Central v Old Boys – The match arranged to take place last Saturday between Southport Central and the Old Boys has for the last week elicited various expressions of opinion as to which team would ultimately prove victorious. The fact of Central being defeated in their first match, which was against Stanley, by no less than 3 goals seemed to make the Old Boys supporters pretty confident that their team would come out of the encounter with flying colours. Perhaps they had good reason for entertaining this supposition as the Old Boys team this season, with the exception of Greenwood, Thompson and Halsall is composed entirely of professional players, whilst in the central team there are only 7 professionals. However, the majority of those who wished to satisfy themselves as to the merits of the teams made their way to the Sports Ground Sussex Road, and at the commencement of the match there were about 500 spectators present. The Old Boys were the first to step onto the field, and they were loudly cheered, and a few minutes afterwards the Central team received a similar compliment on making their appearance. About a quarter of an hour after time the Old Boys kicked off with the wind in their favour, and at once made things pretty warm for the central, Horton defending well and Tyldesley being early called upon to save his charge. Lea-Jones made a good run on the right and passed to Graham but his shot at goal was wide. From a free kick for hands the boys sent in a good shot, but Farrar are saved and Aitken averted danger immediately afterwards when the ball was dangerously near the home goal. The Boys played up in rattling form, and Thompson made a good attempt to score but shot behind. Graham, for the Central, obtaining possession, took the leather a considerable distance and passed to Duncan who in turn passed to the right-wing, and Lea-Jones headed the first goal for Central after about 15-minutes play amidst tremendous cheering. The home team, although with the disadvantage of playing against a slight wind, were now having about as much of the game as their opponents and Graham was again noticeable of some good dribbling. Central made vigorous attempts to score again but found it no easy matter to break through the defence of the Boys’ backs who were defending in capital style. Play was transferred to the home quarters where the visitors obtained a corner, but it was not improved upon. Shaw and Ackroyd for the Central were doing good service, stopping numerous rushes by the Boys’ forwards in splendid style. The Central forwards broke away and Sourbutts experienced hard lines grazing the bar with a beauty. Thompson and Tasker exhibited good passing, but Ackroyd, who was in grand form, got the ball away, and Taylor made an excellent dodgy run to the visitors quarters, who were forced to give a corner, but nothing resulted. The Central now had most of the game, and Lea-Jones put a good one in and defeated Greenwood for the second time. The boys now exerted themselves to the utmost to score, but could not break through the impregnable defence of the central back division. Farrar and Horton in particular being conspicuous for their grand play saving time after time. Central again made an incursion into the Boys’ territory, and Duncan with a clever overhead kick hit the post, and Graham meeting the ball on the rebound registered the third goal. Shortly afterwards half-time arrived with the score three to nil, in favour of the Central.
After a short rest the home team recommenced, and put the ball through in half a minute from the kickoff, but the point was disallowed on a claim for offside. Lea-Jones worked his way up the field, and, passing to Graham, that player scored the fourth goal one minute from the start. The visitors made strenuous efforts to score, but the defensive tactics of the central back division completely nonplussed them. During the remainder of the half the home team had the game in their own hands, and by the call of time Taylor succeeded obtaining two more goals, and the match resulted in a creditable victory for the Central by the substantial majority of six goals to nil. The following were the teams:- Central: Tyldesley, Goal; Shaw and Aitken, backs; Ackroyd, Farrar and Horton, half-backs; Sourbutts, Lea-Jones, Taylor, Duncan and Graham, forwards. Old Boys: Greenwood, Goal; Pearson and Clewes, backs; Parkinson, Scowcroft and Parkinson, halfbacks; Thompson, Tasker, Halsall, Jones and Owen forwards.

Southport Central defeated what many people consider their great rivals in Southport – the Old Boys – by six goals to nil, a victory decisive enough. The central team will be bad to beat when they get going.

(Athletic News 11^th September 1888)