ENGLAND v. SCOTLAND
— John James Bentley | 01/04/1901 —

The England v. Scotland match is always interesting. It is often asserted that anything outside a Cup-tie or a League engagement is not worth watching, but that will not appeal to old stagers who year by year have witnessed the International between England and Scotland, for it is always most keenly fought, and you may invariably depend upon seeing not only a hard-fought game, but a good display of football. On Saturday, unfortunately, the meteorological conditions were not of the most approved order, and the ground at the Crystal Palace was very bad. I daresay it is well drained, but it is situated at the bottom of the hill, and all the moisture drains into it. And there was any amount of moisture. No doubt the blizzard seriously affected the attendance, for there were not more than 15,000 present, and 15,000 looks a very meagre crowd at the Palace. But if deficient in numbers, the 15,000 did not lack enthusiasm, and I should imagine that all the Scotsmen in London had turned out to witness their countrymen win. 

They had not that gratification, however, and for a considerable period looked like losing, for Blackburn gave his side a lead in the first half which they maintained. It was a funny goal, and, in my opinion, distinctly offside. The work leading up to it merited a couple of goals, but when Blackburn put the ball through he was decidedly off-side. However, it counted, and the second half had well advanced ere Sutcliffe was beaten by a long shot, and then a header by Campbell, I think it was, slided along, when Sutcliffe evidently thought it would bounce, and Scotland were a goal ahead. England got upon a level footing owing to a mistake by Drummond, who mis-kicked, and let in Bloomer. The Derby man never lost his head, but ran in with the ball, and Rennie came out of his goal as if to save a penalty kick, and Bloomer took one which, unlike Needham's earlier on, was effective. During the last few minutes (the referee evidently did not adhere to the regulation 45 each way) both Sutcliffe and Rennie were called upon, but saved, and the result of a hard battle was a draw of two goals each, so that England with five points are entitled to the championship of the New Century.

A FREE CRITICISM.

Most people seemed to imagine that England would be easily beaten. I was not of that opinion, and events justified the conclusions arrived at. To my mind, the result was a true reflex of the game. In the first half England ought to have led by a couple of goals, but during the second the Scotsmen played up in splendid fashion, and looked like winning until Drummond made his unfortunate mistake. But every credit is due to Bloomer for the cool and methodical manner in which he took advantage of it, and nothing could have been better than the way he dribbled along and ultimately beat Rennie. Most forwards would have done something ridiculous, but Bloomer felt he was on his own, so to speak, when he got through, and didn't trouble about anyone else. The English team may not have been the acme of perfection, but it proved a very serviceable side, and just held its own against one of the most powerful teams sent out of Scotland. The forwards were quick on the ball and seldom at a loss what to do with it. The only mistake they made was in not shooting often enough, although I daresay Rennie will be inclined to disagree with me in this. "G. O." once more proved his value as a centre forward, and R. E. Foster, who has played in all the three Internationals, gave a clever exhibition of his dribbling powers, occasionally completely mystifying the Scottish defenders. Blackburn played a serviceable if not a showy game, and I should think this young man has a brilliant future. Bloomer was clever, and no one but an experienced hand would have scored the all-important equalising goal as he did. Whilst giving Frank Forman and Ernest Needham every credit, I think a word of praise is due to Wilkes, for the unassuming Aston Villa man worked hard all through the piece, and was always ready to have a pop at goal. At back, Oakley was easily in front, for after the first half hour Iremonger fell off, but Oakley has played much better. Sutcliffe had not a great deal to do, but the shots put in were awkward ones, and he came out very well indeed, some of his clearances being really splendid.

THE SCOTTISH TEAM.

It is impossible to speak too highly of the eleven men sent down by Scotland. There was not a weak spot in them, and although they did not get in proper working order during the first half, there were many instances of clever work both individually and collectively, and in Walker they have an outside right who thoroughly understands his business, and who does not attempt to assert his cleverness to the expense of his side. M'Coll was rather disappointing, but he had a watchman in the person of Forman, who seldom left him, and after last year's experience at Parkhead, Forman was a good judge. The whole line of forwards occassionally combined in the most brilliant fashion, but it was not sustained. The halves were good, and I don't think anyone did better service than Aitken, who took Gibson's place. Aitken is centre-half, but appears to be able to play on the right. At back, we had two very determined customers in Battles and Drummond, and they both went for the English forwards unmercifully, but, let me say, in a perfectly legitimate fashion. They are heavily built, and use their weight, but very rarely unjustifiably so. Rennie kept goal splendidly, and had much more work than Sutcliffe. He is not a class custodian, but no one could possibly grumble at his performance on Saturday. It was a capital game, and just about merited the result of a draw. For the sake of references I append the names of the teams:—

England: J. W. Sutcliffe, goal; J. Iremonger and W. J. Oakley, backs; A. Wilkes, F. Forman, and E. Needham, half-backs; W. Bennett, S. Bloomer, G. O. Smith, R. E. Foster, and F. Blackburn, forwards.

Scotland: H. Rennie, goal; B. Battles and J, Drummond, backs; Aitken, A. Raisbeck, and J. Robertson, half-backs; R. Walker, J. Campbell, R. S. M'Coll, Hamilton, and A. Smith, forwards.