1883/84
Weekly Exchange,
Match played 3 November 1883
MIDDLESBROUGH v. TYNE
The first encounter during the present season between the above clubs took place
on Saturday last on the ground of the latter at Burdon-terrace, Newcastle, when,
after a first class game, the visitors were declared the winners by five goals to
three. Tyne won the toss, and elected to play down-hill, with the sun at their backs,
thereby placing the visitors at a great disadvantage, but, nevertheless, the Middlesbrough
men soon worked the ball to the mouth of the home team goal, only to be as quickly
transferred to the other goal, when after a little manoeuvring it was placed between
the visitors’ sticks by Ainslie. After the kick-off, Ainsley quickly added another
one for his side; then it became the visitors’ turn, the ball being put through by
Pickstock. The Tyne, not to be denied, placed another goal to their credit from the
foot of Philipson. Half-time was soon afterwards called. The Middlesbrough team now
put in all they knew to avert defeat, and were successful during this half of the
game in scoring four times - twice from the foot of Borrie, once from Ransford, and
once again from Pickstock. The game was really one of the best ever played by the
Tyneteam against the little Middlesbrough team, and as regards the play throughout,
one team seemed to run the other a very good race for supremacy, but the home team
were decidedly weak in front of the goal. Thompson, for the Middlesbrough team, played
a grand game, whilst Borrie, Wynn, and Dawkins also figured conspicuously. The Tyne
were best represented by Samborne, Pattinson, Ainslie, and the brothers Messent.
Middlesbrough team - Goal J.Dawkins; backs J.Bosher and T.H.Wynn; half-backs, R.L.Peel,
J.Simpson, and B.F.McNellis; forwards, A.Pringle, W.Pickstock (captain), A,Borrie,
W.Ransford, and J.Thompson; umpire F.Hardisty; referee, G.Hall.
Weekly Exchange,
Match played 10 November 1883
F O O T B A L L
-------------------
MIDDLESBRO’ v. STAVELEY (DERBYSHIRE)
ENGLISH CHALLENGE CUP TIE.
The weather on Saturday was fair, but not altogether favourable for the game
of football, inasmuch as there was a bitterly cold wind blowing with force from the
north-west, while the sun shone very brightly in the faces of the players who had
to play to the goal at the far end of the field. Notwithstanding the cold, there
were about 800 spectators present to witness the above match, including several ladies.
The Middlesbrough captain was fortunate in winning the toss, and, of course, elected
to play with the wind and sun at the backs of his team. The was not long after it
was started in being in the vicinity of the Derbyshire goal-line, and the home players
gained a corner-kick, the game being eventually won by the visitors by five goals
to one. Teams :-- Middlesbrough -- Goal J. Dawkins; half-backs, J. Bosher and T.H.
Wynn; backs, R.L. Peel, B.F. McNellis, and W. Coates; forwards, left-wing W. Pick
stock (capt.) and A. Pringle; centre, A. Borrie; right-wing, J. Thompson and J. Ewbank;
umpire, J. Hardisty; referee, J.F. Williams of the Loftus Football Club. Staveley
-- Goal, A. Kay; half-backs, S. Hay, J. Rice, and J. Widdowson; backs, D.James and
H. Peel; forwards, left wing, C. Muther and W.N. Crook; centre F.Hay; right wing,
J. Potter and F. Godfrey.
Weekly Exchange,
Match played 15 December 1883.
SHEFFIELD CHALLENGE CUP. - SECOND TIE
MIDDLESBROUGH v. THURLSTONE.
On Saturday last, these Association clubs met to decide their tie in the above
competition at Thurlstone. The weather was of the most wretched description, raining
all the time, and blowing a hurricane from the north-east. The visitors’ captain
won the toss, and elected to play against the wind during the first three-quarters
of an hour. Middlesbro’ commenced with ten men, Mr T.Dales not arriving until ten
minutes after the game commenced. The Thurlstone centre (G. Marsh) kicked off, and
the ball soon travelled into the mouth of their goal, where it was well returned
by the home goal-keeper (J.Wood), who throughout the game played splendidly. The
visitors, however, could not gain a point until about half an hour had passed, when
Ewbank dribbled the ball on the right wing and centred it to Dales, who grandly headed
it between the posts. On resumption of play, it was quickly at the home goal, and
from a free kick taken by Ewbank, who crossed the ball nicely to Borrie, and he had
no difficulty in scoring the second point for Middlesbrough. After the kick-off the
home team had a little the best of the play, and soon credited themselves with two
goals, kicked by Wadsworth and Cartwright respectively, making the game even amidst
the plaudits of the spectators, who were few in number. The visitors soon, however,
gained the third goal from the foot of Dales, and this brought about half-time. Borrie
started the ball for Middlesbrough, and with the wind in their favour, pressed the
home team the remainder of the game, but was only able to score another goal from
the foot of Thompson. The home team seeing they were getting considerably the worst
of it, stopped play ten minutes before time, which was a great relief to both sides.
The visitors played well together, and this really won them the match, as the slippery
nature of the ball rendered the kicking inaccurate. Teams:- Thurlstone - Goal, J.Wood;
backs, J.Buckley and J.Marshall; half-backs, R.Jones, E.Ulyett, and J. Roebuck; forwards,
E.Roebuck, J.Hampshire, G.Marsh, W.Wadsworth, and J.Cartwright. Mr J.W.Windle, umpire.
Middlesbrough - Goal J.Dorkins, backs, J.Bosher and W.Ransford; half-backs, B.F.McNellis,
O.H.Cochrane, R.L.Peel; forwards W.Pick stock (captain), T.Dales, A.Borrie, J.Ewbank,
and J.Thompson. Umpire, Mr F.Hardisty; referee, Mr John Wilkinson.
Weekly Exchange,
Match played 23 February 1884
SHEFFIELD CHALLENGE CUP.
MIDDLESBRO’ v. LOCKWOOD BROS.
This match, which was the semi-of the Sheffield Challenge Cup, took place on
the Bramwell-lane Ground, Sheffield, on Saturday last, during a downpour of rain,
and resulted in a very hard-fought struggle, victory finally ending in favour of
the home team by three goals to two, after playing an extra half-hour. Dawkins was
in rare form, and was ably supported by Cochrane, Peel, Pickstock, and Dales; while,
for the Lockwood team, West, Housley, McLauchlin, Housley, Sellars, and Newbould
were most prominent. The Middlesbrough team was :- Goal, J.Dawkins; backs, R.L.Peel
and W. Ransford; half-backs, B.F.McNellis, A.R.Pringle, and O.H.Cochrane; forwards,
J.Thompson, A.Borrie, W.Pickstock (capt.), J.Ewbank, and T.Dales. Referee, Mr J.C.Clegg.
Weekly Exchange,
Match played 5 April 1884
FOOTBALL
-------------
CLEVELAND CHALLENGE CUP -- FINAL TIE
MIDDLESBROUGH v. REDCAR
In beautiful weather, the ground being in first rate condition, this, the final
tie of the third competition for the much-coveted trophy was decided on Saturday
on the Coatham and Redcar Cricket Ground in the presence of about 5000 spectators,
whilst some 500 more witnessed the game from the bridge which spans the railway.
The home team having won the toss elected to play down hill with a stiff breeze in
their favour, and at thirty minutes past three Borrie turned the ball over to Pickstock
and the game was commenced in earnest. The Middlesbrough forwards followed well up,
and in spite of the wind Howcroft had to use his hands. Some fine play take place
in front of the Redcar goal but Howcroft got the ball away. From a kick out by Alvey,
Harrison got possession and by a good run got within a few yards of the Middlesbrough
goal and was just on the point of taking a shot when Kemp came round him like a dart
and kicked the ball out of danger, much to the surprise of Harrison. Cornish, who
was playing centre, had hardly had a kick at the ball when he was injured, and although
he stayed on the ground for a few minutes more he had ultimately to retire. It now
became Redcar’s turn to attack, and several corners were gained by them, but none
were improved upon. Shepherd deliberately charged Cochrane behind, for which Redcar
had to pay the penalty of a free kick, so that the Middlesbrough goal was relieved
and the play taken more into the centre of the field. Only a few minutes more had
elapsed when Harrison had a free kick for hands. He placed the ball accurately in
front of the Middlesbrough goal, but Dawkins, with a well-timed blow, sent the ball
over the bar; a corner kick was the result but this went behind. Although the Redcar
forwards played with great determination, Middlesbrough worried them most objectionably,
and Kemp and Ransford had all their work cut out for them to keep the enemy at bay.
At length the game became remarkably fast and some admirable passing was exhibited
by the Middlesbrough forwards, Borrie having received the ball rushed off only to
be arrested by Bradbury, a corner was gained, but Alvey relieved by a long kick;
and Redcar gained a corner, this came to nothing and on Ransford kicking out he put
the ball to Borrie who turned it over to Ewbank who rushed down the right wing --
Pringle clearing the way for him in an amusing manner, passed to Borrie, who, however,
saw no opening and passed on to Pringle who put a good shot in only to be as well
fisted out by Howcroft, he was not to be denied and repeated the dose a little more
swiftly and nearer the ground gained the first goal amidst terrific applause. This
loss somewhat nettled Redcar, and for a few minutes they played with more dash, but
the Middlesbrough team who played to a man in splendid form began to wear down the
Redcar team, Dales made a splendid run, well assisted by Pickstock, but his final
shot just passed outside the left corner of the sticks. No further score was made
up to half time, and so fast had been the play that both teams must have been truly
thankful when the whistle blew. Having changed ends, Shepherd made a recommencement
by a short pass to “Barney.” Borrie was at hand, however, and rushed off to the Redcar
end, where two corner kicks were very soon gained, but both proved valueless, the
second being an excellent one, placed accurately in front, Dales heading the ball
just outside the post-- in fact, so near was it that Ewbank, who took the corner,
could not credit it when told it had not gone through. A rush by J.Bulman was smartly
stopped by Cochrane, and an onslaught by Harrison and Shepherd was promptly nipped
in the bud by Kemp. The latter, making a fine kick, sent the ball in dangerous proximity
to the Redcar citadel, where Borrie took it, and for a minute the ball was being
passed from one to another of the Middlesbrough forwards, as though each wished the
other to be credited with the final touch. Ewbank seemed to be the chosen one, and
put in a shot that first hit the left post and then went through -- a lucky goal.
The game still continued in the visitor’s favour. And it was not until 20 minutes
of the second half had run, when Harrison succeeded in getting the ball near the
Middlesbrough goal line. His final shot struck Kemp, and the ball went outside. This
gave Harrison a corner, from which he placed the ball well in front. Dawkins was
equal to the occasion, and sent the ball well down the field. This success stimulated
Redcar, and for a short time they kept the ball beyond the half-way flag; but their
hopes were only temporary, for by some dashing play on the part of the whole of the
Middlesbrough forwards they returned to the attack. Owing to the splendid play of
the Redcar backs and goal keeper, and the erratic shooting, the score was not increased
until a few minutes before the whistle warned the competitors to cease hostilities,
when Borrie came down the ground at a terrific pace, and passed everyone, but in
his haste sent the ball on to Howcroft’s legs. Dales then had a shot, and Pickstock
tried his luck, but none of the shots were of value, and the ball was put out of
play by Alvey. Ewbank took the ball and dropped it fair on to Dales’ head, from off
which it went through. The match thus came to an end, amidst tumultuous applause
by Middlesbrough winning by three goals to nil. The teams were as follows:-- Middlesbrough
- Goal, Dawkings; backs, Ransford and Kemp; Half-backs, Peel, Cochrane, and Coates;
forwards, J.Ewbank and Pringle (right), A.Borrie (centre), T.Dales and W.Pickstock
(left). Mr F.Hardisty, umpire. Redcar - Goal, J.Howcroft; backs, T.Alvey and T.Bradbury;
half-backs, Shaw, Agar, and Williams; forwards , W.Harrison and T.Shepherd (right),
Cornish (centre), W.Bulman and J.Bulman (left) F.Hardisty and T.Umpleby, umpires.
Mr Wilkinson, Sheffield, referee.
