| Matches: 1893 1894 | 1887-1900 | League Tables: 1893-94 | Forum |
Trivia
- 5000 spectators witnessed this League match
Review
As the result of discarding fanciful work for sound, practical football the Celtic in their League match with St Bernards scored a substantial victory. They played a go-ahead game, and were most successful at goal. Saturday’s display, in fact, was one of the best, if not the best, they have treated their follower to this season. Though their play was vigorous, it did not lack embellishment.
McMahon was very fine all through, and his shooting was something like what it used to be. St Bernards appeared to be a little excited; at any rate they were less vigorous in attack than we have seen them, while the defence was faulty at times.
Teams
Celtic –
Cullen, Reynolds, Doyle, *Montgomery, Kelly, Dunbar, Madden, Blessington, Cassidy, McMahon, Campbell.
*Montgomery was an alias used by Willie Maley
Goals:- Cassidy 30, Madden, McMahon 55, McMahon, McMahon 85.
St Bernards:-
Lindsey, Arnott, Foyers, Sibbald, McNab, Murdoch, Oswald, Scott, Laing, Crossan, Brady.
Goals:- Crossan 31, Crossan 75.
Att:- 5,000. (8,000 – Essential History)
Articles
- Match Report (See Below)
- Official Site
Pictures
- Match Pictures
Report 1
From a Newspaper report from the time
The Scotsman – Monday, 16th October 1893, page 5
CELTIC v ST BERNARDS – The St Bernards completed the first half of their League fixtures on Saturday at Parkhead, where they were defeated by the Celtic by five goals to two. Fully 5000 spectators witnessed the match. Baird was still unable to take his place in the St Bernards’ ranks, but McNab filled the vacancy with distinction. The Celtic forwards opened strongly, getting numerous corners right away. Though Arnott and Foyers were not playing up to reputation, they ultimately contrived, with the assistance of Lindsay, who at this tie kept a splendid goal to beat off the attack, and despite some grand half-back play on the Celtic part, the St Bernards got away and forced a corner off Reynolds. Doyle saved, ad immediately thereafter Oswald was penalised for off-side when in a grand position. Scott then had a try, his shot just missing the uprights. Very soon, however, the Celts again asserted themselves and, mainly by the brilliant half-back play of Kelly, they seldom allowed the Saints to get clear away. Doyle, too, was in grand form, and in addition to tackling strongly, he made a splendid attempt to capture Lindsay’s charge from about mid-field. Again the play assumed an equal nature, and had the St Bernards’ forwards been a little more cautious they would have scored. A brilliant run by M’Mahon and Campbell go the ball right in front of Lindsay. A corner was conceded, and, from a nicely-placed bal, Cassidy secured the first goal for the Celtic. In a minute the game was equalised. Crossan and Brady got the ball from the kick-off, and after dribbling round Reynolds, they ran right in, and, with the aid of Oswald, who bustled Doyle, Cullen was easily beaten. But just after the Celt’s again took the lead. Madden got away strongly on the right, and outwitting all opposition he scored with a splendid low shot amid great enthusiasm. The score at half-time was two to one in the Celtic favour. Both goals had narrow escapes on the game being restarted. For a time it looked as though the St Bernards would again draw level, a low shot by Brady being luckily saved by Cullen. The Celtic forwards soon reasserted themselves, however, the left wing pair treating the spectators to really brilliant play. Sibbald stuck to his men as best he could, but was clearly outplayed, and a third and fourth goal were added to the Celtic total. Matters were going badly with the Saints now, so well did the Celtic forwards manipulate the ball. Scott, however, missed a few likely chances by rash play, and it was not until the ball went to the left that the Saints by Crossan got a fine second point. The Celtic replied with a fifth, which put the issue out of doubt. Result:- Celtic, five goals; St Bernards, two goals.
Report 2
Before a good attendance on Celtic Park.
The Celtic won the toss, and played with the wind, not a great advantage, however, as it was slight. The Celtic were the first to show to advantage, with a grand run, but Lindsey saved well at a critical moment. The home attacked again, and forced a couple of corners, and they had undoubtedly hard lines in not scoring thus early, as more by luck than anything else Lindsey’s charge escaped downfall.
By a powerful kick Arnott relieved, and the Saints put on some pressure, but were never really dangerous until at length Reynolds conceded a corner, which gave them some advantage.
Doyle was reported to be suffering from a bad knee, but his play was better than has been witnessed for some time, and he defended capitally when pressed. The play was mostly in favour of the Celts, who were displaying unexpectedly good form all round, the forwards combining well and travelling over the ground at a very smart pace.
From about the only real chance Saints had so far, Oswald shot wildly over the bar. The St Bernard’s backs were defending very well, and Arnott was loudly cheered for a grand return.
As the game progressed play became more equal, the Saints forwards displaying good tactics, and once or twice their efforts were almost crowned with success.
After a really fine forward combination the Celtic forwards compelled the Saints backs to concede a corner, from which, after exactly 30 minutes’ play, the first goal was scored. Campbell placed the ball well, and Cassidy headed it through.
The ball had no sooner bee set in motion than the Saints equalised, Crossan scoring a fine goal. Just before the call of half-time the Celts came away in irresistible style, Kelly being prominent, and Lindsey’s goal had a marvellous escape. This burst away by the Celts seemed to put a lot more vigour in the game, and the St Bernard’s emulating the dash of their opponents, were soon at the other end, where Cullen had to look smart in clearing.
Again the Celts romped away, and Madden, single-handed, scored the second goal for his side, amidst intense excitement. He showed grand judgement in warding off his opponents, and getting the Ball through low down at the corner.
At half-time the Celts were leading by two goals to one.
The Saints had the wind in their favour in the second half, but at the outset the Celts went away in great style, and from a pass across the goalmouth by Campbell, the ball was sent through by Blessington, but the goal was disallowed for some reason or other.
The ball travelled rapidly from end-to-end, and the play was really interesting to watch. Cullen fisted away a high shot in grand style, and once more the celts were down on the Saints’ stronghold, where some exciting work was witnessed. Kelly sent in a finely-judged shot, but Lindsey was in his best form and saved well. This remark applies in even a greater degree to Cullen, who was exceedingly watchful and smart to his movements.
After 10 minutes’ play, McMahon scored the third goal for the Celts, the result of severe pressure.
Taken all round, the Celts were showing superior play, even against such redoubtable exponents of the game as the Saints. There was scarcely a dull moment in the game, each side displaying really first-class football.
From a grand run by Campbell and McMahon, the latter scored the fourth goal for the Celts, who had now the game in hand, despite all the energy the Saints could put fourth.
The winning team were playing splendidly all round, and, while the Saints’ defence was good, their forwards were erratic, and lost good chances by bad shooting.
After about 30 minutes Crossan scored the second goal for the Edinburgh men. Five minutes from the close McMahon, by a grand single-handed effort, shot the fifth goal for the Celts, who had simply outplayed their opponents.
The result of one of the finest games this season was – Celtic, 5 goals; St Bernards, 2 goals.
Stats
From wwwlondonhearts.com
