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Celtic Games 1891 – Dumbarton
Trivia
- Played at Celtic Park, Glasgow.
- Before no fewer than 10,000 spectators.
Review
The Scotsman – Monday, 13th April 1891, page 5
Celtic v Dumbarton – This important League fixture attracted a specially large crowd to Parkhead. The weather was beautiful, and the teams were strongly represented, Kelly reappearing in the Celtic eleven. Celtic kicked off, but Dumbarton, with the wind, got first over. The Dumbarton began smarter, but the Celtic had closer tries. The pace was exceptionally fast. The right wings on both sides were showing best. Kelly’s centre play was superb, and again drew unstinting applause. The fast play of the start was not kept up. In twenty-five minutes the Celtic left finished a run up the left with a smart goal. The Celtic were at this point outplaying the League leaders, while Dumbarton were not showing the irresistible form expected. Their attempts at goal were weak. A lot was lost to each side by over-anxiety. At half-time the Celtic led by one goal to nothing. Dumbarton had the best of the opening exchanges. The pace was slower, and the Celtic gradually forged ahead, but Dumbarton drove them back and attacked. They narrowly missed scoring. Then McLeod was tried severely, and came off successfully. McLeod had again a spell of saving work. Dumbarton scored, but the point was disallowed. For a time Dumbarton refused to proceed and were for leaving the field, but the advice of their friends prevailed, and ultimately play was restarted. Result :- Celtic, one goal; Dumbarton, nil.
Teams
Celtic:-
Bell, Reynolds, McKeown, P Gallagher, Kelly, W Maley, Madden, McGhee, Dowds, McMahon, Campbell.
Goal:- McMahon.
Dumbarton:-
McLeod, Watson, Miller, McMillan, Boyle, Keir, Taylor, Galbraith, Wilson, McNaught. Bell.
Att:- 10,000.
Articles
- Report
Newspaper report from the time.
Locally the most important match on Saturday was this League fixture. The Celtic, having lost the toss, had the disadvantage of the sunshine in their faces. Dowds kicked off, and a foul gave Dumbarton a chance, but the ball went over the lines. Dowds again got on the ball, and to a long shot, McLeod had to use his hands, but he was equal to the occasion. McMahon and Campbell began a fine run, and the latter looked like scoring when he was tripped. The free kick, although near goal, was of no avail. The same pair were at it again, however, and a corner kick was the result. Maley got a good chance to score, but with the sun in his eyes he sent the ball over the bar. bell made a good run, but when within shooting distance was ruled offside. For pushing Bell, a foul was given against Reynolds, and this gave Dumbarton an opportunity; but Kelly, as usual, averted danger. The Celtic forwards again took up the running, and Watson,of Dumbarton, being pressed, passed back to Miller, but this player's kick out was too feeble; and McMahon, toeing the ball smartly, sent it past McLeod, the leather striking Kerr on it's way through. The first goal thus fell to the Celtic after 25 minutes' play. The Dumbarton forwards playing in better style, their front rank got round the Celtic goal, but Taylor shot too soon, and sent the ball over the bar. Towards the close of this half, the forwards on both sides showed their power, and the best play of the game so far was witnessed, but the defence of each side was strong, and the first portion of the game closed one to nothing in favour of the Celtic team.
After ends were changed, two corners fell to the Celtic. The visitors then broke away, but the ball was run over the lines. After a splendid piece of playing on the part of Bell, the Dumbarton left winger, he sent the ball wildly past the goalmouth. Brilliant play followed between the Celtic forwards and the Dumbarton defenders, in which the latter proved successful in clearing at a most critical moment. A series of bad misses by the Celtic let the Dumbarton men in, and playing in magnificent style they almost succeeded in scoring the goal on one occasion having a very narrow shave. A hot attack on McLeod let that custodian show his abilities, and it took him all his time to avert the downfall of his goal, but his coolness stood him in good stead. Another corner fell to the Celtic, but Bell, on the left, broke away, and open play ensued. A hard low shot from Boyle of Dumbarton was just stopped by the Celtic in time, and another from Keir went over the bar by inches. McMahon missed a good chance at the other end. A corner to Dumbarton, however, very nearly caused a change in the game. The kick was well placed, and after the ball had passed about a little among the men round the goal, Bell put it through, but he was ruled offside. For a time Dumbarton refused to proceed and were for leaving the field, but the advice of their friends prevailed, and ultimately play was restarted. No alteration was made on the score in the second half, and the game ended:- Celtic, 1 goal; Dumbarton, 0.
Stats
| Team | Played | Win | Lost | Drew | For | Ag | Pts |
| Dumbarton | 15 | 11 | 1 | 3 | 51 | 14 | 25 |
| Rangers | 15 | 11 | 1 | 3 | 48 | 20 | 25 |
| Cambuslang | 15 | 7 | 5 | 3 | 41 | 37 | 17 |
| Celtic | 15 | 7 | 4 | 2 | 29 | 13 | 12** |
| Hearts | 13 | 5 | 6 | 2 | 25 | 21 | 12 |
| St Mirren | 16 | 5 | 10 | 1 | 35 | 51 | 11 |
| 3rd LRV | 12 | 4 | 6 | 2 | 24 | 38 | 10 |
| Abercorn | 15 | 4 | 9 | 2 | 34 | 43 | 10 |
| Vale of Leven | 14 | 4 | 9 | 1 | 21 | 49 | 9 |
| Cowlairs | 14 | 2 | 9 | 3 | 19 | 39 | 3** |
| Renton* |
- *Renton were expelled from the Scottish Football Association on September 30th, and consequently their matches will lapse.
- **Four points were deducted from the Celtic and Cowlairs records for infringement of rules.
Dumbarton's Protest
16th April 1891
From a newspaper report.
Dumbarton's Protest – The Scottish Football League Committee were called together on Wednesday night in Glasgow to consider a protest from Dumbarton, who claimed that the referee in their League match with Celtic last Saturday erred in disallowing a goal scored by Bell, whom he adjudged offside. After consideration the matter was unanimously dismissed.
