This New Year’s fixture was played off on East Dock Street Park, Dundee, yesterday before a rather meagre muster of spectators. The Harp experienced some difficulty in raising a team, and it was at one time proposed not to proceed with the game, but latterly a scratch eleven was organised, and the match was started upwards of half-an-hour late. The Harp kicked off towards the South goal, and, the ball being collared by the Thistle forwards, McLeod succeeded in notching their first point before the game was many minutes old. The Harp then had a look in, but it was short lived, and, the Partick players again making tracks down the field, Drummond, from a fine centre from the right wing, added another point. The Thistle continued to keep the ball well within their opponents’ territory, an after the lapse of about five minutes Clark scored goal No. 3. From the kick-off the Harp made a smart run up the field, and Hill sent in a capital shot, which was, however, withheld by McCorkindale. Another attempt was made to lower the visitors’ colours, but a foul emabled the Thistle to break away, and after a well-combined run McLeod notched their fourth point, which was followed a minute later by Clark. The Harp then broke away, and, getting within range of the opposing uprights, were shaping towards scoring when Burke sent the ball over the bar. A period of rather uninteresting play followed, and then Murray relieved the monotony by a piece of smart play on the right wing, centring the ball right into the front of goal, only, however, to be sent behind. The visitors then made a rush down the field, and were rewarded with a sixth point. The “wearers of the green” strove hard to make up the leeway, and a severe scrimmage ensued at the visitors goal, McCorkindale coming to the rescue just in the nick of time, and the ball being afterwards sent behind. The Thistle, from the kick-off, again encroached on their opponents’ ground, but no further scoring was effected up to half-time, when the figures therefore stood: – Partick Thistle, 6; Harp, 0. At the start of the second half the Harp secured a foul, and attacked the visitors uprights. But the left wing of the Thistle, getting hold of the ball, carried it swiftly to the other end, where a corner was secured, but to no advantage. Several runs and counter runs followed, and then the Partick men made a determined attempt to pierce their opponents’ goal, but the defence held good, and the Harp, breaking away, put McCorkindale on his mettle. The Thistle retaliated. And eventually Robertson, with a swift shot, succeeded in again baffling Traynor, who took the place of Murphy in goal in the second half. Both teams continued to play a hard game, but the visitors maintained the superiority, and added three other points to their total. Shortly before the call of time Judge succeeded in notching the first and only point for the Harp. The game therefore ended: – Partick Thistle, 10; Harp, 1.
Dundee Courier and Argus, Thursday, 2nd January, 1890
Murphy
Traynor
