In one of the easiest matches in England's history, Crabtree was outclassed by his linemates. The Aston Villa F.C. player failed to capitalise on the simple waves that such a match brought; conceding a penalty and, according to several sources, wasting a scoring opportunity due to a missed penalty.

In the match against Wales, the half-back line pattern was repeated: Forman, Crabtree & Needham.

Crabtree's performance was considered a little below that of Needham, but he performed with precision and skill. Crabtree had a lot of work against the opposing inside trio, which had outstanding players such as Billy Meredith and Grenville Morris, but he managed to hold off the forward line's actions, in addition to initiating most of his team's actions. This was Crabtree's best performance as centre-half for England.

For the main match of the tournament, Crabtree moved from the half-back line to play as a left full-back, partnering Henry Thickett, of Sheffield United F.C.

CRABTREE, THE MASTER OF ARTISTS.

Without a shadow of a doubt, the left side, defensively speaking especially, was the best of the match. Crabtree was performing at a level that is rare for those who watched Association Football. His actions were formidable, splendid, and he was widely considered to be the best player of the match. Crabtree's tackling and clearing was superb; he was constantly working with finesse and the true touch of an artist. Performing magnificently, forming an exceptional partnership with Ernest Needham — possibly one of the best of all-time, the English defensive system managed to contain the Scottish advances.


BAULDIE: Than Crabtree, I do not, nor does anyone, wish to see a finer or more versatile back. He was almost perfection; nobody I know in past years, save Nicholas J. Ross, can I match with this noble "Villan." To him England owes much, very much! He was her salvator. Needham I couple, and, joining the pair, declare them in football form, and what controls that — viz., brains — to be special creations and easy firsts in Association Football in these isles.




THE ROVER: 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.

JAMES CATTON: In the second half Robinson acquitted himself manfully, while Crabtree never played a greater game in his brilliant career. It was an experiment to bring him to full-back, but he is an artist, and deserved the ball, which he picked up and made his own when the whistle finally sounded.


According to this specific International match, Crabtree himself said:


Then the International at Villa Park, in 1899, when we beat Scotland by 2 goals to 1, was one of the hardest matches I have been engaged in; I cannot recall any game which I personally had so much trying work to do. I have the ball used in that match.


It is true that many considered this performance by Crabtree to be an exceptional one, completely out of this world. However, according to John James Bentley himself, the crack footballer's performance was even better in the Inter-League match, at Celtic Park. He commented the following:


A great many people were simply enamoured with Crabtree's play. It was good, and he extricated himself in splendid fashion under extreme difficulties, but to anyone who saw Crabtree a week ago at Celtic Park, his play on Saturday was comparatively poor, and yet he did well, particularly when hard pressed.


What happened in relation to Crabtree's performance was, noticeably, a gradual increase, thus reaching his peak in the most important match — the meeting against Scotland.