PARTICK THISTLE v. ANGUS (FORFAR).–The Partick Thistle, after fulfilling their engagement with the Strathmore, Dundee, on Monday, journeyed to Forfar yesterday to play the Angus. The match took place in a field at Bankhead in the presence of a large concourse of spectators. The reputation which the visitors bear among the premier Scottish football clubs led many who do not often patronise football to expect a good exhibition of passing and dribbling, and in this they were not disappointed. The Angus captain won the toss and elected to play from the west goal, but no advantage was gained by this step, as the ground was in capital condition, and not a breath of wind to mar the play. The strangers kicked off, and for a few minutes the home club held the advantage; but the Thistle soon asserted their superiority, and their left wing players nearly succeeded in lowering the home fortress by smartly heading the ball into the goal. The goalkeeper, however, struck the ball out, and after some equal play in Forfar territory, Angus got hold of the leather, and by a combined rush succeeded in taking the ball into the enemy’s quarters, where they obtained a corner kick. Cook placed the ball nicely through the posts, but the leather not having been touched by any other player no goal resulted. The strangers playing a close passing game were not long in changing the scene of operations to the other end, where, after a stout defence, they succeeded in scoring the first goal. Not to be denied, they soon returned, and obtained a corner kick. The ball was well placed, but Cook broke away and had a run nearly from one end of the field to the other before he was robbed of the leather by the opposing backs. For this piece of play he was deservedly cheered, as also was Samson a little later for a similar run on the right wing. The game during the remainder of the first forty-five was, with one or two exceptions, entirely confined to the Forfar territory, the excellent dribbling and passing of the strangers completely baffling the forwards. The back play of the strangers, however, of the home team was excellent, whilst the goalkeeping was all that could be desired. Such an exhibition indeed at the goal has never before been witnessed in Forfar, and Donaldson, the custodian, was enthusiastically cheered for the way in which he saved his charge when its’ downfall seemed imminent. Half-time arrived without further change to the score and ends were changed. The Forfar team, playing with greater dash, commenced the attack. The pressure was continued for some time, but the strangers gradually asserted themselves, and invaded Angus territory, where the ball went behind. The local players retaliated by making an incursion into the Thistle territory, but without result, and the strangers in turn invaded the Angus quarters, from whence they did not retire until they had scored a second time by forcing the ball through the goal in a scrimmage. The home players made several attempts to break away, but were unsuccessful, and a shot from the stranger’s right wing reduced their citadel for the third time. The Thistle still continued to pin their opponents, until the Angus right wing came away, and the ball having been passed to the left, Samson put in a shot which the goalkeeper threw out, but one of the strangers unfortunately kicked the ball back into his own goal, and Buchan rushing up in time scored the first and only goal for the home club. Nettled by this unlooked for reverse, the Thistle were soon at their opponents’ goal, which they succeeded in reducing for the fourth time. The local players, encouraged by their unhoped for success, now played much harder, and again invaded their opponents’ end, but they were forced to retire, and a mis-kick by one of the home team resulted in the strangers placing the ball between the uprights, but the goal was disallowed, on the plea of offside. No further advantage was gained by either team, and a very pleasant game resulted in favour of the Thistle by four goals to one. The close passing and dribbling of the Glasgow forwards was much admired, as also was the excellent tackling and kicking of the backs. The Angus forwards were completely overmatched, but the backs played a good defensive game. The goalkeeper, however, carried off the honours, his activity when hard pressed gaining him the plaudits of the spectators. In the evening, both teams had supper together in Petrie’s Hotel, East High Street, when a pleasant evening was spent.
Dundee Courier and Argus, Wednesday, 4th January, 1882
