MIDDLESBROUGH FOOTBALL CLUB

PAGES FROM HISTORY

PRE-LEAGUE FOOTBALL - [ENTERED DIVISION 2 1899]

1889/90

November v Birmingham St. George.

November v Sunderland

February v Newcastle East End

March v Stockton (Long)

 

Athletic News.

Match Played 23 November 1889.

Middlesbrough v Birmingham St. George.

    We had a “big event” on at Middlesbrough on Saturday in the visit of Birmingham St. George’s, but it was generally expected to be a “runaway match” even by the most sanguine of the Town Club’s supporters, always excepting, of course, those ever faithful few who cling tenaciously to the victorious past and even murmur for present-day encouragement. However, the famous “Dragons,” though only playing ten men, registered four goals to the home team’s one. The Middlesbrough captain, having won the toss, placed his opponents facing a brilliant sun, and this fact was pretty soon felt, the home players doing most of the pressing, and Cronshaw, left wing outside, was exceedingly clever with the ball, having quite the measure of the opposing half-back, and their shots for goal were both frequent and good, keeping Hadley, the Brum goalkeeper, quite busy, but he was always there, and the first half closed  --Birmingham St. George’s, one goal; Middlesbrough, none. The second portion was all in favour of the visitors, although during a brief visit to the other end Copeland put one through from a splendid centre by Cronshaw. At times the home eleven played very lifelessly. In marked contrast to the “Dragons,” Walsh worked hard at full back for Middlesbrough, and the best man amongst the visitors was W.Shaw, whose rapid dribbling was much admired. There was only a moderate attendance, owing, I suppose, to the home eleven’s indifferent performances of late.

 

Athletic News

Match Played 2 November 1889

Sunderland v Middlesbrough

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    The chief, in fact the only Association football match of any moment in the district on Saturday, was that between Sunderland and Middlesbrough on the Newcastle road ground. There was some idea a week ago of bringing Third Lanark or Queens Park. Middlesbrough, however, were on the fixture card, and the committee honourably stood by their bargain. The encounters between these keen rivals were wont to draw crowds, and on Saturday, low as Middlesbrough now stands in the estimation of footballers, fully 6,000 spectators witnessed the game. An excursion from Middlesbrough was well patronised. It was as on two previous occasions, a windy day. With half a gale at their backs the visitors commenced well. In five minutes Taylor scored, but the cypher was destined never to be increased, although the ball was put through a second time, but the goal was disallowed on the plea of off-side. Sunderland then woke up, and Campbell, strolling to the front equalised. A quarter of an hour later the same player put on another goal, and at half-time the score stood, Sunderland, two goals, Middlesbrough, one.

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    The second half was truly a “massacre of the innocents.” Sunderland now had the advantage of the wind. Except at rare intervals, Middlesbrough never could break through. All the home players but Kirtley had crossed the centre line, and the war was waged constantly in Middlesbrough territory. Campbell soon placed a third goal to his individual credit. Then Spence and Stevenson scored in quick succession, Smith putting on two and Hannah one, and the ball rebounding from Walsh, a Middlesbrough back, brought the total up to nine goals to one in favour of Sunderland. The latter tried hard to reach a round number, but Walton, the Middlesbrough custodian, who played well, let no more past him. Still it was bad enough. Such a defeat proves that amateurs are no match for professionals, and sounds the death knell of the Middlesbrough team as at present constituted.

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    Sunderland were without Captain Auld, who has been ordered a little hard earned rest. Spence took his place. The new man, Scott, was tried on the outside left wing with Hannah, and at once, with a bound, established himself in popular favour. He had most of the corner kicks entrusted to him, and he invariably placed them with absolute accuracy in front of goal. The opinion was freely expressed that he is the best corner-kick ever seen on the Sunderland field. Middlesbrough, I ought to state, played the team which beat the “Fishermen,” except that Copeland was substituted for Simpson.

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Athletic News, 10 February 1890.

MIDDLESBROUGH v.  NEWCASTLE EAST END.

    A considerable amount of interest was centred in the meeting of Newcastle East End and Middlesbrough in their Northern League engagement at Middlesbrough, on Saturday, the first named, after a rather “streaky” career, having of late realised the high expectations early formed of them by their friends, by consistently keeping on the winning track, amongst other good clubs going under to them being Ironopolis, Middlesbrough’s rival townsmen, so recently as the week previous. Middlesbrough too, have been playing the same satisfying game up to their last engagement, and so a good match was anticipated and realised, for although Middlesbrough went off with a rush, and opened a perfect bombardment of the East End goal, Scott kept his charge intact, and the visitors steadied themselves, and a very even struggle was witnessed until the home club opened the record with the first goal. Shortly afterwards this was equalised by the Novocastrians and it was thus at half-time. On the resumption East End commenced the pressing and added No.2, the result of a pretty piece of work put in by their right wing, Collins and Thompson, who were very conspicuous throughout the game. The home right wing, Petrie and Finlayson, with the centre, Johnston, took premier honours for their side. Towards the close the Northern palpably tired, and the Middlesbrough eleven, perfectly at home on the sticky ground, notched five goals in rapid succession, to the utter bewilderment of their opponents, and so the end came. Game : Six goals to two, amid tremendous applause of an attendance of about 4,000.

 

    Tricky Mulvey at centre for the visitors quite kept up his reputation both by his play and by appearing on the field as the twelfth man for his side, and thus playing for a short time until the little dodge was discovered and the number reduced to eleven. Landles, right half back for the home club, distinguished himself repeatedly. He is one of the smallest half-backs in the country, but he certainly plays a clean, gentlemanly game, his playing into goal being very fine indeed.

FORWARD.

North Eastern Daily Gazette, 29 March 1890.

 

MIDDLESBROUGH v. STOCKTON.

[CLEVELAND CUP.--- FINAL.]

    The final tie in the ninth competition for the Cleveland Association’s handsome silver Challenge Cup was decided on the Linthorpe-road Ground, Middlesbrough, in the presence of fully 8,000 spectators. Great preparations had been made for the comfort of the spectators, and the Middlesbrough Club Committee are to be congratulated on the excellence of their arrangements. The trophy was first competed for in the season 1881-2, when the Middlesbrough and Redcar clubs were recognised as the crack elevens of the North. The final was fought out between these two clubs, and the representatives of the Cleveland capital secured the coveted trophy for the first time. For four seasons after that, the same two clubs always reached the final stage of the competition, but on each occasion victory rested with Middlesbrough, so that the latter held the proud title of

CHAMPIONS FOR FIVE SEASONS

in succession. In the season 1886-7 the champions decided not to enter the competition in order that some other club might have a chance of distinguishing themselves, and, strange to say, the two Darlington clubs worked their way into the final, Redcar going down previous to that stage being reached. The spirit of rivalry which existed between the clubs caused a record “gate” to be taken at Middlesbrough, where the match was played, and a grandly contested game resulted in a draw. On the match being replayed the struggle for supremacy resulted in another exciting contest being witnessed and in the end St. Augustine’s went down before their fellow townsmen, and

DARLINGTON SECURED THE TROPHY,

that being the first time that it had left Middlesbrough from its being first put up for competition. In the following season the Middlesbrough Club again entered the arena, and easily worked their way into the final, when they met Stockton, the game being played on the Middlesbrough ground. This was in the palmy days of amateurism, when town played against town without a thought of importing outside help into their ranks in order to secure premier honours, as is now the case. Stockton were just creeping into prominence, and even their most ardent supporters did not anticipate that they would beat the champions. The game was a good one, but the Middlesbrough lads were too quick on the ball for their opponents, and

AGAIN THE CUP CAME TO MIDDLESBROUGH.

Last season Middlesbrough came against their old opponents Redcar in the semi-final. The match was played at Middlesbrough on a very hard ground, with a strong wind blowing, and although Middlesbrough had much the best of the play Redcar scored a lucky point, and for the first time in their Cup career the seasiders defeated the champions. On the same day Stockton went down before St. Augustine’s at Darlington, and the Skernesiders had an easy task against Redcar in the final tie, which was played at Stockton. Thus

THE CUP WENT TO DARLINGTON A SECOND TIME.

This season the whole of the eight clubs, with two exceptions -- Marske and Port Clarence -- who had worked their way into the competition proper had gone in for professionals, the contest consequently being fought on an entirely different footing from what it had previously been. The interest and excitement in the competition, however, had not diminished in the least, but heightened. Middlesbrough had an easy task in the first round, Port Clarence going down before them to the extent of 7 goals to 1. Stockton also put on a score of 8 goals to 1 against Redcar, the latter club having fallen greatly in the football scale. In the semi-finals Middlesbrough defeated St. Augustine’s (the holders) rather unexpectedly by 1 goal to none, and Stockton defeated Darlington by 5 goals to 3. Owing to a protest being sustained against Welford, of Stockton, the latter match was replayed last Wednesday, and Stockton won again, the score being 1 goal to none. Stockton and Middlesbrough had met four times previous to to-day’s meeting this season, and

STOCKTON HAD PROVED MIDDLESBROUGH’S SUPERIORS

winning three out of the four games played. Early in the season Middlesbrough won by 5 goals to 1 at Stockton. Stockton won the next match at Middlesbrough by 4 goals to 0, and on playing a second time at Middlesbrough they just managed to win by 3 goals to 2. On Middlesbrough visiting Stockton a short time ago the fourth match ended in a win for Stockton by 4 goals to 0. It will be seen by these results that Stockton had in the four matches scored 12 goals to Middlesbrough’s 7. The greatest excitement was evinced over to-day’s encounter, the teams having been subjected to a strict course of training for the event, and the result was considered an open question,

TEAMS :

MIDDLESBROUGH

Goal :

W. Barbour.

Backs :

T. H. Wynn.  J. McManus

Half-backs :

Copeland.  Stevenson.  T. Bach.

Forwards :

Finlayson.     Petrie.     Johnston.     Wilson.     Dennis

---O---

Forwards :

Deakin.     McKay.     Strachan.     Allan.     Gray.

Half-backs :

J. Rothwell.  A. Hodgkiss  J. Baillie

Backs :

R. Chatt.  R. Shaw

Goal :

A. Brown

STOCKTON

Umpires: R. Huntingdon (Port Clarence) and Mr J. Bulman (Redcar). Referee: Mr Fox (Sheffield.).

Each side had a numerous following, the Stocktonians being especially cheered on entering the ground. Even the trees at each end of the ground were filled with spectators who got a free view of the game from excellent coigns of advantage.

THE GAME.

    The visitors won the toss, and Middlesbrough kicked off against the wind, which was fresh, and also in the face of the sun, which shone warm and undimmed by any cloud. The Stockton halves stopped, but Gray handling the ball gave a free kick to Middlesbrough. The visitors’ right, however, got possession from the kick, and ran the ball into the home ground, where the halves dispossessed them, and the ball was run down by the home left, aided by Johnston. After a brief scrimmage, however, the ball was kicked into bye. From the goal kick Middlesbrough again got possession, and another hot scrimmage ensued round the Stockton goal which was put an end to by a wild kick by Copeland, which sent the ball into bye.

THE VISITORS ATTACKED

and got the ball down well on the left, and some determined struggling took place in the left corner of the home ground. A clever kick by Bach took the ball away, but after a brief struggle in midfield the Stockton forwards got the upper hand again, and soon there was another

STRUGGLE ROUND THE HOME GOAL.

The ball was kicked to the other side of the ground, where

SHAW SHOT SPLENDIDLY,

but the ball just went behind. The Stocktonians again pressed, but a free kick for hands relieved, while another for a foul by McKay soon assisted the home team further. They were never allowed to become dangerous, however, and soon they were driven back again, the

VISITORS PLAYING WITH TREMENDOUS ENERGY.

    Time after time they looked like scoring, but each time the home defence just averted the danger, and the ball was kicked out, or was driven into bye. At length the home forwards broke through, and running smartly down on the left,

DENNIS MADE A LOW HARD SHOT,

which went behind the posts. From the goal kick Stockton took the ball down, but they were soon repelled, and the home team showing some very fine dash and determination, looked like having a chance, until Petrie fouled Chatt badly, and gave Stockton a free kick, which resulted in another transfer of the venue of play. However, the ball was only driven twice into bye. A third attack was made directly after, which ended in

MACKAY SHOOTING HIGH OVER THE GOAL.

    Still the home team was severely pressed, until Johnston cleverly took the ball way, and ran down all by himself in the centre. Being tackled by the backs, he passed to his right, and the ball being sharply centred

DENNIS SENT IN A BEAUTY,

which Chatt negotiated finely. The visitors then got the ball away, but some fine play by Johnston returned it. After a hot scrimmage the ball was worked back to midfield, but was again returned to the Stockton goalmouth, where

JOHNSTON SHOT INTO BYE.

    Still Middlesbrough attacked, but nothing came of it, and they were beaten again in the scrimmage, and the ball ran rapidly down to the home ground, where McKay got possession, and had a clear run, but was offside, and a free kick relieved. Middlesbrough then attacked again, but were soon repelled, McKay taking the ball down in fine style. Wynn dispossessed him, and then McKay gave the home team a free kick by tripping Wynn. The advantage availed the home team nothing, for the ball was in front of their goal again directly after. Still

THEY COULD NOT GET THE BALL BETWEEN THE STICKS,

and only two or three byes had resulted, when the home centre broke away again and passed to the left after some fine working down, and

DENNIS MADE ANOTHER SHOT,

which went behind. After some even play in the centre of the field, the game had to wait some minutes for Deakin, whose right leg was hurt; but he was soon able to play again. Wynn then repelled one attack by kicking out, but directly after the ball was in the home ground again, and was driven into bye. Mid-field play followed for a time until smart play by Gray again took the ball to the home end, where it went into bye again. The Middlesbrough men then broke away, and rushed down in a body, looking very dangerous until Chatt stopped them grandly. However, after a scrimmage

BACH SHOT A BEAUTY

which Brown footed out well. Johnstone who was close in, returned, but Rothwell kicked the ball out again. A free kick to Middlesbrough produced no tangible results, and then Stockton broke away. A free kick came to their aid, and Rothwell landed the ball in the goal mouth, and Barbour had to give a corner. Deakin took the kick, and centred beautifully, and from a scrimmage round the goal

THE BALL WAS SENT THROUGH,

but had previously been behind, and nothing was scored. Middlesbrough then got away, but were never allowed to become dangerous, and mid-field play again followed, until Deakin got away and shot. The ball struck the ground in front of the goal, and bounced over the cross-bar. Half-time was then whistled:--

Middlesbrough . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0

Stockton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .0

    On resuming after the cross over and after refreshments had been partaken of, the Stocktonians took a long kick, and Deakin looked dangerous, but Copeland brought him up in fine style, and sent the ball into midfield, but the sphere was at once returned, and Allan essayed to get in, but Bach repulsed his attack, and Wilson, obtaining possession, sprinted down. Chatt was on the alert, and, tackling, dispossessed Wilson, and returned well up. Stevenson returned and

JOHNSTON ESSAYED A HEADER,

but Shaw relieved by a huge punt. The leather was, however, kept in dangerous proximity to the Stockton goal, and from a pretty centre by Finlayson, Dennis headed in, and the shot was sent into bye from off one of the Stockton men.

MIDDLESBROUGH’S FIRST CORNER

availed them nothing. Dennis put the ball behind. Allan ran up , but McManus stopped his career, and again the home team assaulted strongly, the ball eventually being got away by Chatt conceding a second corner. The ball was splendidly centred, and

STEVENSON HEADED IN

but Brown fisted well out, and Wynn was called upon to defend which he did effectively, and then Copeland put in some smart tackling and kicking. Johnston passed to Petrie who shot in, and Shaw gave Middlesbrough their third corner, but nothing came of the advantage. Petrie next took a long shot, the ball going high over the cross-bar. Play ruled exciting and

FINLAYSON MISSED A CHANCE

by weakly screwing outside the post when well in instead of shooting strongly. Deakin and McKay broke away, but their attempt to get past Wynn was fruitless, and after a corner the Stockton citadel had a narrow escape from a scrimmage, Dennis followed with a fine overhead shot, which Brown caught and negotiated in good style. The Stocktonians were kept entirely on the defensive for some time, but at last their left wing again relieved the monotony, but notwithstanding that Wynn missed his kick McManus was at once on the ball, and the play again taken to the Stockton territory, where Finlayson centred, and Johnston missed a good opportunity of scoring.

ALLAN NEXT HAD A RUN,

and Bach missing in a charge he looked like getting well up but McManus passed to Wynn, who cleared well, and again were Middlesbrough attacking strongly, a fine shot by Finlayson being well fisted out by Brown.

Final result:--

     Middlesbrough . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

     Stockton. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0

 

 

 

North Eastern Daily Gazette, Saturday, April 26, 1890

 

FOOTBALL.

----------v----------

TO-DAY’S PLAY.

 

ASSOCIATION.

 

MIDDLESBROUGH v MIDDLESBROUGH IRONOPOLIS.

[CLEVELAND CHARITY CUP. -- FINAL.]

    Never in the history of the game of football in Middlesbrough has the interest been raised to such a high pitch as over the meeting of the rival Middlesbrough clubs, which took place on the Linthorpe-road Ground, Middlesbrough, today. The cause of the excitement is well known to everyone conversant with local football, but it will not be out of place to give

A SHORT HISTORY

of the facts leading up to to-day’s encounter. At the beginning of the present season many members of the town club grew dissatisfied with the class of football shown by the Middlesbrough club, and as they were unable to get the executive committee to improve play a public meeting was called, with the result that it was decided to start a professional club. That was in October, and, through the indefatigable endeavours of a few of the leading lights of the new concern, a good eleven was got together, and, the Paradise Field being secured, a start was soon effected. So soon as the executive of the old club saw that they were going to have a powerful combination to work against they decided to do what had previously been asked of them and refused, and what the president of the club, Mr O. H. Cochrane, had told the members at an extraordinary general meeting

WAS OUTSIDE THEIR POWER --

viz., to professionalise the club. The town club, once in the professional line, determined to bring as good talent as was obtainable, and in that they have been very successful, for the town club team at the present time embraces some very clever players. The Ironopolis Club has, owing to the late period at which they started, been obliged to play nearly all their matches at home, which to a great extent has been in their favour. They have

A HIGHLY CREDITABLE RECORD

for so young a club. Out of the 29 games played 16 have been won, 7 drawn, and 6 lost, the team having scored 75 goals, as compared with 43 goals scored by their opponents. They have met some of the best clubs in the country, and the only teams who could claim a victory over them have been Sheffield Wednesday, West Bromwich Albion, Warwick County, Bolton Wanderers, Newcastle East End, and Sunderland. The first five only won a goal ahead of Ironopolis, but the Wearside club defeated them at Sunderland in a very hollow fashion by 7 goals to love; but Ironopolis had their revenge on the clubs meeting at Middlesbrough. They have drawn with Gainsborough Trinity, Greenock Morton, Burslem Port Vale, Paisley Abercorn, Cambuslang, and Notts County; and have beaten such teams as Sunderland, Aston Villa, Lincoln City, Derby Junction, Derby St. Luke’s, Darlington, St. Augustine’s, Newcastle West End, and Stockton.

MIDDLESBROUGH’S RECORD

is not such a good one as that of their rivals, but it must be taken into consideration that they have, so to speak, been placed at a disadvantage in having to play about half of their matches away whereas Ironopolis have only experienced this sensation twice in their career. They have played 41 games, of which they have won 23, drawn 3, and lost 15, the team having scored 117 goals, as against 88 scored by their opponents. Singular to say, the old club’s heaviest defeat was, like their rivals, when pitted against Sunderland, the Wearsiders winning by no fewer than 9 goals to 1. On the return, at Middlesbrough’ the old club again went down before their crack opponents, the score on that occasion being 3 to none against Middlesbrough. They have been thrice defeated by Stockton, and returned the compliment twice. The club’s best performances during the season have been in defeating Grimsby 5-2, Mossend Swifts 5-1, Glasgow Thistle 4-3, Edinburgh University 8-0, Sheffield United 6-4, Rotherham Swifts 7-2, Burton Swifts 4-1, Newcastle East End 6-2, and Newcastle West End 2-1. Next to the Sunderland disaster, the team’s defeat at Darlington by the town club by 7 to none was the most severe. Burnley, Blackburn Rovers, and the Corinthians have all been successful in defeating the town club, whose most conspicuous work against local clubs during the season has been in the Cleveland Challenge Cup competition when they defeated St. Augustine’s and Stockton, after the first named had twice beaten them, and after the last named had carried off victory on three occasions. Several attempts have been made previous to to-day to get the two Middlesbrough clubs to

BATTLE FOR SUPREMACY,

but all failed. Owing to Stockton and St. Augustine’s declining to take part in the annual charity competition, the cup looked a certainty for one of the Middlesbrough clubs, and this assumption has proved correct, for Middlesbrough easily disposed of Port Clarence, and the same may be said of South Bank, who went down before Ironopolis. The Ironopolis Committee have been somewhat sore about having to play the final on the old club’s ground, but on its being pointed out to them that that had always been the recognised ground for playing the deciding game they very properly waived their objection. Last year Stockton won the Cup, defeating South Bank after two drawn games, and after the Bankers had beaten Middlesbrough by the narrow margin of 1 goal at Stockton. Previous to that

MIDDLESBROUGH WON THE TROPHY THRICE

in successive seasons.

 

    There was one of the largest gates ever seen on the ground, fully 10,000 being present, and the trees being as full as rookeries. Wynn won the toss, and Washers kicked off against a brisk breeze, the home team having the sun in their faces. Stevenson at once stopped the Washer forwards, and the Middlesbrough men invaded the visitor’s half. Elliott sent the ball back, and the ‘Nops’ right took the ball down to the home end, where McManus stopped it, and the ball was sent out. Bach got the leather away finely after some scrimmaging, and a hot struggle took place in midfield. There the visitors gave hands, and Wynn landed the free kick in goal. Here hands was again given, but on the scrimmage the Middlesbrough men gave hands, and the pressure was relieved. Stevenson stopped a break away by the ‘Nops, but Cronshaw and McGregor got it away again, and Barbour had

SOME DIFFICULTY IN SAVING

a long shot by Hopewell. Cronshaw got the ball again, but in trying to centre, he shot into bye. Play ruled hot round the home goal, and was at length taken away on the right, but Anderson stopped the ball. It was taken into the Middlesbrough ground on the other side, but Johnston got it away finely, and took it down the ground. Passing to the right the ball went into bye, and from the goal-kick was soon drived into bye.

MIDDLESBROUGH STILL ATTACKED,

and the fight raged furiously round the Washers’ goal. The backs kept the home forwards at bay for a long time, and intense excitement prevailed. At length Petrie sent in a beauty, which narrowly missed scoring. They kept up the attack for a time , and then

THE ‘NOPS BROKE AWAY

and rushing down in a body, McGregor sent in a shot which Barbour fisted out. Again the venue of play was quickly shifted to the ‘Nops’ end, and as quickly returned, and

SEYMOUR SHOT WELL,

but Barbour again rejected. Play now ruled for a time in the home half, but the goal was not menaced, and Petrie got the ball away splendidly, but the ‘Opolists halves were all there , and the fight held in mid-field for a time. Cronshaw broke away again, and centring well

MCREDDIE SHOT,

but just missed the goal. The home men got the ball away, but could not get near the ‘Opolists goal, and after a sharp tussle the Washers got away again; and Wynn had to concede the first corner. Cronshaw centred well, but McGregor headed into bye. Seymour soon got possession again and made a pretty centre right in goal. Barbour being knocked off his legs the goal was in great danger; but the chance was missed, the ball going into bye. The Middlesbrough men then broke away, and Bach returning the ball every time the forwards lost it, it was dropped in front of the visitors’ goal, from where it was sent into bye.

ANDERSON CLEARED

very cleverly, and the ‘Nops right took the ball up, but could not get past the home backs. At this stage

DENNIS WAS HURT

and had to leave the ground. Nevertheless, the ten men held their own well, and for a time kept the game in the Washers half, Bach at one time running the ball up quite alone, and being unsupported, could only put out. The play continued undecisive, each end being visited in turn, and the men on either side showing more energy than science.

DICKSON HAD ONE GOOD CHANCE

owing to a mistake by Walsh who was not kicking well, but the shot went wide. Again the visitors’ forwards attacked, and Barbour, mulling a low shot, was charged almost before he could clear. However the ball was got away, and Finlayson, taking it smartly down, compelled Elliot to give a corner. He centred well, but the Nops got the ball away, and then half-time was whistled with the score ;--

 Middlesbrough . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  0

 Ironopolis  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0

    In the second half the Washers had the advantage of the wind, and Chalmers having only handled once, they became warmer favourites. Dennis here reappeared with a bandage on his leg, and was warmly cheered. Middlesbrough first attacked, and Hopewell kicked out. The ball was then sent into bye, but shortly after McGregor handled, and gave a free kick, which

LANDED THE BALL IN THE ‘NOPS GOAL.

The goal was bombarded sharply, but Chalmers and the backs managed to save, after a great struggle, and the ball was got away, and now visited each end in quick succession. Wynn handled in saving an attack, and gave a free kick in a dangerous position. Barbour had to save from several shots, but the ball was got away, and again travelled up and down the ground rapidly and impartially.

MCGREGOR HAD A CHANCE,

but shot wildly wide of the goal. The ball was then taken to the other end, and Finlayson shot a daisy trimmer.

 

 

South Durham and Cleveland Mercury, 17 May 1890.

T H E   C H A R I T Y   C U P   F I N A L.

VICTORY OF IRONOPOLIS.

    The struggle for supremacy between the two Middlesbrough clubs was renewed on Wednesday night on the Ironopolis field, before about 6,000 spectators. It will be remembered that the two clubs met for the first time on the Middlesbrough ground a little over a fortnight ago, in the final tie of the Cleveland Charity Cup competition, when the game ended in a draw, neither side having scored. The replayed tie was fixed for last night, and the match was watched with intense excitement, each side having a considerable number of ardent supporters round the ropes. Stainthorpe was custodian for Ironopolis, Chalmers, who officiated between the sticks for them in the drawn game, having been declared ineligible. Ironopolis won the toss and played the first half with both wind and sun in their favour. After a throw-in on the right Cronshaw and his colleagues worked the ball up the wing and crossed to McReddie, who failed, the ball going behind. The ‘Nops continued to have the best of matters, and after Cronshaw had centred splendidly McGregor scored amid tremendous cheering. Ironopolis still pressed, and Hopewell sent in a close shot, the ball being subsequently put behind. Middlesbrough had then a look in, and Stevenson had hard lines with a pretty shot. Then the ‘Opolists returned to the attack, and McGregor missed a grand chance, play being very fast thereafter. Bach conceded a corner, which Dennis cleared cleverly. Hands then fell to Middlesbrough, but the advantage proved of little effect, for the Nops continued in possession till a similar concession being made Stainthorpe’s goal was in imminent danger . Seymour cleared after a hot scrimmage, and though hands again fell to the old club, Dickson finally removed all danger. Several byes now fell to the Nops., and the Middlesbrough backs had a hard time of it. Relieving at length, Stainthorpe’s goal was attacked, when a corner was conceded, but the ball was put behind, and matters were quickly reversed. After some close shots had been sent in by Cronshaw, the latter put the ball between the posts, but was given off-side, and the point was not allowed. Following play was in favour of the washers, who were awarded a free kick in goal for a foul by McManus, but failed to improve the advantage. Johnstone then got away, and a corner was conceded but Hopewell cleared, and then Lendess had to head out a capital shot by Matthews. No further score was made up to half-time, though the Ironops. Had all the best of the play, the score being:-- Ironopolis, 1 : Middlesbrough, 0.

    The old club were the first to look dangerous after restarting, and Anderson had to clear a grand shot by Lendess. Wilson sent high over the cross bar, but, despite the goal kick, Middlesbrough still pressed, and Bach put behind. Then McReddie, after a pretty run, put the globe into Barbour’s hands, but it was got away, and matters being quickly reversed, Dennis missed a good chance. Johnstone fouled Elliott, and the free kick put the ‘Nops in occupation, Barbour again having to handle. More exciting play was witnessed in Barbour’s goal, where hands off Dickson relieved the pressure. Both goals were then assailed in turn, McGregor sent in a magnificent high shot from just inside the centre line which scored amid great enthusiasm. Middlesbrough then attacked hotly, Stainthorpe saving a high shot in fine style, and time was called with the score--

 IRONOPOLIS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 goals

 MIDDLESBROUGH . . . . . . . . . None.