| Match Pictures | Matches: 1892–1893 | 1887-1900 |
Trivia
- Friendly match played at Bramall Lane, Sheffield.
- Kick-off 5:35pm.
- Before 4,000 spectators.
- First of four matches of their England tour.
Review
Teams
Sheffield United:
J.W.Lilley; Cain and Whittam; Needham, Hendry and Howell; Drummond, Davies, Dobson, Hammond and Wallace.
Goal:-Hammond 62.
Celtic:
Cullen; Reynolds, Dunbar; Malley, Kelly, Clifford; Murray, McCann, Cunningham, Campbell, Blessington.
Att: Around 4,000
Pictures
- Match Pictures
Articles
Friday, September 02, 1892; pg. 8; Issue 11870.
19th Century British Library Newspapers: Part II.
The football season of 1892-3 opened in Sheffield last evening by a visit of the famous Scottish team, Celtic, to Bramall lane, to play Sheffield United. About 4,000 spectators were present, and a very interesting game was witnessed. There were several notable absentees from the Celtic team, viz., Doyle, Madden, and McMahon. The United made one change from the side selected, Joe Brady being unable to play owing to an injury received in practice, and Davies being substituted, the team consisting entirely of players who belonged to the club last season. A rather strong breeze prevailed throughout the game, and grew stronger by the finish.
Howell, by some neat play, initiated a dangerous raid on the Celtic goal, but Hammond shot across. the United kept at it, however, and only two smart saves by Cullen prevented first Dobson and then Wallace from scoring. The Scotchmen then made a dash to the other end and got the first corner of the match, but without breaking down the Sheffield defence, and away the ball was quickly sped to the visitors' end, where a good centre by Drummond game Hammond a splendid opening, but the home centre sent the ball much too high over the bar. Good kicking by the Celtic backs, Reynolds and Dunbar, repelled the Sheffielders, and the visitors waking up made several assaults on the home stronghold, but without beating Whittam and Cain, the later of whom on one occasion prevented a good shot from Blessington going by. Play now was of an open a dn even character. From a free kick the Celts at length pressed, Lilley kicking away. A corner came to the Scotchmen, however, but the ball was eventually shot out. The visitors dashed in again, but good defence repulsed them.
Neat play by McCann and Murray ended in the latter giving Lilley a shot to stop. The home goalkeeper saved all right, and soon afterwards beat away another shot, a long one. Then the United has a turn, but from a clever pass by Wallace, Dobson just missed. Hammond rushed through and shot in low down, but Cullen saved only just in time to avoid a rush. Murray made a capital run on the outside right and shot low and fact, but amidst cheers Lilley saved cleverly on the ground, and immediately afterwards saved well a dangerous shot from Campbell. The Sheffielders then advanced with spirit, but good play by Malley stopped them, and shortly afterwards half-time arrived without either side having scored.
Changing ends the United had the benefit of the wind. Immediately after resuming Dobson put in a good run, and finished with a lightning shot, which was only just too high to score. The United then got their first corner, but did no good with it. Campbell ran down, and shot in from the Celtic left terrifically fast, but Lilley got in the way of the ball and saved. The Celts had a couple of corners, but they came to nothing. Kelly and Maley did some neat half-back play for the visitors, and play was now even. Dobson made one of his rushes, and again shot only a shade too high. At this time the game was sternly contested, being fast and exciting, both sides striving gamely for the mastery. Hammond with a low fast shot missed the Celtic goal by only a few inches, and directly afterwards by a similar effort the same player beat Cullen, and scored for the Sheffielders, amidst loud applause, 17 minutes after changing ends. The Celts came up with a dash, but Whittam and Cain drove them back, Needham also doing good work continually. The United were nearly scoring again, but the Scottish defence was sound. Dobson broke through again, but was charged at the time of shooting, and the ball missed. Murray and McCann came away, but Cain stopped them.
The Sheffielders were now having the best of the play, and a corner brought about some hot assaults on the Celtic goal. The defenders were not to be beaten, however, and Campbell coming away with a spurt just missed the home goal. The ball was soon back in the visitors' quarters, the Celts, with a stiff breeze against them, now being mainly kept on the defensive. Another corner fell to the Sheffielders, but the wind carried the ball behind. The Celtic goal underwent dangerous attacks as the end grew near, Hammond and Davies both putting in capital shots, which Cullen smartly dealt with. Hammond being hurt, play was stopped for a short time, but the United centre was able to resume. A few minutes later time was called.