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Celtic Games 1889 – Cowlairs
Trivia
- Friendly match played at Celtic Park.
- Before a large attendance of spectators.
Review
The Scotsman – Monday, 11th November 1889, page 4
Celtic v Cowlairs – At Parkhead, on the ground of the former. The visitors kicked off, but the Celts were the first to show signs of danger. In the first half the home team notched two points, and at half time led by two to nil. The Cowlairs worked hard and showed several good points in their play, but the Celt’s defence was impregnable. Roughness was at times indulged in, and the game, which was by no means a good specimen of football ended in favour of the Celts by two goals to nil.
Teams
Celtic:-
John Kelly, Reynolds, McKeown, Gallagher, Jas Kelly, Dowds, McCallum, Madden, Coleman, Dunbar, T Maley.
Goals:- Coleman 15, Coleman.
Cowlairs:-
Duff, McLeod, McCartney, James McPherson, Masterton, McCreadie, McClair, Fleming, Calderwood, McInnes, Binks.
Articles
- Match Report (See Below)
- Official Site
Pictures
- Match Pictures
From newspaper report from the time.
Report 1
There was a pretty large attendance at Celtic Park on Saturday to witness the match between the Celtic and Cowlairs. Cowlairs had to play without John McPherson, the International left wing forward, who was troubled with an old injury to his leg and McLaren and Groves were absentees from the Celtic. The play throughout was mostly in favour of the Celtic, who won by two goals to nothing.
Duff in goal and McLeod and McCartney at back defended splendidly for Cowlairs, who as presently constituted are a formidable team, their half backs, notably McCreadie and James McPherson, are first class men, and should come in for honours this year. Their forwards are individually good, but they will require to settle down to a more combined style of play.
The Celts front division was somewhat disorganised owing to the absence of Groves. At times, however, they showed some pretty, tricky passing. McCallum has entirely recovered from the effects of his recent accident, and on Saturday his play was almost equal to that shown in his best days. Coleman and Dunbar were in great form, the former cleverly heading both of the goals scored. Kelly worked very hard, and McKeown at back has seldom shown to more advantage.
Report 2
The Celtic and Cowlairs played a friendly game on Celtic Park, before a large attendance of spectators. After a quarter of an hour’s play Madden got the ball 30 yards from the Cowlairs goal, and sent in a swift well directed shot, which Duff caught and sent out. The ball, however, came to Coleman, who headed it through amidst cheers.
Cowlairs played very hard, but they were gradually being overmatched. Neilly McCallum, although very careful about tackling an opponent, showed his old trickiness and judgement, and did many clever things.
After being hemmed in for a considerable time Cowlairs transferred the ball to the other end, where, through a misunderstanding between McKeown and Reynolds as to who should take the ball, they nearly got a goal; Kelly rushed in at the last moment, and just succeeded in blocking the progress of the ball.