STANLEY V, SOUTHPORT CENTRAL

Liverpool Mercury  03/12/1888

These teams met at Walton Stiles, it being the third contest of the season between the clubs. The visitors started the ball soon after three o’clock, which late start necessitated playing but two 35’s. The game proved even for about a quarter of an hour, when the Central obtained a scrimmaged goal. Stanley prevented further scoring up to the interval, though often severely attacked. Roberts, on change of ends, saved finely, but failed to stop a shot by Gray a little later, Both goalkeepers were then called upon to clear, but the home shots were badly directed, whilst Roberts saved brilliantly twice. A third goal followed for Southport, Duncan sending through, and immediately afterwards Brown scored for Stanley, the game terminating in a victory for the Central by 3 goals to 1.

CENTRAL v STANLEY

Southport Visiter, 4th December 1888

These clubs met at Walton Stiles on Saturday, before a mere handful of spectators, the majority of which were Southportonions. The ground was in fairly good condition considering the recent rains, Stanley played their full strength, and were confident of victory, but they had more to contend with then they bargained for, and had it not been for the brilliant display of Roberts, the home custodian, who saved some marvellous shots, the score would have been at least a dozen goals to one. A commencement was made at 3:15, when the following teams fed each other:- Stanley: Roberts, goal; Wilson and Ashcroft, backs; Martin, Richmond, and Macdonald, half-backs; Threlfall, Jones, Platt. Brown, and Fenn, forwards. Central: Ingram, goal; Blenkhorn and Aitken, backs: Horton, Ackroyd, and Lea-Jones, half-backs; Sourbutts, Taylor, Graham, Mullen, and Duncan, forwards. Southport kicked off, and at once made a raid into the Stanley quarters. Wilson met the attack, and Stanley retaliated, and Platt and Jones raced up the right and tested Ingram, and had hard lines, the ball striking the uprights. Sourbutts and Taylor removed the play to the other end, but shot badly. The Central, not to be denied, again tested Roberts, who fisted out, but Mullen beat him eight minutes from the start, and scored with a low shot. Duncan raced down the left, and, after passing several men, shot high ever the bar. The kick out brought no relief, and two corners had to be conceded, from which nothing was scored. The Central were playing in grand form, and kept up a fusilade on the Stanley goal. Roberts was cheered for splendid saving. Stanley at length broke away, and Macdonald shot behind. A foul is a dangerous position gave Stanley a chance but Aitken was too good and kicked well up the field. Mullen dribbled finely up the centre and passed nicely to Duncan on the left, who spoiled his chance by kicking into touch. Blenkhorn met the throw-in, Platt meeting his kick and dribbled up the centre, Blenkhorn robbing him in good style; Martin returned, but Jones shot wide. Stanley were now shaping better, and play was kept in the Central’s quarters. Sourbutts now made a splendid effort, and finished with a grand shot. Roberts fisting out when it seemed impossible to save. Stanley had a turn, Aitken spoiling their efforts. Martin was next prominent. Ackroyd met him, and kicked strongly. Brown met his kick, and raced up the right, centreing to Platt, who had hard lines with a high shot. Ackroyd robbed the Stanley forwards, and half-time arrived with the score–Central, one goal; Stanley, nil. Stanley kicked off after the interval, and the Central at once rushed the ball down, but Roberts saved. Not to be denied, they were again swarming round the Stanley goal, and Graham scored number two one minute from the restart. Duncan ran and dribbled nicely up the right and centred to Taylor, whose shot dropped on the bar-hard lines. S5anley were now being hard pressed, the Central defence being grand, and the forwards not slow to take the advantages their backs afforded them. Roberts was repeatedly cheered for good saving, and but for his splendid defence the score would have been a large one. Stanley at length broke away, Platt and Martin trying hard to retrieve their falling fortunes, but bad shooting again spoiled their efforts. Ashcroft robbed Duncan when he was in a favourable position, and Jones ran nicely down the left, giving Stanley a chance, but they were weak in frost, seldom giving their centre a pass. Jones and Platt ran and passed nicely, Jones again shooting badly, and Southport were swarming round the Stanley goal and after Roberts had fisted three shots out in quick succession, Taylor best him with a very fast one. From the kick off Stanley took the ball down with the usual result – bad shooting. At length Stanley broke away in a determined manner, the forwards sailing down in a line, and after some pretty passing Brown defeated Ingram for the first time, and the game ended with the score -Southport Central, three goals; Stanley, one goal. Mr. R McGowan and Mr. Ross, as umpires, gave general satisfaction.

STANLEY DEFEATED.

Athletic News – Tuesday 04 December 1888

Stanley had Southport Central for visitors at Walton Stiles, and were defeated by three goals to one. The game, on the whole, was in favour of Southport, Aitken at back, and Duncan forward, playing well, whilst Roberts in goal saved Stanley a much heavier reverse. Jones was the pic of the home forwards but bad shooting spoiled their efforts. Wilson, at back, played a good game, but the defence of the backs was rather weak.

Southport Visiter, 8th December 1888

Last Saturday the Central travelled to Sandhills to meet the Stanley Club at Walton Stiles. A well be remembered by those who take an Interest in football matters, the Stanley Club played the opening game with the Central, and on that occasion the visiting team were victorious to the extent of four goals to one. After that home and home matches arranged, and the Stanley Club again visited the Sports Ground, but they were not very well represented, and the consequence was that the home club ran out winners by three goals to none. Last Saturday the Stanley Club had whipped together their strongest team, being specifically augmented for the occasion, and they were confident of victory. They had, however, reckoned without their host, as the local club have made rapid strides towards perfection, and they simply romped round their opponents. At the commencement of the game, which was witnessed by a mere handful of spectators, most of whom made the journey from Southport, the home team made a momentary visit to the Central citadel, but their efforts were repelled by Ingram. After this the Central had all the best of the game, and caused Roberts to fist out quite score of times which he did in a most masterly manner. When the whistle sounded Mullin, Taylor, and Graham had, however, managed to defeat him, and after this the visiting players relaxed their efforts Brown was enabled to register a point for the home team. The victory was a most creditable one, and it proves what a great improvement the local club has made since its formation. This afternoon the Central meet Astley Bridge on the Sports Ground with the following team, which I have not the slightest doubt will render a good accent of themselves – Ingram, Shaw, Aitken, Horton, Ackroyd, Lea-Jones, Sugg, Mullin, Taylor, Graham and Duncan. Reserves, Blinkhorn and Sourbutts. Umpire, Mr. McGowan Kick-off at 3-15.
Bola” was evidently determined that Duncan and Mallin should play well at Stanley at Sator day. He said they were gaining weight to hitrek them for a conditional under the pretence that be Was showing them the nearest way to the field. On the way to the ground he met a lot of youngsters playing football, whom he robbed of the ball, and, after threading his way through the rising geners tton, he sent in a shot which fairly surprised Duncan Mallio was so pleased at the skill exhibited by Betis” that he saked him to take his plan to the Central tearn, an honour which good old Beff. declined with thanks.