1891-05-12: Celtic 3-0 Abercorn, League

Matches: 1890 1891 | 1887-1900 | League Tables: 1890-91

Trivia

• Celtic's final league match of the season, played at Celtic Park.
• Before 1,500 spectators.

Review

The Scotsman – Wednesday, 13th May 1891, page 5

Celtic v Abercorn – The closing match in the Scottish League competition was decided last night at Celtic park before fully 1500 spectators. Dolan substituted Bell at goal for the home team, and T. Dunbar and Reynolds. The Celtic pressed at the start, when Abercorn were without D. Cuthbertson, who arrived late. On his appearance matters improved somewhat. The forwards got well down, and managed to get within shooting distance. Nicol, however, shot wide. In return, the Celts resumed their operations at the other end, where M’Ghee and Campbell both shot behind. Fleming saved well at goal, and but for his agility more than one goal would have been recorded against the visitors, who were at a disadvantage in having to play without Bowie and A. Cuthbertson. Dowds and Campbell had several splendid opportunities given them after repeated inroads by the Celtic forwards, who were exceptionally fast on the ball. It was not for lack of good shooting that success did not follow their efforts. Abercorn continued to keep the game fairly open, and were occasionally on the very eve of scoring. The play never slackened, and some very clever tackling was witnessed on both sides, Kelly on the Celtic side, and Johnstone on the Abercorn being very smart in all they had to do. At half-time neither side had scored and this fact caused the greatest interest in the succeeding portion of the game. The Celts were first to become dangerous, but Dowds shot over. Abercorn got a chance immediately after this, but Bonar failed to take it. For fifteen minutes the play raged with the utmost vigour, and then M’Mahon got in, and with a grand straight shot the downfall of the Abercorn goal was at last accomplished. Abercorn deserve credit for the bold stand they made latterly. The forwards made considerable headway, and, on the whole they had more than an equal share of the game. The Celtic tried hard to increase their score, but in vain, and a surprisingly good game ended – Celtic 3; Abercorn, 0. It may be of interest to note that the first game at Paisley ended in a substantial victory for the Celtic by five goals to one.

Teams

Celtic:-
Dolan, T Dunbar, McKeown, Gallagher, Kelly, Maley, Madden, McGhee, Dowds, McMahon, Campbell.

Goals:- McMahon, McGhee.

Abercorn:-
Fleming, Bisland, D Cuthbertson, Johnstone, Eaglesham, Reid, Wallace, Nichol, Buchanan, McLaren, Bonar.

Att:- 1,500.

Stats

Team	Played	Win	Lost	Drew	For	Ag	Pts
Dumbarton	18	13	2	3	61	20	29*
Rangers	18	13	2	3	58	25	29*
Celtic	18	11	4	3	48	21	21**
Cambuslang	18	8	6	4	47	42	20
3rd LRV	18	8	7	3	38	39	19
Hearts	18	6	10	2	31	37	14
Abercorn	18	5	11	2	36	46	12
St Mirren	18	5	12	1	38	62	11
Vale of Leven	18	5	12	1	26	63	11
Cowlairs	18	3	11	4	24	59	6**
Renton***