The Thistle Archive

These teams met at Stoke-on-Trent, to play a friendly match, in front of several hundreds of spectators. The Scotchmen won the toss, and elected to kick off against a slight wind. The ball was at once taken into Stoke territory, but it was immediately returned, and for the next quarter of an hour play was carried on in the visitors ground, the home team making several good shots for goal. They failed, however, to break through the defence, and their opponents one more getting the leather well in hand, a clever bit of passing resulted in the Stoke citadel being threatened; but the shot proved futile. From the goal kick which ensued Stoke again managed to get hold of the ball, and, rushing it up the field, they scored after twenty five minutes’ play. From now until half-time was called the game was in favour of Stoke, who, though several times within an ace of scoring, were unable to increase their account. On changing ends the Scotchmen played with great dash, but they were unable to prevent the home forwards from getting the leather between the uprights after twenty minutes play. From the kick-off the visitors got the leather well away, and within five minutes had obtained their first goal. They now made strenuous efforts to equalise the score, but they failed to do so, Stoke consequently winning by 2 goals to 1.

Birmingham Daily Post, Monday, 4th January, 1886

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