| Matches: 1891 | 1892 | 1888-1919 Pictures | League Tables: 1891-92 |
Trivia
- Scottish Cup Tie, played at Westmarch, Paisley.
- Before 4,000 spectators.
- One St Mirren was unimpressed with Celtic’s followers, later writing to a newspaper to complain about bad language
Review
The Scotsman – Monday, 30th November 1891, page 10
Celtic v St Mirren —At Westmarch, Paisley. Considering the circumstances there was a large attendance of spectators. The game was commenced by the visitors, who had the breeze in their favour. They immediately ran up the field and secured a corner, which, however, proved fruitless. The St Mirren next had a look in, but, they were caught up, and Madden sent in a shot which struck the cross-bar and rebounded into play. The home forwards had a nice run down, but they were again sent back to their own ground, and experienced difficulty in warding off the attacks of their opponents, who were several times rather unfortunate in not securing a goal, so narrow were some of the shots which they sent in. However, the Saints were also having some opportunities of scoring, and of one of these they took advantage, a neatly-placed shot by Douglas enabling Kinloch to slip the ball through. The ground was in a very soft condition, and the players often fell just at a critical moment. After a while the Celtic appeared to settle down into excellent form, and maintained pressure for almost the whole of the remainder of this half. McCallum, Madden, and Brady each secured a point to their team, and another which bounded off one of the home backs brought up their total in this half to four. Half-time was called, with the Saints three goals down. The second half saw the home team in much better form, and they scored the only point in this division, though the Celts were pIaying equally well. On several occasions, both goals seemed in imminent danger. Result :- Celtic, four; Saints, two.
Teams
St Mirren:-
Fleming, J McFarlane, R McFarlane, McCartney, Brown, R McBain, Kinloch, Wylie, Douglas, Dunlop, Hamilton
Goals:- Kinloch 15, Douglas
Celtic:-
Dolan, Reynolds, Doyle, Maley, Kelly, Dowds, Brady, McCallum, Madden, McMahon, Campbell
Goals:- Madden, McFarlane og 30, Maley, McMahon.
Ref:-
Att:- 4,000.
Articles
- Match Report (See Below)
Pictures
- Match Pictures
Articles
Match Report
The Glasgow Herald, 30th November 1891, page 10
SPECIAL NOTES ON SPORTS
The ties in the first round of the final stage of the National Cup competition were played throughout the country on Saturday afternoon, and with one or two exceptions, they turned out pretty much as expected. There were fifteen matches in all, two of the principal games being at Paisley, where the Queen’s Park just managed to beat the Abercorn by three goals to two and the Celtic the St Mirren by four goals to two. The play of the Queen’s was disappointing, and had there been another quarter of an hour to go the Abercorn, who had been well trained for the occasion, would have run the premier club hard for victory. The St Mirren offered the Celtic a much more stubborn resistance than had been anticipated, and are to be congratulated on the form they displayed….
ST MIRREN v CELTIC:- These league clubs met in their Scottish Cup Tie at Westmarch, Paisley. There were fully 4,000 spectators present.
In the first half the Celts had the wind in their favour. They soon crowded in front of Fleming, and he and his backs were kept busy. A foul was given against Kelly for bringing down Douglas. It appeared a fine chance for St Mirren , but the ball was returned.
The St Mirren men were not quite done, and down they bore on Dolan.
It was their first direct attack on goal, but it was a successful one, as Kinloch, from a pass from the centre, scored the first goal of the match after 15 minutes’ play. The rear division of the home side was playing with great confidence, though the ground undoubtedly spoiled the kicking of the backs. Brown saved several times very cleverly, and was frequently assisting the rear line.
At last Madden, with a deceiving shot equalised. The Celts now forced matters, and gave their opponents no time to steady, but kept ploughing into goal in the most approved fashion. A break-away on the St Mirren left caused the Celtic some uneasiness, more especially when a corner resulted. No damage was done, and once more the play raged in the vicinity of Fleming.
An exciting bit of play ensued, and the ball rebounding off McFarlane, went right through the goal, when the game was half-an-hour old. This second success of the Celts was a bit lucky. During the last five minutes of this half the Celts secured other 2 goals – one by Maley and one by McMahon; and when they crossed over they were leading by 4 to 1.
With the wind at their backs in the second half it was naturally expected the ground men would make amends for their poor exhibition in the preceding portion of the game. These hopes were realised, for on resuming they commenced to visit the Celtic territory more frequently, and, for the first time during the game, the play could be designated as open.
When they got within range the St Mirren shot with great strength, but the Celts were equal to their attacks. The play was thoroughly interesting at this stage, and a vast improvement came over St Mirren. There was life in every action, and spirited movement in front.
Douglas took advantage of a splendid opening, and Dolan was beat with a fast shot. From the way the Saints were crowding amongst the Celtic defenders it was hoped by their supporters that they would still further lessen the lead against them. But in this they failed. The Celts played equally hard, and the respective back divisions got keen work to do.
An exciting but not brilliant game ended – Celtic, 4; St Mirren, 2.
