Match Report – Southport Guardian – 08/11/1884

ASSOCIATION – LANCASHIRE CHALLENGE CUP – Southport v Preston North End

These clubs met on the Sports Ground on Saturday afternoon last to try conclusions of the second round of the above cup competition before a good number of spectators, who from their manner appeared to appreciate the play of both teams. Dalby, having won the toss, elected to defend the railway goal, with the wind at his back. Dampsey kicked off, when Melross and Morris got possession and ran the ball down, nothing resulting, the shot going wide. Smalley got away, but Johnson soon stopped his progress; the home forwards now took up the offensive, but were unable to score, Smalley clearing his charge in fine form. Gillespie and Bolton now broke away and the home goal locked in danger, but the defence was too good. Some give and take play now took place, when half time arrived, with the score nil. On Briggs restarting the ball it was thought that North End would completely run away with the home team; these fears proved groundless, as the stripes were now playing a splendid combined game, the forwards making some good runs, but owing to the strong wind blowing, the visitors began to press the home team.  Gillespie and Smalley being most conscipicuous, but Platt cleared his goal in brilliant style. Briggs and Bailey now made a run, but Woodrough stopped them and the ball was returned into mid-field. Again the home goal was threatened, the ball hitting the post twice in quick succession. Morris and Melross took the ball down the right, making a long shot; Dalby rushed up, put the ball through amidst the greatest excitement of the spectators, four minutes before the call of time. No further scores taking place, the stripes became the winners  by one goal to nil, after a hard fought and exciting game. Teams: Southport: Platt, goal; Burnett and Baxter, backs; Critchley, Ramsbotham, and Johnson, half-backs; Morris, Melross, Dalby (captain), Briggs, and Bailey forwards. North-end: Smalley, goal; Livesey and Woodrough, backs; Brown, Kilner and Eastham, half-backs; Lamb, Smalley, Dempsey, Gillespie, and Bolton, forwards. Referee, Mr R.P.Gregson, Lancashire Association.

(Southport Guardian, 8^th November 1884)