1888-11-03: St Bernard’s 1-4 Celtic, Scottish Cup

Matches: 1887 1888 1889 | 1887-1900

Celtic Games 1888 – St. Bernards

Trivia

• A Scottish Cup Tie, played at Powderhall Grounds, Edinburgh.
• Before 6,000 spectators.

Review

Teams

St Bernard’s:-
McIntosh, Reid, Ritchie, Ross, Baillie, Blades, Knox, Hutton, Corson, Dorkin, Lowe.

Goal:- Corson.

Att:- 6,000.

Articles

• Match Report (See Below)

Pictures

• Match Pictures

From newspaper reports from the time.

Report 1

The Scotsman – Monday, 5th November 1888, page 5
Celtic v St Bernard’s – These teams met at Powderhall in the fourth round of the Scottish Cup Competition, and, despite the unfavourable weather, fully six thousand spectators were present, many journeying from Glasgow. The game all through was a capital display of scientific football, but the Celts fairly had the whip hand of their opponents, and ran out winners by four goals to one. The Celtic team was the same as published, but as Neilson was found to be ineligible for the Saints the veteran Baillie stepped into the arena. The Celts, who appeared in the familiar green jerseys, lost the toss, and kicked off at 3.10. The right wing of the Saints carried the ball over the line. The Celtic retaliated, McCallum being conspicuous with a clever run. From this an abortive corner resulted. The Irishmen kept peppering away at their opponents’ goal, Dunbar and McCallum being always prominent. After some clever work by Baillie and Lowe, the strangers were forced to concede a corner, but it was badly placed. Knox and Corson had a good opening, just after Knox passed neatly to Corson and the latter had the goal at his mercy; but to the disgust of the Saints’ supporters he sent the ball wide. The St Bernard’s continued to play up with surprising activity until a foul against Ritchie gave the Irish players relief. Ritchie tried a long shot, but it went spinning over the bar; and, indeed, the Saints’ efforts in front of goal were simply execrable. Groves had now his first run, dashing through his opponents in his own neat style until Reid brought him to bay. Some further neat dribbling by McCallum gained his side a corner, and just after McLaren all but lowered the Saints’ colours with a neat shot. From a throw-in the Celtic looked dangerous, but Ross cleared in the most approved fashion. Groves was prominent with a characteristic run, and passing in the nick of time to McCallum, the latter easily beat McIntosh who left his charge. Off-side was successfully claimed. The game was then thirty minutes old. The Saints retaliated, and Dorkin sent in a stinger which struck the cross-bar, the spectators cheering wildly under the impression that a goal had been recorded. This was hard lines for the home team, as the shot reserved a better fate. Corson had a run all by himself nearly the length of the field, and McKeown was compelled to send the leather into touch. Groves was over and over again conspicuous with his tricky play, but the whole Glasgow forwards exhibited combination of the highest order. Their excellent play gave them another corner, which was well placed by Coleman, but nothing resulted. T. Maley had a clever run up the left, and a foul against the Saints followed, which proved fruitless. Just on have-time the same player landed the second point, beating McIntosh cleverly. After a brief interval, the game was restarted, the visitors now having the wind with them. The Saints, however, were the first to show up, Corson being responsible for some good work. Ritchie made a blunder in dallying too long with the ball, the result being that the home goal had a narrow shave. The Saints repelled the advances of the Celts for a time, but Kelly was well-nigh impassable, “well-played Kelly”, being an expression of frequent occurrence. Dunbar and Coleman gave Groves a chance, which, though easy enough, he failed to avail himself of. A foul, right in the Saints’ goal-mouth, gave their opponents some anxious moments, but Hutton got the sphere away. McLaren tried some long shooting, but Groves was first was the first of this period to record a point, a neat shot going past McIntosh. The Celtic still continued to have much the best of the game, and Groves forced his opponents to give him another corner – T. Maley placing nicely , though unsuccessfully. Lowe was deservedly cheered for a capital run, but the superior passing of the “wearers of the green” completely baffled their opponents. The game for a time continued to be somewhat uninteresting, the West Country players being much too good for the Saints. The latter, however, at last rose to the occasion, and after some good combined play Corson beat Dunning with a really first-class shot. This success was hailed with loud and prolonged cheering from the home contingent. This unexpected reverse fairly roused the Celtic, and Groves, after a deer-like run over came all opposition, and landed the fourth point for his team. Several shots were sent at McIntosh, all of which he fisted out beautifully. Baillie astonished everybody by running right through all his opponents, even Kelly being beaten, but the veteran had not the requisite speed to finish with.
No further scoring took place, and, when the referee’s whistle sounded, the result was as above.

Report 2

These teams met on the ground of St Bernard’s in Edinburgh, in the fourth round of the Scottish Cup ties. The ground, in consequence of the recent heavy rains, was not in the best condition, but fortunately rain kept off during the progress of the match, which was witnessed by a very large turnout of spectators.
The western team kicked off, the ball being returned and carried over the line. the Celts again returned the ball, and a corner fell to them. It, however, proved unproductive. For some time they continued to press, but relief being found, the strangers were forced to concede a corner. Knox passed neatly to Corson, who, however, sent the ball wide.
Later Groves had a brilliant run, and McLaren made a fairly good attempt to score. A splendid passing game was then indulged in by the visitors’ forwards, who contrived to bring the ball right up to McIntosh’s charge. McLaren, however, again failed, sending the shot over the bar.
A foul and throw-in in favour of the Celts having again proved abortive, Groves shortly afterwards made a fine run, passing smartly to McCallum, who was successful in taking the point. Off-side was unsuccessfully claimed.
The Saints resumed well, Dorkin sending in a ball which just struck the cross-bar. Just at the whistle of half-time Tom Maley put on a second point for the Celts.
On resuming play the Saints gave the Glasgow men some trouble, but Kelly proved himself a host in defending. A foul in front of the home team’s goalmouth gave them some concern, but Hutton cleared. McLaren then tried some long shooting.
Groves, however, succeeded in taking a third point. The Celts continued to have the best of the game, their passing being much admired. The Saints managed to rise to the occasion, and after some really good play beat Dunning, their success being the signal for quite an ovation.
Immediately upon this, however, Groves placed the fourth point for the Celts.
No further scoring took place.

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Birmingham Daily Post 5th November 1888

Glasgow Herald 5th November 1888

The Scotsman 5th November 1888

To witness what has undoubtedly proved to be the most important match of the season in Edinburgh, there was a large and enthusiastic attendance of followers of football at Powderhall Grounds.
Owing the counter attractions, many people who desired to see the Celtic were unable to witness their play on the occasion of their former visit to the city, and accordingly all the greater satisfaction was evinced when it became known that the Glasgow combination were drawn against the St Bernard’s in the Scottish Cup.
Those who anticipated a fast and interesting game were not disappointed. The St Bernard’s, who always play a neat passing game, were strengthened by the inclusion of two University players, Blades and Knox.
Playing with the wind in their favour the local team, to the delight of the large crowd, more than held their own with the Glasgow club for the first 20 minutes, so that the Celtic had to put forth their best efforts to guard their goal.
Superior training ultimately, however, began to tell, and ere the finish of the half a couple of goals fell to the credit of the Celtic.
In the second half play for the most part was confined to the St Bernard’s ground, although the local club on a few occasions got finely away, and as the result of a clever run by the right wing Corson smartly scored a goal.
The Celtic had previous to this added a third point to their total, and immediately afterwards they brought their score up to four goals.
The play was characterised by clever passing and grand combination on the side of the winners, and a stout defence and a lack of proper understanding amongst the forwards on the part of the St Bernard’s. At the same time, the Edinburgh team is to be congratulated upon making such a good show against such an excellent all-round combination as the Celtic proved themselves to be.

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