ENGLISH CUP.—FOURTH QUALIFYING ROUND.CARLISLE v. SOUTHPORT CENTRAL.

This important match was played on Saturday at Brunton Park. There was a very large attendance, an excursion from Southport assisting to swell the number. The ground was in good playing condition, though the boisterous nature of the weather detracted from the chances of a good exhibition of play. On their entrance to the field both teams were greeted with loud cheering by their respective followers.

Southport won the toss, and kicked off with a strong wind in their favour. They broke away at once, but the home backs relieved. A long spell ensued, and a fine forward run Bowerbank knocked over the line when attempting to turn the ball in. The next bit came from a cross handed in from the left; the Carlisle backs defended in smart fashion. The homesters, meanwhile, were causing frequent excitement, Barlow’s being brilliant in several directions. The half’s wing Carlisle still pressing, a fine back forced Southport to concede a corner; and immediately following this the Southport goal had a life.

A run of clever heading almost resulted in the homesters scoring, but play was soon transferred to the other end, and only the neat defence of the backs kept the visitors from succeeding. Southport formed a well-organised attack on the home citadel, the pressure being relieved by a foul on Irving. A similar condition immediately afterwards gave Carlisle a further advance, which Blyth just failed to turn the ball to account. Walder tested Smith with a nippy foot-kick, but the latter saved in fine fashion. Routledge was making a grand show at this part of the game with his sure kicking and well-judged heading.

The visiting forwards continued their bombardment, when the home men captured the ball and enabled Mills to set ahead and score; a splendid round of three-quarters manufactured this success. Play momentarily assumed Warden’s kick seemed to nettle the visitors, and Walder sent a smart shot in, but it went wide. Blyth failed again to score in attempting another point. A period of risky game in front of Southport goal ensued, and Semple, heading a Southport ball forward, gave Anderson an opening, but the ball went against the cross. Immediately a foul against passed through Sanderson found a chance at a swept past. Semple tested Smith with a low, fast ball; but the home net looked in vain for a score. Carlisle made a splendid effort by sending a dangerous and cross a nice pass, but Dorward failed to act it. Play resumed. Semple again transferred the ball and glided across the front of the goal out of the reach of Smith.

Anderson got away on the wing, and, drawing the home defence, allowed Stringfellow to net a fast ball. Routledge again came prominently to the fore with his valuable tackling, but a foul kick being awarded to Southport, Walder sent in a very dangerous shot which Smith fielded with difficulty, throwing himself full-length to the ball. Fletcher soon tested Smith again, and that stalwart cleared by a fine save of the ban. From a corner, hot attacks followed, and great credit was due to Smith for his brilliant saving. Half-time:—Carlisle, 1; Southport, 2.

On resuming Carlisle broke away with a fine dash, but the visitors soon turned the tables. A free kick was given against one of the visitors’ forwards for impeding Smith while in the act of effecting a difficult clearance. The Carlisle forwards took up the attack again, and Cockburn had hard luck when in front of goal, but soon the visitors were testing Smith once more. Caulfield centred to Fletcher, who shot hard and fast, but the ball struck the post and went wide. Southport were having the best of the game at this ban, and from a well-placed corner Caulfield headed just over the bar.

Carlisle broke away with renewed vigour, and Sanderson sent across a nice pass to Cockburn, who netted. The visitors were not, however, going to take matters lying down, and only the clever work of Smith and the fine defensive work of the home backs kept the score from further developing. The “Reds” forced matters, but the “Blues” escaped the position, and Cockburn netted, only to have the good disallowed on the grounds that he had been pressed when shooting. From a free kick to Carlisle taken by Blyth the ball was sent past, but struck the side of O’Dell. The “Reds” approached the danger zone, where Bowerbank relieved pressure by sending across to the opposite wing. On returning, the ball forwarded was netted. McGough sent in a very dangerous shot from free kick, but O’Dell saved by a hot fist. The play continued to the end, the result showing the homesters had the hand and of the game they failed to increase their score. Result:—
Carlisle … 2
Southport … 1

The following were the teams:—
Carlisle United:—Smith; Blyth, Steele; Irving, McGough, Routledge; Sanderson, Mills, Cockburn, Orr, Bowerbank.
Southport Central:—O’Dell; Dorward, Hurst; Scholfield, Walden, Dickson; Semple, Caulfield, Fletcher, Stringfellow, Anderson.

The United’s victory aroused their supporters to a high pitch of enthusiasm. Play all round was fast, and with very little to choose between the teams either way the interest was maintained. The Southport forwards were very alert and neat at their work, and being a goal behind in the latter stages of the second half pressed bravely, but the Carlisle defence was too strong for them. Carlisle were undoubtedly in form, Smith, the custodian, displaying energy and resource and defending his charge in clever fashion. Blyth was always safe, whilst the half-backs, who were much in evidence, fed the forwards with discretion. The forwards played with good judgment, though the Southport backs and custodian were very often instrumental in stopping the dangerous rushes which emanated from Bowerbank and Sanderson’s wing.

The number present was close upon 5,000, and the officials and committee of the home club much appreciate the support they received and which they anticipated when they decided not to increase the prices for admission