P.Betts, A.G.Bonsor, W.P.Crake, E.H.M.Elliott, T.C.Hooman, G.G.Kennedy, E.Lubbock, C.W.Stephenson, A.C.Thompson, and A.H.Thornton.
Crystal Palace Club: D.Allport (captain), A.J.Heath, P.G.Rouquette, A.Morten, C.C.Armitage, C.J.Chenery, F.Chappell, C.J.Ottaway, A.Lloyd, W.Bouch, and C.E.Smith.
Umpires: A.Stair (Upton Park) for the Wanderers, and T.Lloyd (Crystal Palace) for the Crystal Palace Club.
Field Saturday 27th January 1872
Match 10 Royal Engineers 3 Hampstead Heathens 0
On Saturday, 27th January 1872, the Hampstead Heathens - the title, I need scarcely say, is a reference to locality, and not to irreligion - journeyed down by the L.C.and D. to Chatham, where they got well beaten by by the Royal Engineers. It was one of the games of the third ties for the Association Challenge Cup, and the victory was gained by three goals, Lieut.Renny-Tailyour being, as usual, conspicuous for his fine play.
The Sportsman Saturday 3rd February 1872
THE ASSOCIATION CHALLENGE CUP
Royal Engineers 3 Hampstead Heathens 0
This match, one of the third ties for the above cup, took place at Chatham on Saturday last, 27th January 1872. The rsult was avictory for the Engineers by three goals to none, after a stiff fight. The Heathens at first only mustered nine men, but were reinforced midway through the game by the arrival of one of the two missing members. The ball had been long started before some spirited play by Lieuts. Rich and Renny-Tailyour took the ball into the front of the Heathens' goal, and after an exciting scrimmage it wa safely guided between the posts. The game throughout was contested with great spirit, but the numerical advantage of the Wanderers told heavily, and before time they had added two more goals to their score, thus winning by three goals to none. For Hampstead Barker and J.P.Tatham played up well, and for the Engineers Lieuts. Rich and Mitchell.
Royal Engineers: Capt. Marandin (captain), Lieuts. Ord, G.Barker, Mitchell, Rich, Cresswell, Renny-Tailyour, Carter, Cotter, and Goodwyn.
Hampstead Heathens: J.P.Tatham (captain), S.R.Tatham, A.Bird, C.B.Dimond, R.Barker, A.Erskine, H.Latham, H.P.Leach, G.P.Leach, and R.B.Mitchell.
Field Saturday 3rd February 1872
Match 11 Wanderers 0 Queen's Park, Glasgow 0'
'The Oval', Kennington, presented quite an animated appearance yesterday afternoon, Monday 4th March 1872, on the occasion of the above match. The lovely weather greatly conduced to the attendance. Play commenced at 3.35 p.m. The Wanderers won the toss, and chose the east side, near the Gas Works. After a 'kick off' the game was contested with great spirit throughout and time being called at 5.10, neither side having achieved a goal, it resulted in a draw. The fine dubbing play of C.W.Alcock and the Hon.T.Pelham for the Wanderers, and messrs Gardner, Ker, and Taylor for the Scots, secured much applause.
The following gentlemen represented the two teams:
Wanderers: C.W.Alcock, A.Thompson, A.Bonsor, R.Crawford, Hon.T.H.Pelham, R.Welch, H.Emanuel, H.Stewart, C.F.Wollaston, E.H.M.Elliott, W.Parry [Note. Actually William Parry CRAKE]
Queen's Park: Ker, R.Gardner, R.Edmiston, J.Hepburn, Leakie, J.Smith, R.Smith, J.Taylor, J.Walker, R.Wotherspoon, J.Weir.
Morning Post Tuesday 5th March 1872
Match 12 Royal Engineers 3 Crystal Palace 0
On Saturday afternoon, 9th March 1872, these teams met at the Oval to play off the last ties of the Association Cup. The Engineers had the best of it soon after commencing, and finally won the match by three goals to nothing. Play began soon after 3 o'clock, and the contest was pretty equal for some time, the territories of both being in turn invested; but this state of things did not exist for any great length of time, as the Crystal Palace team, who were clearly overweighted, soon began to show signs of weakness, and a short time only had elapsed when their goal was invested, and Lieut.Mitchell sent the ball under the line. Ends were reversed, and operations were repeatedly carried on in the quarters of the Palace, and their goal-keeper had a very narrow escape of being carried through, being severely mauled just in front of the goal-post. After this the ball was again set in motion, and in a very short time Renny-Tailyour brought it from the centre of the ground, and kicked a splendid goal. Once more the goal keepers changed ends, and again the Engineers carried the ball down the ground towards their opponents' line, where the battle was renewed with increased vigour. Very little time elapsed ere the goal keeper gain got mauled, and the post near where the melee took place swayed about in the most astonishing way, and it certainly looked as if the fragile erection would come to grief. The overthrow of the goal, however, was frustrated for a time, but, before the hour for discontinuing play , Renny-Tailyour was once more successful in reducing the Palace goal. Very little dribbling was displayed in this match, and those who took a most prominent part on the side of the Engineers were Rich, Mitchell, and Renny-Tailyour. For the Crystal Palace Chenery was perhaps the most prominent, but the greatest praise is due to A.Morten, the duties of a goalkeeper in this match being most onerous.
Sides:
Engineers: Capt.Merriman (captain, goalkeeper), Capt.Marindin (half-back), Lieut.Bogle, Lieuts Addison (half-back), Mitchell, Rich, Cresswell, Renny-Tailyour, Cotter, Goodwin (half-back), and Muirhead.
Crystal Palace: D.Allport (captain), W.M.Allport, C.C.Armitage, A.Bouch, W.Bouch, F.Chappell, C.J.Chenery, A.Lloyd, A.Morten (goalkeeper), P.G.Roquette, and T.F.Spreckley.
Bell's Life in London Saturday 16th March 1872
Match 13 Wanderers 1 Royal Engineers 0
THE ASSOCIATION CHALLENGE CUP
THE FINAL TIE
On Saturday, 16th March 1872, the last of the matches which have taken place in the competition for the possession of the Challenge Cup, presented by the committee of the Football Association, took place at Kennington Oval. The two clubs left in to contend for the honour of holding the trophy for the first year were the Wanderers and the Royal Engineers, and as rivals on this occasion were certainly the two most powerful organisations supporting Association Rules, the excitement, not only among the partisans of the respective sides, but among the lovers of football generally, was intense. It may here be as well to state that during earlier heats the Royal Engineers had defeated the Hitchin Club, the Hampstead Heathens, and the Crystal Palace, all without difficulty; while on the other hand the Wanderers had only defeated the Clapham Rovers by one goal, having drawn with Crystal Palace, and enjoyed a walk over in their tie with the Harrow Chequers. Mainly in consequence of their easy triumph over the Crystal Palace Club on the previous Saturday, the Engineers were great favourites with the public, and that the estimation in which they were held was not unjustifiable may be gathered from the fact that for a period of two years they had never been vanquished. Moreover, the clever and effective manner in which they have always played, and still play, together, tended to produce a belief that they would be able, by better organisation and concentration to defeat their opponents, despite the acknowledged superiority of the latter in point of individual excellence and skill. No pains, however, were spared by the Wanderers to collect their best representative eleven, and in this they succeeded admirably, as without doubt they mustered on this occasion the very best forces at their disposal, having both weight and speed forward, and certainly the two best backs in England to support the efforts of the ups. Within a few minutes of three o'clock the ball was set in motion by the Engineers, the assemblage of spectators being very fashionable, though the numbers were hardly so large as might have been expected, owing, possibly, in some measure to an advance in the price charged for admission. The captain of the wanderers won the toss, and thus at the outset his side gained not only the aid of the wind, but a considerable advantage in addition in having a very powerful sun at their backs. At once the Wanderers set to work with the greatest determination, and at the outset their play forward displayed more co-operation than is their custom, the backing-up being vastly superior to anything they have shown during the present season. By this means, and with the aid of faultless kicking on the part of their backs, they were able during the first quarter of an hour to besiege the Sappers closely, to the surprise of many of the spectators. Thus consistently they maintained the attack, till at length, after some judicious 'middling' by R.W.S.Vidal, the goal of the Engineers fell to a well-directed kick by A.H.Chequer (aka M.P.Betts). Ends were now changed, but any expectation of an alteration in the state of affairs were unfulfilled as without any diminuition of energy the Wanderers, although now faced by wind and sun, continued to besiege the lines of the Engineers without allowing any opportunities to the forwards of the latter side of effecting the rushes for which they are noted. Not long after the above goal the ball was again driven through the posts of the military goal by C.W.Alcock, but owing to a previous breach of the handling rule by another Wanderer, the claim was rightly disallowed. Still the game was maintained with the most remarkable animation on both sides, Renny-Tailyour, Mitchell, and Rich striving hard to pass the backs of the enemy. Once Muirhead, by an excellent run, did succeed in guiding the ball into the vicinity of the Wanderers' fortress, but A.C.Thompson interposed at the right moment, and the leather was safely removed. After this one or two chances were offered to the Wanderers, but none were realised, although more than one would doubtless have been successful but for the extremely efficient goal-keeping of Capt.Merriman. On one occasion a protracted bully raged on the very edge of the Engineers' lines, and once during its course the ball was absolutely driven against one of the posts; but here, too, the Wanderers failed to score. During the latter part of the game it was generally imagined that the Engineers would outstay their opponents, but until the finish the play continued as fast as ever, and soon after half-past four o'clock time was called, the Wanderers thus gaining the privilege of holding the cup for a year by one goal.
It was generally admitted that the play all round was superior to anything that has been seen at the Oval. The Wanderers unquestionably surprised the spectators by the effectiveness of their play collectively, and certainly they have never shown to such advantage as in this contest. The Engineers played hard and well throughout, but they were outmatched in this instance, as they only on two occasions endangered the enemy's goal. It was in some measure the superiority of the backs on the side of the Wanderers that tended to produce the defeat of the Sappers, as the certainty of kicking displayed by Lubbock and Thompson throughout enabled the forwards of the victors to attack without fear. In extenuation of the reverse suffered by the Engineers, it should be stated that one of their best players, Lieutenant Creswell, broke his collar bone about ten minutes after the start, and too much praise cannot be accorded to him for the pluck he showed in maintaining his post, although completely disabled and in severe pain, until the finish. Thus ended one of the most pleasant contests in which the Wanderers have ever been engaged, the posts of the umpires and referee being absolute sinecures. On behalf of the Wanderers, though all played up throughout in fine form, R.W.S.Vidal and T.C.Hooman attracted notice by their skilful dribbling.
The umpires were J.H.Gifford (Civil Service) for the Engineers, and J.Kirkpatrick (Civil Service) for the Wanderers.
A.Stair (Upton Park) acting as referee.
Sides:
Wanderers: C.W.Alcock, E.E.Bowen, A.G.Bonsor, A.H.Chequer (aka M.P.Betts), W.P.Crake, T.C.Hooman, E.Lubbock (back), A.C.Thompson (half-back), R.C.Welch (goal), R.W.S.Vidal, and C.H.Wollaston.
Royal Engineers: Capt.Marindin, Capt.Merriman, Addison, Mitchell, Creswell, Renny-Tailyour, Rich, Goodwyn, Muirhead, Cotter, and Bogle.
We understand that the cup will be presented to the victors at the annual dinner of the Wanderers Club to be held early next month.
The Sportsman Tuesday 19th March 1872