MIDDLESBROUGH FOOTBALL CLUB

PAGES FROM HISTORY

PRE-LEAGUE FOOTBALL - [ENTERED DIVISION 2 1899]

South Durham and Cleveland Mercury, Friday, January 24th. 1896.

NORTHERN LEAGUE.

MIDDLESBROUGH  ……………..1

DARLINGTON ……………………1

    In a Northern League fixture these teams met and tied at Middlesbrough. There was a strong wind prevailing, which greatly interfered with the play. Middlesbrough had the advantage in the first half, and at once got to the front, but the shooting was interfered with by the gale. Tranter stopped the Darlington men when the other end was visited, and Norris was equally effective in Darlington’s defence. Young sent in with a huge punt, and registered the first goal for the home team. Mullen had hard lines through the wind, and the venue being reversed Boyle narrowly missed. From this point Middlesbrough almost continually pressed, and Henderson put in some fine defensive work, particularly in a hot scrimmage following a free kick. Middlesbrough finally got the leather between the sticks, but the referee did not allow a goal. Thereafter Darlington seemed to “buck up,” and considering the gale they fairly held their own. In the second half play ruled in favour of the Skernesiders for some time, and when the homesters relieved the pressure Nelmes and McNally narrowly failed to score. Henderson conceded a corner, which went unconverted, and Waites at the other end shot over. At last Tolson equalised with a shot which both Tranter and Cooper failed to stop. Darlington again went to the front, but the home backs were all there and would not let the Skernesiders through.

COMMENTS.

    The game was of an exciting character, and naturally owing to the high wind which blew the length of the field, each side had its turn. The gale certainly spoiled the game from an artistic point of view, as the play of the forwards was greatly interfered with thereby. It, however, gave each line of defence a splendid opportunity of showing their quality, and this they did not fail to take advantage of.

 

South Durham and Cleveland Mercury, Friday, February 21st. 1896.

SATURDAY’S FOOTBALL.

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ENGLISH AMATEUR CUP.

ROYAL ARTILLERY  ..............  2

MIDDLESBROUGH  ................  1

    This match was played at Middlesbrough on Saturday, and decided which team should enter the third round of the English Cup competition. After a fine kick for Middlesbrough, Mullens relieved at close quarters, but Reilly ran out and saved at the expense of a corner. Nothing occurred, Phillips kicking out on the right to save. Nelms shot over at the next essay. The Artillery were pulled up for a foul, and Mullens was given offside. Nelms put in a very hot shot, but Reilly saved brilliantly. Bach was penalised for jumping, and another foul; being given against Middlesbrough, Cooper had to save, which he did very cleverly. The position was quickly reversed, and from a free kick Middlesbrough looked like scoring, but Reilly again came to the rescue. The visitors’ goal was again hotly attacked, but Frost kicked wildly over. From a throw-in on the right the soldiers ran down, but Walsh put behind. At the other end Adams sent in a beauty which just struck the cross-bar and bounced over. Middlesbrough continued to press for some time , but finally Meggs got down and scored a very soft goal for the swaddies. Hanna got the ball through again, but was given off-side. Half-time came with the Artillerymen a goal in front. In the second half the play continued to be of an exciting character, and a nice drop kick by Bach resulted in the visitors’ custodian being rushed into the net with the ball in his possession. Shortly Bach sent in another splendid shot, but Reilly was not given a chance, and no goal was allowed. When the visitors got to the fore Adams used his hands, and a penalty kick being awarded the soldiers put on their second goal. No further score was made, and the holders of the army cup retired victorious.

 

 

SDCM sat April 4 1896

CLEVELAND SENIOR CUP. -- FINAL

MIDDLESBROUGH. . . . . . . . . . 0

SALTBURN SWIFTS . . . . . . . . . 0

Played at the Normanby-road Ground, South Bank, on Saturday, before a large attendance of spectators. The weather was beautifully fine, and the ground was in first-class condition. Middlesbrough won the toss and Anderson started for the Swifts. Middlesbrough at once broke away, and Hodgson was called upon to save two shots put in by Murphy. Play continued in the Swift's quarters for some time, and then Cartwright shot in at the other end. Cooper saved, and then Middlesbrough attacked, the Swifts goal being in danger for some time. Murphy put in a good shot, but Hodgson threw well away. Middlesbrough pressed hard and sent in several good shots, but the defence of the Swifts was excellent. Play was transferred and Cartwright, passing Piercy, looked like scoring, but Cooper ran out and relieved the pressure. Nelms was getting nicely away when he was intercepted by Bellwood. Shortly afterwards a free kick was awarded Middlesbrough, and Nelms headed over the crossbar. Cartwright again got possession, and passing the Middlesbrough backs the only person to contend with was Cooper, who managed to get the ball. Some time after a corner was awarded Middlesbrough, and Murphy placed well, but Coulthard headed nicely away. Middlesbrough attacked vigorously, but they were unable to get through, and when the interval arrived neither side had scored. On crossing over Middlesbrough were given a free kick for hands, and this placed them well into possession. Johnson received and shot in, the ball going over the cross-bar. Immediately afterwards Longstaff put in, the Swifts having to save at the cost of a corner. The ball was centred beautifully, but the Swifts managed to save, but not until after some dangerous play had taken place. The Swifts got away, but they were quickly pulled up, and Johnson, who received, worked the ball beautifully towards the Swifts' goal, but Gray relieved. Saltburn worked the ball away, and Cartwright sent in, but Cooper saved, and at the other end Hodgson had to save a shot put in by Murphy. Middlesbrough pressed heavily, and several shots were put in, but without a score being effected. Just before time was called Gray put in a long shot, but Piercy headed the ball beautifully out of danger. The game ended in a draw, neither side having scored.

 

SDCM Friday April 17th 1896

SATURDAY'S FOOTBALL.

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CLEVELAND SENIOR CUP.

MIDDLESBROUGH . . . . . . . . . . . 3

SALTBURN SWIFTS . . . . . . . . . . 0

The replayed final took place on the Feethams Ground, Darlington, on Saturday in the presence of a fairly good attendance of spectators. Gettins started the ball, and the Swifts soon got possession and worked themselves close into the Middlesbrough goal. Middlesbrough got away, and having worked the leather beautifully down Gettins sent to Adams, who scored a very easy goal. Several other shots were made by Middlesbrough, and the Swifts had a look in. Middlesbrough were again awarded a free kick, and Bach, who took the kick. placed beautifully, Gettins headed through the second goal. On the restart the Swifts attacked vigorously, but they were unable to come anywhere near scoring. Each end of the field was visited in turn, and then the whistle blew for half time. On crossing over Middlesbrough attacked, and Hodgson saved shots put in by Adams and Gettins. From a foul throw in the Middlesbrough contingent got well up, and after some struggling Gettins got through the third goal. No further score was effected, and the game ended in a win for Middlesbrough by three goals to nil.

COMMENTS.

There was a very poor sample of football, exciting play being conspicuous by its absence.Neither team played up to its usual form, and a most tame match ended in a victory for Middlesbrough by three goals, two of which were very simple indeed. The best team undoubtedly won, and although Middlesbrough was practically playing with ten men -- Longstaff being crippled in the early part of the game -- the Saltburn contingent failed to effect a score, in spite of the fact that they had some splendid chances. At the conclusion of the match Mrs T. B. Swinburne presented the cup and gold medals to the successful team. On the motion of Mr Gaudey, a hearty vote of thanks was accorded Mrs Swinburne, on behalf of whom Major Swinburne replied.