Report of The Daily Gazette
Match played 18 October 1879
SHEFFIELD ASSOCIATION CHALLENGE CUP.--
MIDDLESBROUGH V. HUNSLET.-- This match, the first in the cup ties, was played at
Hunslet on Saturday, in the presence of several hundreds of spectators. Both clubs
played a strong team. The Middlesbrough men soon showed their superiority in dribbling
and passing, and eventually won by two goals to nothing. Teams:-- Middlesbrough --
Ewbank (capt.) Pickstock, Foster, Dales, Ingledew, and Osborne, forwards; Booth and
Swordy half backs; Ransforth and Greenwood backs; Harrison, goal. Hunslet-- Hebden,
Arthington, Hill, Dowd, Boothroyd, and Borthwick, forwards; Mills and Broscombe half-backs;
Forth and Stringer, backs; Gilbert (capt.), goal. Gilbert, Hartington, Boothroyd,
and Frith played well for Hunslet, as did Ewbank, Dales, Pickstock, Booth, and Harrison
for the visitors. The Middlesbrough men, by beating a strong club like Hunslet, and
by no fluke, clearly demonstrate their knowledge of and ability to play the association
game, and will make a good bid for the Challenge Cup.
=======================
Report of South Durham and Cleveland Mercury
Match played 15 November 1879
Sporting.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FOOTBALL.
MIDDLESBRO’ V. SHEFFIELD EXCHANGE.
On Saturday afternoon a match was played in the Middlesbrough Cricket Field
between the Sheffield Exchange Club and the Middlesbrough Club; these two clubs having
“tied” in the competition for the Sheffield Association Ghallenge Cup, value 70 guineas.
About thirty-six clubs entered for the cup, and on the first occasion Middlesbrough
came against Hunslet Club, and succeeded in winning the match. The weather being
fine a large number of persons assembled on Saturday afternoon to witness the play,
the result of which would give the winning club another chance for the cup. The teams
were composed as follows:-- Middlesbrough -- J. Ewbank (captain), J.Harrison (goal),
W. Ransford and F.Hardisty (backs), C. Booth and W. Greenwood (half-backs), W. Foster,
T. Dales, W Pickstock, T. Ingledew, and R. Osborne (forwards). Sheffield -- T.Buttery
(captain), W.Hinchcliffe (goal), J. Slack (back), J. Maren and J. Billings (half-backs),
G. Anthony, A. Ramsden, H. Winterbottom, W. Orton, T. Hardman, and T. Sharman (forwards.
Mr J. Windross was umpire for Middlesbrough, Mr E. Howling for Sheffield, while Mr
W. Littlehales acted as referee. The ball was to be kicked off at half past two o’clock,
and a few minutes after that time it was kicked off by Buttery, the captain of Sheffield,
Middlesbrough having won the toss. The Sheffield men soon ran the ball down to the
Middlesbrough ground, and it passed behind the goal. Harrison kicked it off again,
and the home men ran it to the Sheffield ground, but Buttery came up and kicked it
very hard, and it was soon again on the Middlesbrough ground, and Orton, getting
his foot under it, lifted it over the Middlesbrough bar. The ball was soon set agoing
again, and Maren and Billings were having a good deal of their own way until Ewbank
and Ingledew interfered and got a good run. Buttery, however, took the ball from
them and passed it to Ramsden and Orton, and the last named succeeded in kicking
the ball fifteen or twenty yards right over Harrison’s head and through the goal
posts, this being the first goal scored. Upon the ball being kicked off again Pickstock
made a good run up the middle of the ground, but Slack came up and took the ball
again into the Middlesbrough ground, and a corner kick followed another goal being
saved by Booth charging or pushing Winterbottom over. Orton next got the ball and
had a good run, in the course of which the ball struck one of the Middlesbrough forwards
on the hand , and the Sheffield men claimed a foul. Some further play having resulted
in a corner kick, Ewbank got the ball, passed the Sheffield forwards, and shot it
at the goal; but Hinchcliffe was quite up to his work, and prevented Middlesbrough
recording a goal, and here half-time was called. During the second half of the time
the play was confined almost solely to the Middlesbrough ground, the Sheffield men
proving that they were thorough masters of the game and superior in judgement to
the home team, and but for the splendid goal keeping of Harrison they would have
succeeded in recording other three or four goals. Towards the end of the match, however,
the Middlesbrough forwards appeared to rally, and played with more freedom, and on
one occasion the Sheffield goal was in jeopardy, but the visitors kept the ball from
going through. The match resulted in favour of Sheffield, who scored one goal to
Middlesbrough nothing. The Sheffield men formed a splendid team, and played in grand
style. The Middlesbrough men played well, and there can be no doubt that with a little
more practice they will be difficult to beat.
----------------------------------------
Report of The Daily Gazette.
Match played 17 January 1880
FOOTBALL.
------------
MIDDLESBROUGH (ASSOCIATION) V. REDCAR.-- This match was played on the racecourse
at Redcar on Saturday, and resulted in the victory of the home team by three goals
to nothing, a surprise for the victors that was only equalled by the astonishment
and blank dismay of their defeated opponents, who, until this disastrous day, had
held premier position among the associations clubs for miles around. Only a few months
ago a “second” team from the Middlesbrough Club beat Saturday’s victors. The incidents
of the match call for little comment. For about forty minutes the play was a continuous
attack on the home fortress, but which was too gallantly defended to be captured.
Then the Redcar men made a sortie, which developed into an attack on the enemy’s
position, and very quickly the capture of the goal. The visitors seemed completely
enervated by their first endeavours, and offered slight resistance to their foes,
who during the last ten minutes gained two goals. Teams:- Middlesbrough’-- Goal,
J. Harrison; backs, W. Greenwood and F. Hardisty; half-backs, C. Booth and Pickstock;
forwards, T. Ingledew, R. Osborne, Easton, T. Dales, Hardwick, and Jackson Ewbank
(captain). Redcar, -- Howcroft, goal; Pounder and Holmes, backs; Yeo, Horner, and
Thompson, half-backs; T. Harrison, Baker, Stickreth, Brown, and H. Harrison (captain)
forwards
Report of The Daily Gazette
Match played 7 February 1880
MIDDLESBROUGH ASSOCIATION v. LOFTUS.
This return match was played on the ground of the former on Saturday afternoon,
in the presence of a large number of spectators. At four o’clock the ball was kicked
off by the Loftus captain. Booth returned it to the centre forwards, thence it went
to Hardwick on the right wing, who passed to Ewbank, and by a splendid shot the first
goal was scored for the home team. For a few minutes after resuming some desultory
play occurred in the centre, then Dales sprang out from a scrimmage, and endeavoured
to reduce the visitors’ fortress; the ball, however, got up and flew over the bar.
The Middlesbrough men playing well together hemmed their antagonists in, the invested
citadel only being saved from a series of shots at goal by the surprising activity
of its keeper. Watts now attempted to raise the siege, but after showing good pace
was vanquished by the home backs. Ewbank then got hold of the leathern globe, and
after a lot of dodging tried to capture the Loftus goal, the ball glancing from one
of the backs behind the posts, The corner kick gave rise to a rough scrimmage near
to the goal, but its custodian, darting in to the midst, picked up the ball and threw
it far into play. This movement was in turn outflanked by Ingledew, who, after a
sharp run, passed the ball with considerable dexterity across the field to Ewbank,
who eluded the visitors’ last line of defence, and scored a second goal. Soon after
the kick-off Redman made a good run, passing all his opponents, and was within an
ace of securing the first goal for his side, when Hardisty came rushing up behind
Harrison and right gallantly relieved his citadel. Dales about this time had several
“shots” at the visitors’ goal, none of which increased the score. Then he tried to
“head” the ball through, but it passed just outside the posts. Again Ewbank got hold
of the ball, and after giving his opponents a taste of his dribbling qualities, and
showing a clean pair of heels, he secured a third goal. Just then the umpire called
time. On play being resumed the visitors braced themselves up, and gave the home
team great cause for uneasiness, Redman particularly distinguishing himself. Ewbank
now made a brilliant run the whole length of the field, but when close to goal T.Rowland
came and “his quietus gave” for a short time. The forwards of the home team were
not to be denied. Osborne and Ingledew made a good run, the ball, however, rolling
out of play, from whence it was quickly kicked by one of the visitors, and dales,
getting hold of the ball, punted it through the goal, but owing to some misunderstanding
it was disallowed. The rest of the play was very fast, and no further score being
made, the Middlesbrough team won by three goals and one dispute to nil. Ewbank, Hardwick,
Booth, Redman, Spoor, T. Rowland, and F. Rowland played well for their respective
teams.
Teams:--
MIDDLESBROUGH.-- Ewbank (captain). Hardwick, dale, Pickstock, Osborne, and Ingle
dew (forwards); Booth and Peel )half backs);Hardisty and Slater (backs); Harrison
(goal).
LOFTUS.-- Williams (captain), Spoor, Pearce, Redman, Watt, and Appleby (forwards);
G. Mears and Garbutt (half-backs); T.Rowland, and C. Rowland (backs); F. Rowland
(goal).
=================================================
Report of The Daily Gazette
Match played 14 February 1880
MIDDLESBROUGH v. TYNE ASSOCIATION (NEWCASTLE).
This match was played on the Northumberland Cricket Ground, Newcastle, on Saturday.
Almost immediately after the ball was kicked off the visitors began to press their
opponents, although deprived of the services of their captain, Mr J. Ewbank, who
was at Sheffield playing against a Scotch team, and with the additional disadvantage
of playing one man short. After fifteen minutes’ play Harrison kicked a goal for
the Tees-side team. This eventually proved to be the only goal kicked during the
match. No advantage was got from the great number of corner kicks that fell to the
lot of the Middlesbrough team, who won by a goal to nil. Teams:--
MIDDLESBROUGH. -Goal, Shearer; backs; T.Harrison and Greenwood; half-backs,
Booth (captain) and Peel; forwards, W.Harrison, Dales, Hardwick, Ingledew, and Pickstock.
TYNE. -Goal, Williams; backs, Cumberlege (captain) and Simpson; half-backs,
Bruce, Biddlestone; forwards, Gibson, Wylaw, Richardson, Watson, Evans, and Henry.
Report of The Daily Gazette.
Match played 13 March 1880
IMPORTANT FOOTBALL MATCH AT MIDDLESBROUGH.
----------------------------------
SHEFFIELD V. MIDDLESBROUGH.
This match was played on the ground of the Middlesbrough Cricket Club on Saturday.
It had been looked forward to with considerable interest, and this fact combined
with a glorious afternoon, brought together upwards of a thousand spectators, among
whom were many of the elite of the district. Exactly at 3.15 p.m. the ball was set
in motion by J.C.Clegg, the Sheffield captain, his team playing with the sun shining
brilliantly into their eyes. Booth tackled the ball and passed to Ewbank, who made
a good run, but Clegg by a well-directed kick sent the ball to Gregory, who after
a grand run made a shot at the Middlesbrough goal; the ball, however, passed harmlessly
over the bar. The home forwards now menaced the Sheffield fortress, the custodian
of which, by using his hands, averted immediate danger. Booth brought the ball back,
but Fletcher effectually relieved his team from dread. Ewbank now proved his ability
to dodge by running the ball the length of the field; he secured a corner kick, from
which no advantage was gained. Clegg then passed the ball to his forwards, and they,
making a sharp rush, came in contact with the home backs. Out of the scrimmage that
ensued England kicked the first goal of the day. Very soon after the ball was kicked
off Newbould made a dashing run and, passing the ball to Gregory, a second goal was
nigh being scored. Harrison, however, proved equal to the emergency, and saved his
charge. Some good work by the home forwards caused the play for a few minutes to
be on Sheffield ground; two corner kicks and a foul were allowed in quick succession
to the Middlesbrough team. Then the “blades” cut through the investing forces, but
before much ground was covered Peel sent the ball spinning back. Slack by a powerful
kick rendered good service for his side, and for some little time the game was carried
on with interchanges by the opposing backs. Then the Sheffield forwards made one
of their most brilliant runs of the game. Charging up the field in line they passed
with machine-like regularity, and but for the dexterity of the Middlesbrough goal-keeper
a capture would have been immediate. Pickstock and dales by nimble tactics took the
ball into the visitors’ quarters, and Pedoski was obliged to use his hand in defence
of the citadel. Ingledew and Harrison then gave a taste of their quality, and the
latter by a good shot from the wing scored a goal which equalised the game. An objection
was laid against this goal but was over ruled by the umpire and referee. The Sheffielders
seemed to gain energy by this reverse and soon began to press their opponents back
foot by foot. England and Brown manipulated the ball about the home fortress, the
latter ??aying a capture, but was foiled by Bastard. Two more futile attempts were
made by the visitors at goal. J.Harrison baffling the first, the other rising over
the bar. Hardwick secured the ball from the kick-off, and made a very pretty run,
only to come to grief against the redoubtable Fletcher. But Ewbank and Hardwick were
not to be denied, and dodging all their opponents, the former effected a splendid
screw kick into the centre amid the applause of the spectators. This success unnerved
the Middlesbrough centre forwards, and the goal, which for a few moments seemed at
their mercy, was most effectually relieved. Just then half time was called. The match
during this half had been severely contested. Neither side having gained any palpable
advantage, the interest in the result showed no signs of abatement. Soon after the
game had recommenced the ball struck Clegg on his hand. For a moment it looked as
if Middlesbrough were going to score from the free kick, but Clegg and Brown took
the globe from its dangerous proximity to the Sheffield goal. Fletcher tried a long
shot at goal and placed its guardian on active defence. The ball was now well worked
in front of the home goal. W.W.Teather tried a shot, but Harrison “knocking on,”
the ball glanced up, struck the bar, and while descending was beautifully headed
between the posts by Gregory, making the second goal for Sheffield. After some warm
play by both teams, W.Harrison dribbled the ball up the field, and, on trying to
reduce the visitors’ fortress, the ball rose just over the bar. Newbould and W.T.Teather
now made a dangerous movement, which again called the able services of J.Harrison
into requisition. For some time the ball was kept in neutral territory, owing mainly
to the exertions of Pickstock, Ewbank, Slack, and Fletcher. The latter played magnificently,
and by a well-judged kick enabled his team to invest the Middlesbrough citadel, its
defenders being obliged to act strictly on the defensive. Many times its downfall
seemed inevitable, and as many times it was wonderfully saved. At length W.Harrison
made a useful sortie that made the play once more assume an open character. Gregory,
who showed good speed throughout, dribbled the ball down the field, and with a screw
kick passed to the centre. The leather struck W.T.Teather on the back, and from thence
went between the goalposts, but he being “off-side” the notch was disallowed. The
Tees-side forwards now made a combined rush on their opponents’ goal. The spirit
that rules the destiny of players of football treated them somewhat scurvily, and
the combination failed. But “worse remains behind.” Gregory getting the ball at his
toes, and seeing the road to the Middlesbrough goal clear, ran swiftly down the field,
and never stopped until the ball flew betwixt the posts. The spectators commented
rather severely on the play of the home backs at such a critical moment. When the
ball was played off the home team strove strenuously to neutralise the successes
of their foes, and took the ball close to the opposite goal. Unfortunately they seemed
to lack the precision necessary for goal getters. From now until the finish the Sheffielders
put immense pressure on their opponents, but failed to increase their score. Ewbank
and Pickstock made many dashing attempts to retrieve the falling fortunes of their
team, but in vain. The visitors thus won by three goals to one. For Middlesbrough
Ewbank, Booth, Pickstock, and Hardwick worked hard and well, as did Slack, Fletcher,
and Gregory for the visitors. Teams:--
MIDDLESBROUGH.- Harrison, goal; Bastard and Greenwood, backs, Booth and Peel,
half-backs; H.Harrison, Pickstock, Ingledew, Dales, Hardwick, and Ewbank (captain)
forwards.
SHEFFIELD.- Podoski, goal; Slack and Osborne, backs; Fletcher and W. Teather,
half-backs; Brown, England, Newbould, W.T.Teather, Gregory, and J.C.Clegg (captain)
forwards.
-----------------------------------------------------
