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Celtic Games 1890 – Dumbarton
Trivia
- Both teams protested about the condition of the ground before kick-off.
- Scottish Cup , Quarter-Final
- Played at Boghead Park, Dumbarton.
- Before 10,000.
- In an earlier Scottish Cup tie v Larkhall Royal Albert: After a Larkhall player named Frame fouled Celtic player Johnny Madden, Tom Maley (the linesman!) punched Mr Frame! There were just 2 policeman at the match to quell any trouble, and after a struggle they managed to deal with the subsequent pitch invasion, but following subsequent thuggery on and off the pitch, the referee was compelled to abandon the first game which Celtic were winning 4-0. A replay was ordered and Celtic won that 2-0, played at Ibrox!
Review
At Dumbarton, where the local club and the Celtic had to play off their tie in the Scottish Cup, the referee held that the ground was in condition for play, although the teams protested before stepping on the field. There was a large crowd present, and the greatest interest was taken in the match. Although Dumbarton scored early in the first half, the Celts had decidedly the best of it.
In the second half, however, the Celtic defence could not resist the dashing form of the Dumbarton forwards, who scored other two goals, and won rather easily by three goals to nil. Bell, the left winger of Dumbarton, played a grand game, and he is clearly one of the finest players in Scotland. The failure of the Celtic to realise the hopes of the supporters will probably lead to a reorganisation of the team. There are some splendid men in the reserves (who have an unbeaten record and an extraordinary number of goals to their credit), and the likelihood is that some of them will be drafted into the ranks of the first eleven, which requires strengthening.
Teams
Dumbarton:-
McLeod, Watson, Millar, McMillan, Boyle, Keir, Taylor, Galbraith, Mair, McNaught, Bell.
Goals:- Mair 1, Mair 55, Bell 75.
Celtic:-
Bell, Reynolds, McKeown, P Gallagher, Kelly, McLaren, Madden, Dunbar, Dowds, Campbell, Crossan.
Att:- 10,000.
Ref:- Mr Dunn (Cambuslang)
Articles
- Match Report (See Below)
- Official Site
Pictures
- Match Pictures
From newspaper reports from the time.
Report 1
The Scotsman – Monday, 22nd December 1890, page 10
Dumbarton v Celtic – This tie was played at Boghead, Dumbarton, before a large crowd. The ground had been cleared of the snow, and during the forenoon bills were put out intimating that the referee had declared the ground playable and that the tie would be played. Both teams, however, protested before the game started. The Celts kicked off, but Dumbarton immediately collared the ball. Taylor carried it up the right and centring at the proper moment, Mair got hold, and dodging McKeown, sent the ball flying past Bell amid deafening cheers. The Celts got down on Dumbarton’s goal, but McLeod saved very cleverly. Dowds attempted to get in again, but he was given off-side, and then Madden shot softly. The home lads broke off again and the ball went bobbling up and down between the ground and the Celts' goal bar until Bell got his fist on it. Play continued fast and fairly equal, but the defence on both sides was equal to all calls made on them. The rough element was pretty prevalent, too. Gallagher being a special object of the referees attention; while Keir’s liking for Madden’s company brought the two of them into trouble occasionally. At half-time no change had been made on the score, and Dumbarton led by a goal to nothing. The Celtic forwards started the second half in a determined style, but could not effect an opening. Kelly tried one of his famous rushes, but Keir turned him to the right about. Madden had a good deal of the play sent his way, but Leitch Keir was very attentive to the old Dumbarton winger, and he could make nothing of his opportunities. Dumbarton’s forwards were playing a spirited game, and Mair finished up a fine rum by scoring a beautiful goal. McLeod had to play all he knew to clear a rush by the Celts, and he was successful. Bell began to show some of his real form, and after executing a fine run he sent through a third point. The same player shortly after headed another goal, but it was disallowed for off-side. Shortly before the finish a spectator quarrelled with one of the Celts, and a number rushed on to the field. The police and officials got the ground cleared, however, and the game was finished. Nothing further was done and the Dumbarton thus won the game by three goals to none. The Celts played part of the second half without Reynolds, who got injured and had to leave the field.
Report 2
At Boghead, Dumbarton, before a large crowd. The referee declared the ground playable, but both teams protested before starting play.
Dowds kicked off, but Dumbarton carried the ball right down, and Mair banged it past Bell. McLeod had then to save an attack of the Celts forwards, which he did very cleverly. Dowds looked like getting in, but he was given offside, and from the kick Bell missed an easy chance at the other end.
The home forwards made a determined arrack on the Celts’ goal, and a second goal seemed imminent, but Bell cleared in the nick of time. Gallagher and Keir were both penalised for rough play. A free kick near Dumbarton’s goal looked dangerous, but a “hand” off one of the greens neutralised the advantage.
Dowds made a splendid try, but his shot was coolly met by Millar. Bell had a brilliant run all by himself, and put in a rare long shot, which the Celt’s custodian had some difficulty in getting rid of. McLeod was then severely tested, but he did his work well, and in a twinkling the leather was over the Celt’s lines.
Half-time – Dumbarton, 1; Celtic 0
Both teams restarted well, and play ruled fast. Kelly tried one of his famous rushes, but Dumbarton’s halfs closed round him and dispossessed him of the ball. Dumbarton had many favourable chances, but were very slow to shoot.
Mair at last made a good try from well out, and had the satisfaction of beating Bell a second time.
Shortly after Reynolds got injured and had to be carried off. Bell made a good run, and, beating Gallagher and McKeown, had no difficulty in sending the ball past his namesake. The same player headed another goal, and Galbraith slipped one in too, but both were disallowed.
Dumbarton had most of the play towards the end of the game, but did not improve on their score. Shortly before time two or three score of spectators rushed on the field to stop the game, but the police and officials got them put off, and the game was finished.
Result – Dumbarton, 3; Celtic, 0.
Celtic Games 1891 – Dumbarton Cup Protest
The Scotsman – Wednesday, 7th January 1891, page 5
Scottish Football Association – The General Committee of the Scottish Football Association met in their rooms, Waterloo Street, Glasgow, last night . . .
The Celtic's protest was next taken up. The grounds of protest were practically the same as the Leith Athletic's — unplayability of the ground. The referee. Mr Dunn, Cambuslang, was in attendance. and gave it as his opinion that the ground was playable after the snow had been cleared. On the consideration that both clubs had protested, it was moved that the protest be sustained, and on a vote the numbers were equal— six each. The chairman gave his casting vote against the protest being sustained and it was accordingly dismissed. Some strong things were said regarding Dumbarton’s action in lodging and then withdrawing their protest but nothing definite was done.
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