SOUTHPORT CENTRAL v. PRESTON ST. JOSEPH’S.

Lancashire Evening Post – 10/11/1888

Played on the Southport ground, in the presence of a large company of spectators. A cold strong
wind blew almost directly across the ground. Southport kicked off, and took the play into the Preston quarters, where they remained the greater part of the first-half. The teams proved to be very evenly matched, and the goal shots-were about equal. The home forwards showed up best, but the visitors came nearest scoring. Half-time arrived with no score.

Result—Southport Central 0, St. Joseph’s 0,

Southport Visiter

ATHLETIC NEWS

FOOTBALL

ASSOCIATION

Last Saturday the Central, with their full strength, encountered Preston St. Joseph’s on the Sports Ground, Sumner-road. The day was not a very inviting one for spectators, as a bitterly cold wind was blowing. Still a large number turned up at the appointed time to witness the contest. The arrangements for the kick off were 3:15, but it was nearly four o’clock before the Central put in an appearance, and the contest was abandoned. This, the latter part of the game, caused a great deal of dissatisfaction among the spectators, and I hear that nothing short of clearing the field through dissatisfaction in the future would have been the first intimation that the Central players have been late, to inform them of the fact. It is a very poor excuse to say that owing to the services of sailors they could not get there any sooner. If such is the case, however, let them starve their homes—which I suppose they get paid for their work—at least some do—and they should attend to it in a proper manner. It is by no means pleasant to have to write in this strain, and I hope I shall be spared from doing so again. When the game did commence, Ingram, the new goalkeeper, was called upon to shape in a lower shot. This he did with capital judgment, and if he always acquits himself as well in such difficult shots, the Central will have succeeded in obtaining a man they ought to be proud of. The Preston team were a very heavy lot, and executed some really clever long passing. Taylor, who is generally so smart in front of goal, was very weak last Saturday, otherwise he did some good work. Sourbutts and Duncan had hard lines on several occasions, their final efforts just going a little wide of the mark. Ackroyd led the forwards with his usual good judgment, but they failed to avail themselves of the opportunities presented. The wind, no doubt, had much to do with the erratic shooting, and on a fine day I am firmly of the opinion that the Central are three or four goals better than the Preston team. The match terminated in a draw which was a great surprise to the Prestonians who were present. This afternoon the Central meet Blackburn Olympic, at Southport, with the following team:—Ingram, Shaw, Blenkhorn, H. Ackroyd, Horton, Lee, Taylor, Mullin, Sourbutts, Graham, and Duncan. Reserve: Forshaw. Umpire: Mr. McGowan. As the game is sure to be a good one, I expect to see a monster attendance.