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The Scotsman – Monday, 24th October 1892, page 9
St Mirren v Celtic – Played at Westmarch, Paisley. There was an enormous attendance of spectators present, the largest seen on Westmarch since the same teams met in the first round of the second stage of the Scottish Cup ties last year. The Celtic were fully represented, while the home team tried Strachan, of the Saltcoats Victoria, in the centre. The Saints winning the toss, played with the breeze behind them, and coming away on the left forced Cullen to concede a corner. Working their way down the strangers made a plucky effort to close in, and with some fluky kicking on the part of the home defence, they looked like scoring. The Saints, however, repelled the attack, and forced the Celtic back on their own goal, but stubborn saving on the part of Doyle and Reynolds prevented the home team from reaching the desired haven. Breaking away, the strangers made another determined attack, and in spite of all the efforts put forth by the home team to keep them off, the Celtic through Madden, registered the first point. A minute later Campbell had a splendid opportunity of increasing the score, but recklessly shot high over the bar. A very pretty piece of play by Campbell, Mulvey and Madden again brought the leather within shooting distance of Patrick. Two corners fell to the strangers, but the home backs easily cleared. For fully fifteen minutes play was very even on both sides, both custodians being called on on several occasions to defend their charge. Just on the call of half-time the Saints tried hard to get on level terms with their opponents, but the Celtic back division frustrated all their attempts, and half-time arrived with the strangers leading by one goal to nothing. Immediately on starting the second half, Cullen saved a swift shot from Brash, and at the other end Patrick one from Blessington. It was seen that both teams meant business, for they at once settled down to close passing. The game became very exciting as the Celtic pressed round the home defenders and after two or three unsuccessful attempts, Campbell beat Patrick for a second time. Nettled at this success, the home forwards delighted their supporters by some grand work before Cullen, but beat him they could not. Doyle, relieved with a strong kick, and Madden and Blessington joining in, carried the leather down the field, but had to give way to McBain. Following up that player’s kick, the home team outwitted the Celtic defence, and Cullen leaving his charge to turn aside a shot from McLean, Strachan rushed in and sent the ball through the uprights. A minute later a shot from the same player rebounded off the cross-bar back into play again. Shortly afterwards the Celtic gained a corner, and Maley placing the ball at the goal-mouth, Blessington headed it through. Towards the close the home side tried to make progress, but could not, and one of the fastest games seen on Westmarch ended in favour of the Celtic by three goals to one.
Celtic Team:-
Scorers:- Madden, Campbell, Blessington