Game of the Day

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WANDERERS v HAMPSTEAD HEATHENS
On Saturday afternoon, 18th February 1871, these celebrated teams decided their match at the Surrey County Cricket Ground, Kennington Oval, and after a good contest the Wanderers were credited with the victory. The leather was kicked off about twenty minutes to three, and was soon brought down to the quarters of the Heathens, when a goal was quickly taken by the Hon.T.Pelham. Both goals were alternately threatened, and one of Alcock's kicks nearly got a goal, but the ball unfortunately struck one of the side posts; in his second attempt he was more successful, and by a splendid kick drove the ball under the lines.
The Heathens played extremely well, but were over-matched; for them, however, S.R.Tatham, F.Barker, R.B.Mitchell, and H.Luke were conspicuous by their capital play; whilst C.W.Alcock and Q.Hogg, as backs, and the Hon.T.Pelham and Kinnaird were very energetic on behalf of the Wanderers.
The sides were:
Wanderers: A.J.Baker (captain), C.W.Alcock, M.P.Betts, A.J.Bonsor, W.P.Crake, F.A.Currie, Q.Hogg, T.C.Hooman, Hon.T.Pelham, and W.Wallace.
Hampstead Heathens: J.P.Tatham (captain), S.R.Tatham, H.K.Evans, C.B.Dimond, F.Barker, G.Leach, R.B.Mitchell, W.Pilchford, J.Crawley-Boevey, F.Lyall, and H.Luke.
Morning Advertiser Monday 20th February 1871

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WEST KENT v WANDERERS
The Middlesex County Ground at Islington was on Saturday last, 20th February 1869, the scene of an exciting contest between the West Kent and Wanderers Clubs, both of whom, however, mustered one short. Until just before the close of play neither side obtained any advantage, but then a fine run-down by Baker, who was well supported by Dunn, terminated in a goal being scored by the Wanderers, with whom the victory thus rested.
The following are the names of the players on either side:
Wanderers: C.W.Tebbut (captain), J.M.Yates, W.J.Dixon, J.H.Giffard, G.G.Kennedy, R.Vidal, E.Bowen, A.Baker, R.Dunn, and J.F.Inglis.
West Kent: E.Lubbock (captain), E.Norman, A.Kinnaird, F.Weller, A.C.Wathen, F.W.Saunders, C.Farmer, E.C.Goodheart, F.Hammond, and J.Beattie.
Sporting Life Wednesday 24th February 1869

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WANDERERS v WESTMINSTER SCHOOL
On Wednesday afternoon, 21st February 1872, these teams met on the School Ground, Vincent Square, Westminster, to play their return match, and the result was, as on the first occasion, a victory for the Wanderers, who this time won by three goals to none. The Wanderers gained the toss, and with the advantage of wind, hostilities commenced at 3.30. For some time nothing of any moment occurred, but it was evident that the School were over-weighted, notwithstanding they kept their opponents at a respectful distance until 4 o'clock, when after sundry shots at the School goal by several of the Wanderers the goal keeper was unable to resist the attacks, and the ball was without much trouble sent under their line. Immediately after changing ends the leather was carried down to the School goal, and Murphy had scarcely become installed ere in a general melee in their lines, it was sent between the posts, off one of which it glanced, by Pelham, who was mainly instrumental in bringing it down the ground. From this time the Wanderers had the best of the battle, and after another goal had been obtained, this time by Bonsor, 'time' was called. Sides:
Wanderers: C.W.Alcock, L.P.Beaufort, A.G.Bonsor, C.J.Chenery, R.E.W.Crawford, A.Morten (goal), Hon.T.H.Pelham, C.W.Stephenson (back), C.W.Thompson, R.C.Welch, and F.H.Wilson (backs), and C.F.Wollaston.
Westminster School: R.W.S.Vidal (captain), W.E.Rawson (half-back), H.D.S.Vidal (back), H.G.Jackson, R.Murphy (goal keeper), H.Rogers, J.Oldham, J.Bruce, J.T.Reece, J.Harvey, and L.Bailey.
Bell's Life in London Saturday 24th February 1872

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HARROW SCHOOL v WANDERERS
This match, the second which has taken place this season between these old opponents, was played at Harrow on Saturday 22nd February 1868, and terminated in favour of the Harrovians by four goals to one. The Wanderers, who seem this year to have been completely deserted by the fickle goddess Fortune, lost the toss, which proved a serious disadvantage, by compelling them to play in the face of a very high wind. At 2.30 the ball was kicked off, and a few minutes play found the boys already in possession of a score, as a general run-up, followed by a kick into the centre, proved successful in securing the fall of the Wanderers' goal, which was accredited to the School captain, C.W.Walker. This success was, however, short lived as a splendid kick by J.T.Goldney soon afterwards caused the School goal to surrender, and this placed the two parties in a state of equality. From this point all luck forsook the Wanderers, who, in spite of their strenuous efforts, could not succeed in achieving any further score, while the boys were singularly favoured in finding all their attempts crowned by success. A second goal was placed to the School score by R.Ord, after a good run down, the Wanderers' goal-keeper arriving just in time to catch the ball between the posts. The Rovers, working against the wind, now played up most pluckily, and for a length of time kept the boys well at bay, till E.Giles got a catch, in front of the posts, from which he scored the third goal for Harrow. The game was continued until 3.45, shortly before which hour, S.W.Gore landed the fourth and last goal for the School, who thus secured the honours of victory by three goals.
The Wanderers appeared abroad on the Harrow ground, which was in a heavy and more sloppy condition than we have witnessed it for some time. For the Wanderers, F.P.Barlow, J.T.Goldney, E.E.Bowen, and J.A.Cruikshank were most energetic; for the School, C.W.Walker, R.Watney, R.Ord, and Lord Kilmarnock showed the best form. The players were as follows:
Wanderers: C.W.Alcock, F.P.Barlow, E.E.Bowen, W.Rivett-Carnac, J.A.Cruikshank, R.D.Elphinstone, E.Fairfield, A.K.Finlay, J.T.Goldney, W.O.Hewlett, and J.Parsons (emergency).
Harrow School: C.W.Walker (captain), S.W.Gore, J.B.Broadmead, A.W.Welch, R.Ord, J.Watney, W.H.Rodwell, G.Law, A.Tabor (E.Crake), E.Giles, and Lord Kilmarnock.
The Sportsman Thursday 27th February 1868

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WANDERERS v WESTMINSTER SCHOOL
The return match between these clubs was played at Vincent Square on Wednesday last, 23rd February 1870, when the boys succeeded in retrieving the defeat suffered on the occasion of the previous contest. Play commenced shortly before a quarter-past three o'clock, the choice of goals falling to the Wanderers, who derived therefrom no inconsiderable advantage in point of wind. For a quarter of an hour the Wanderers appeared to have a trifle the best of the game, the superior weight of the visitors at first overpowering their less powerful adversaries. After this time, however, the Westminsters working together in better style than they have shown for some time past, held a slight advantage, and after several well-directed attempts, an exceedingly brilliant run and clever final kick, by R.S.Vidal, produced the downfall of the Wanderers' goal. After the change of ends the Wanderers struggled hard to recover their loss, but only little success attended their efforts, the School, by dint of good backing up and forward play, keeping the ball chiefly in that portion of the ground occupied by their opponents. Before the conclusion of the game several rather easy chances fell to the Westminsters, but nothing further crowned their exertions, and in the absence of any definite result to the Wanderers, the victory rested with the School by one goal. The School Eleven exhibited a marked improvement on the form they have displayed of late, and their backing up was especially worthy of praise. E.G.Smith, and the two new members of the team (Busk and Solly), rendering themselves conspicuous in this department of the game. R.S.Vidal, as usual, was remarkable for his good play; and Stephenson and Curteis were both effective backs. We may here state that we were in error last week in representing R.S.Vidal as the captain of the eleven, H.G.Rawson having succeeded H.G.Barron in the captaincy. The Wanderers hardly played up to their true form, although some allowance may be made for their defeat from the difficulty experienced in turning owing to the slippery state of the ground.
Wanderers: C.W.Alcock, C.F.Reid, F.A.Currie, Lord E.Fitzmaurice, A.Baker, E.Freeth, J.Kirkpatrick, E.Fairfield, T.Hammond, and W.J.Dixon. A.Nash was absent.
Westminster School: H.G.Rawson (captain), R.S.Vidal, H.Wade, C.W.Stephenson, H.E.Rawson, E.G.Sharpe, R.M.Curteis, F.J.Whitmore, Busk, Solly, and another.
Field Saturday 26th February 1870

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WANDERERS v ROYAL ENGINEERS
The above-named clubs met on the Outer Lines at Chatham on the 25th February 1868 to play their return match, which resulted in favour of the Royal Engineers by their obtaining two goals to none, after a very exciting and closely-contested game, which lasted for an hour and a half. The Wanderers numbered only eight men, their side being considerably weakened by the absence of those celebrated rovers, A.Baker, C.W.Alcock, and E.W.Wilde, who did not put in an appearance at the appointed hour to complete their playing team. Lieutenants Brown and Hewson, R.E., having been summoned to the assistance of the rovers, at 345 p.m. the ball was dispatched from the foot of their able captain, J.M.Yates. The ground was in splendid order, and, owing to the mildness of the weather, a large and fashionable concourse of spectators assembled to witness the game. After ten minutes' play, the Wanderers' goal fell to a kick by Major Harrison, R.E., after a good 'run-down' by Lieutenants Pottinger and Barlow. At this early period of the game, the R.E.'s lost the valuable services of Lieutenant Morris, R.E., who was placed hors de combat with a sprained ankle. On the change of goals, the rovers went to work in a truly energetic style, giving the R.E.'s plenty to do to prevent the ball being driven down towards their goal, which was once placed in serious jeopardy through the excellent forward play of Messrs Emanuel, Dixon, and Tayloe. The R.E.'s in their turn, however, made three or four successive desperate rushes on their opponents' goal, but their efforts were as often frustrated by the capital back play and goal-keeping of Messrs Tebbut and Yates. For an hour the game was kept up by both teams with increasing vigour and great spirit; although the Engineers, after their gallant rushes, appeared fairly 'pumped out' for a while, but, on being 'called on' by their captain, they soon pulled themselves together, and, after a well-placed and determined 'run up' by Lieutenants Pulford, Merriman, and Johnstone, terminating in a terrific scrimmage in front of the rovers' goal, the ball was propelled between their posts by the toe of the last-named officer. J.M.Yates now came to the front and showed some brilliant dribbling play, once carrying the ball right through his opponents, and landing it within a yard of the military goal. Both sides appeared glad to hear the call of time, and agreed that the match was the hardest-fought contest in which they had played this season.
Appended is a list of players:
Wanderers: J.M.Yates (captain), C.M.Tebbut, J.E.Tayloe, J.Fanshawe, W.Duthie, P.V.Turner, W.J.Dixon, H.Emanuel; Lieutenants Brown and Hewson, R.E.'s (emergencies).
Royal Engineers: Lieut.Pottinger (captain), Major Harrison, Lieutenants Barlow, Broadbent, Campbell, Fanshawe, Johnstone, Merriman, Morris (retired), Pulford, and Purcell.
The Sportsman Saturday 29th February 1868

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WANDERERS v FOREST CLUB
This return match was played at the Oval on Saturday 26th February 1870, and proved a ludicrously hollow affair, the Wanderers obtaining seven goals in the course of an hour, without the appearance of a score on the part of their opponents. The Wanderers secured the aid of a slight breeze by the choice of positions, and at once drove the ball up to the Foresters' lines, whence it was rarely extricated for any length of time during the course of the match. Any details with regard to the progress of the game would be superfluous, as the Foresters showed a painful lack of concentration and organisation, while the Wanderers, who were by no means efficiently represented, played, both individually and collectively, in better style than we expected from the composition of their team. C.W.Alcock opened the account of the Wanderers by two well got goals, while A.Baker was credited with the last three for the same side; F.A.Currie and J.Kirkpatrick securing the second and third, each of the two latter forming the result of good play. For the Wanderers, A.Baker was untiring throughout, and F.A.Currie showed some of the best dribbling form seen during the match. Of the Foresters, H.C.Masterman and R.Peake were perhaps the most worthy of praise, and H.Fowler at times was noticeable for activity in following up.
We may add that the new rule of the association, which proclaims the entire abolition of handling, was used on this occasion, and worked more easily than at first anticipated.
Wanderers: C.W.Alcock, A.Baker, J.Kirkpatrick, F.A.Currie, W.A.B.Hamilton, T.C.Hooman, T.Hammond, J.P.Nichols, H.Noyes, and W.Wallace.
Forest Club: H.Fowler (captain), R.Peake, H.C.Masterman, T.Spreckley, L.Phillips, C.W.Gordon, R.Piper, G.C.Gordon, and H.C.Houndle.
Field Saturday 5th March 1870

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FOREST CLUB v NO NAMES
The return match between the Forest and N.N. clubs was played on Saturday last, [27th February 1864] at Kilburn, but notwithstanding the great exertions made by both clubs, no goal was scored.
No Names: A.Pember (captain), A.Baker, H.Baker, F.Phillips, D.Piggott, G.Lawson, A.Renshaw, F.Morton, F.Mitchell, A.de Pathonier, and A.Daly.
Forest: A.W.Mackenzie (captain), J.F.Alcock, C.W.Alcock, Edmunds, Pardoe, Absolom, Morley, Jackson, Head, A.Tebbut, and C.Tebbut.
Field Saturday 5th March 1864

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WANDERERS v WESTMINSTER SCHOOL
Vincent Square, 28th February 1866.
On Wednesday, Feb 28, the Wanderers played their return match against Westminster School. With their usual luck, the Rovers lost the toss, and had to face one of those adverse winds against which they have lately so often had to contend. Shortly after the commencement of the game a base was obtained for Westminster by H.Dupre, which gave the wind to the Wanderers, for whom a base was obtained by C.W.Alcock. After this no other base obtained by either side, and in spite of the numerous attempts the Wanderers made to add another to their list of victories, the wind proved too much for them, and the game ended in a draw. For Westminster, H.Dupre and F.Lucas played well; for Wanderers, H.G.Phipps and J.A.Boyson.
Wanderers: C.W.Alcock, J.A.Boyson, E.W.Burnett, Y.A.Cruikshank, R.D.Elphinstone, J.Lucas, H.G.Phipps, C.F.Reid, C.M.Tebbut, A.Thompson, W.Randolph.
Westminster: F.Lucas, E.C.Bovill, G.F.Circuitt, S.H.West, C.Griffith, H.R.Dupre, G.W.Chapman, A.Lee, F.Pownall, W.J.Dixon, F.Miller.
Bell's Life in London Saturday 10th March 1866

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WANDERERS v CHARTERHOUSE SCHOOL
The Wanderers provided rather a weak team to play Charterhouse the return match on Wednesday afternoon, 1st March 1871, on the Under Green, and the game remained drawn, a couple of goals being achieved by both sides. The Carthusians won the toss, and the ball was kicked off at 3 o'clock by the captain of the School, J.F.Inglis, from the lower end of the ground. The Wanderers, who had the advantage of weight, soon drove the boys into the precincts of their own territory, and after a quarter of an hour's energetic play, a goal resulted in favour of the Wanderers from the toe of Stephens, who had been assisted by Cotton. Owing to an alleged informality the goal was disputed, and the objection was allowed. In a very short time, however, a goal was really accomplished by the Hon.T.Pelham, and on changing ends the School shortly managed to get on even terms with their opponents. Ends were once more reversed, but nothing worthy of notice occurred for some little time, when Alcock, after a short run, scored a second goal for the Wanderers. The latter then held a decided advantage until within 10 minutes of the call of time, when a well-directed run was effected by the combined efforts of the Carthusians, the ball eventually being sent flying between their adversaries' posts, though a similar protest was made against the legality of the score by the visitors as on the first occasion, it was ultimately waived, however, and the game was continued for the few minutes that remained without any further advantage to either side. Inglis, Brown, Gandell, Drew, and Gordon were particularly industrious on the side of Charterhouse, and Cotton, Stephens, Field, and Pelham did a greater share of the work on behalf of the visitors. Sides:
Wanderers: C.W.Alcock, D.Allport, C.F.Reid, H.P.Stephens, E.Field, Hon.T.Pelham, C.J.Chenery, W.P.Crake, R.B.Cotton, J.H.Morgan, and a substitute.
Charterhouse School: J.F.Inglis (captain), G.C.Carter, E.F.Brown, T.P.Gandell, C.G.Inglis, W.Dorling, C.G.Paget, E.P.Parry, W.Drew, L.Gordon, and A.R.H.Saunders.
Bell's Life in London Saturday 4th March 1871