THE GAME.
— The Rover | 10/04/1899 —

The early morning was very promising, but in the forenoon a change came, and up to fifteen minutes from the start there was quite a succession of hail and rain. Those who had travelled from far and near to see the great game might have been expected to feel "down" a bit at the unpleasant climatic conditions. But, no! They had come to see their respective heroes win or fall, and nothing connected with the weather could have damped the patriotism that was manifest throughout the whole game. Fortunately for all parties, however, a pleasant change took place, and Old Sol, asserting himself, displaced Jupiter Pluvius, and when the teams lined up everything was gay as gay could be. The hail and rain had, of course, rendered the ground very soft, but this was reckoned in favour of Scotland. Both teams got a magnificent reception when they entered the arena, but as the two captains Smith tossed for choice all was still. The Englishman won, and, as was to be expected, elected to play with the wind and sun as his back. Referee Torrans at once set the game agoing, and without delay the battle raged furiously. 

England were first to get properly set, aud for a time the Scots' defence were severely taxed to meet the machine-like pedipulation of G. O. Smith & Co. They managed to keep their charge secure, however, and it became Scotland's turn to attack. Now was easily seen the difference of method, as whereas the Whites had moved in charming harmony, the Lion Rampant, blue-jerseyed men went at it in a most disjointed manner. The hopes of the Selecting Nine were at once blasted when it was made clear that Morgan and Bell were not mated. The Celt rushed ahead in his usual style, which is, of course, quite foreign to that with which the Liverpudlian is accustomed. The want of harmony on the left affected M'Coll, and on several occasions the Queen's Park centre was put out to sea. While no doubt the Scots managed even against the wind to make Robinson uneasy, it cannot be said that they did so by good forward play, but rather by spasmodic and individual efforts, ably coached by the half-baeks. Danger averted, the Englishmen returned to the attack, and "G. O. S." tried a happy-go-lucky shot at Doig. Unfortunately for Doig, and Scotland too, the sun at that moment shed his rays more brilliantly than before, and the Sunderland custodian, blinded by the light, was quite unable to see the ball passing through at the far-away corner. This first goal of England's was certainly a lucky point, although previously deserved on play. 

Nothing daunted, the Scots team restarted in brilliant fashion, and for a short period it looked as if the equaliser would be got. It was only for a short period, however, and soon the representatives of the Rose were at Doig's end, and here Nick Smith made a fatal error. The ball was centred by Athersmith, and the Scottish captain, whether anticipating Gibson to clear or not, committed an error of judgment in allowing the ball to pass him. Settle was soon on the job, and he "settled" it right enough, Doig having no earthly chance to save the left-winger's shot. These two reverses, of course, considerably damped the spirits of all Scotsmen present; but as the English team failed to do further damage, hopes rose high when a turn-about was made and Scotland had the benefit of wind and sun. The turn-about was a very dilatory one on the part of the English team, for whom the shivering Scots were forced to wait much longer than the ordinary five minutes. No sooner was a resumption made, however, than it became very evident to those Englishmen, Scotsmen, Irishmen, and Chinamen who were present that the Scots team would not be far out of it at the finish. At once the pressure was put on, and the Southern backs, to protect their charge, were forced to frequently give away a corner. For a time the Scots, although fully deserving of a point, failed to score, but at last, following on a prolonged siege, Bell forced through, and the Scots on the stand rose "en masse" to cheer their favourites on to further success. At this stage there was quite a scene stands. Tam o' Shanters, kilts, miniature bagpipes, and many other articles characteristic of Scotland, were strongly in evidence, and as the astonished Sassenachs viewed the demonstration they must have realised the enthusiasm of Scotland's sons when met together — "far awa' frae hame." Following up this point, the play of the Scottish halves was grand, and the forwards, although not yet moving in harmony, were enabled to keep peppering away at Robinson. The English custodian was in his best mood, however, and lucky for England that he was, as for fully ten minutes the ball seldom was away 25 yards from his charge. The Englishmen now experienced how difficult it is to contend against wind and sun, and had the Scots forwards been able at this period to shoot with any sting they must have put the issue beyond doubt. Gibson, who was perhaps the best of the half-back line, tried his hand (or foot, rather), and from that foot there issued a shot which I am sure has seldom been issued on Aston Park. That Robinson elinched it as he did is sufficient testimony of the Southampton man's ability. His save was, however, overshadowed by that of Doig, who, when Steve Bloomer, after having rushed through the defence, stood on the 12-yards' line and shot hard and strong, Doig caught the ball like a monkey would a nut, and Bloomer was left to bloom some other day. This save of Doig's was perhaps the greatest feat of goalkeeping ever seen in an International match, and no wonder Bloomer scratched his pow when he saw his great run go for nothing. After this till the finish, with the exception of an occasional attack on Doig by the English team, the Scots had much the best of play, and time and again it appeared as if the equaliser must come. 'Twas not to be, however, and after one of the greatest tussles ever seen between the two countries Scotland retired beaten by 2 goals to 1.

As anticipated by many, the weakness of the Scottish team was on the left, where Bell failed to do himself or his partner justice. Morgan played well, especially in the second half, but he was no doubt put out of joint by Bell's style. M'Coll, who was expected to do so much, although showing some masterful tactics, never did anything brilliant, and not a single shot left his foot for the proper target. To those who know M'Coll's play, this may appear strange, but it is a fact all the same; and for the reason i can only suggest the want of method as displayed by the others. Hamilton played strongly but rashly, and Campbell, although at times tricky and good, was quite overshadowed by the great Needham and Crabtree, than whom there is no better pair of defenders in the wide, wide world. Gibson, as I have stated before, was the best of the halves. Christie also did well, and although Robertson was a little off his usual owing to illness, it must be said that the Scottish team was a success. The two backs may well be bracketed as good, for although Nick Smith's error in the first half may be said to have lost the game, he made simple amends for it afterwards. 

The hero of the Scotch side was undoubtedly Doig, and the Selectors may congratulate themselves on selecting him for the post. The defeat of Scotland, although not deserved on the run of play, is a pretty good criterion of the comparative merits of the two teans. and, as one of the Irish delegates stated to me afterwards, Scotland need not think shame of their defeat from such a brilliant team as that which represented the Rose on Saturday. At times the English play was beautiful, and the tone of it was never at any period of the game approached by the Scots. As it was, however, the English may consider themselves lucky in winning, as against the wind and sun in the second half the Scots had easily the best of it; and I venture to say that had M'Coll been nursed a little better by his confreres defeat would not have been recorded to-day. His vis-a-vis on the other side was kept supplied consistently and well, and herein lay the strength of the English front rank.

The scene at the finish was one never to be forgotten. Englishmen and Scotsmen joined together in one common feeling that the Scots had provokingly hard lines, and that a draw would have represented the play.

TEAMS.

England — Robinson (Southampton), goal; Thickett (Sheffield United) and Crabtree (Aston Villa), backs; Howell (Liverpool), Forman (Nottingham Forest), and Needham (Sheffield United), half-backs; Athersmith (Aston Villa), Bloomer (Derby County), Smith (Corinthians), Settle (Bury), Forman (Nottingham Forest), forwards.

Scotland — Doig (Sunderland), goal; N. Smith (Rangers), and Storrier (Celtic), backs; Gibson (Rangers), Christie (Queen's Park), and Robertson (Southampton), half-backs; Campbell (Rangers), Hamilton (Rangers), M'Coll (Queen's Park), Morgan (Liverpool), and Bell (Celtic), forwards.

Referee — Mr Sam Torrans, Belfast.