CENTRAL V ULSTER

Southport Visiter – 27th December 1888

These teams met on the Sports ground, yesterday afternoon, before about 1000 spectators. A start was effected at 1-15 by Taylor starting the ball for the home team. Sourbutts got possession, and at once paid a visit to the Ulster quarters, but Downes was on the alert, and returned to midfeld, where operations were carried on for a short period. Duncan then made a good dribble on the left, but he was robbed while in the act of shooting. Sourbutts, however, was close at hand, and, gaining possession, he evaded the backs and shot a capital goal. After the kick off the Central forwards, who played in grand style, were again soon busy, and Mullin secured the sphere and passed to Graham, who returned to the first named, and he succeeded in placing the second goal to the credits of the home team. On restarting the Ulster forwards were seen to advantage, their passing being greatly admired, but their efforts for a time were neutralised by the good back play of the Central. However, Martin got possession, and he finished up a good dribble by defeating the home custodian. After this ends were changed, with the Central leading by two goals to one. The Mayor (Mr. B. Wilkinson) re-commenced, and for a moment the visiters gained some ground. Duncan then secured, and after a capital run right through his opponents he sent in a shot which the Ulster goalkeeper had no chance of saving. After the kick-off the visiters were again to the fore, and from a scrimmage that ensued in front of the Central goal Evans put the ball through his own sticks. Afterwards the Central had all the best of the play, and before the whistle sounded Sourbutts and Taylor had notched points, the last-named scoring twice, and the Central thus ran out winners by six goals to two.
The following the teams-Ulster: Pinkerton, Downes, Watson, Phillips, Tierney, Davie, Miller, Martin, Walton, Coyne, and G. Miller. Central: Ingram, Aitken, Evans, Blundell, Horton, Lea-Jones, Duncan, Graham, Mullin, Sourbutts, and Taylor.

Athletic News – Monday 31 December 1888

Southport Central had the best of the game with Ulster on Boxing Day, and ran out winners by six goals to two. Ulster had a much stronger team than they had against Everton on Christmas Day, R. Watson, Millward, and Pollock, of Everton, assisting them, and also Downes, of Edinburgh.