VICTORIA UNITED v. PARTICK THISTLE. Taking the chance of a general holiday, the above teams met yesterday in the Victoria Recreation Grounds. There was a large attendance of the public, the weather being very favourable for outdoor sports. The Partick Thistle team was loudly cheered as they came upon the ground. The Victoria United having won the toss Watson kicked off, and had a splendid run up the field from the west goal, which the Aberdeen men chose to defend, and kept the ball going till halfway up the field, Leggat passing admirably. The Partick men again invaded, and the Vics had to concede a corner, a foul being afterwards given against the Partick. A good shot from the Thistle went over the goal. The Vics pressed for a few minutes, some fine passing being done by Watson and Leggat. The Thistle left wing then invaded and Gray failing to reach it, the first goal was obtained by the strangers after ten minutes’ play. On the kick-off the blues invaded, and one of the Thistles put the ball out. From the throw-in Leggat secured the ball, but it was immediately put out again. A good shot from Robertson was saved by the Thistle backs. The Thistle then invaded, and Gray was again tried, but the ball was put behind. The backs of the Vics played a fine game. A fine pass from Watson started a good run for the Vics, shared in by Leggat and Watt. On the Thistle attempting to invade, the ball was again put behind, Gray, the Vics goalkeeper, saving in splendid style. A dangerous attack of the Thistle was splendidly saved by Ingram, the Glasgow men exhibited some fine passing, their centre half-back’s play evoking great applause. The Partick Thistle seemed bent on playing a fast game and showing splendid shooting, while Gray of the Vics saved goal after goal. A fine run for the Vics was spoiled by Watt handling the ball. Some rare passing the length of the field was finished by Robertson heading the ball over the bar. A foul at nearly half-time given against the Vics, which was not claimed, aroused great excitement amongst the spectators, and immediately after a foul was given for the Vics, which Simpson at midfield kicked through without being touched. Close on this, another foul was given against the Thistle; a good run by the Thistle was stopped by two of the Vics backs rolling over. The Vics pressed very hard, and several times carried the ball to within a few feet of their opponents’ goal. A throw-in for the Thistle right into the goal was well saved by Campbell; and after the kick-off Watson had a fine run up the field. A throw-in at the corner looked dangerous for the Vics, but was well saved by Kirkland. At this stage of the game the Thistle pressed the Vics very closely, Gray cleverly saving a goal, though a corner had to be conceded. This was repeated twice in succession, shot after shot being saved in a marvellous manner. Some pretty short passing from mid-field brought another goal for the Thistle. Paul, the centre forward for the Thistle, played a splendid game, while McCorkindale, the Thistle’s goalkeeper did his team excellent service. The Vics, pressed very close, and half-time the score stood: – Partick Thistle, 2 goals; Victoria United, 0. On play being resumed, from the kick-off the Vics at once invaded, but a miss from one of theor left backs forced Gray to concede a corner. The Vics then secured the ball, and sent it to McCorkindale’s hands several time. The Vics then made a most determined attack, but the south team’s goalkeeper seemed to be well up to his work, and kept the ball well out. Paul, the centre forward of the Thistle’s, who by the way is an internationalist, had then several fine shots, but the Vics, who now played much better than in the first half, kept their own. The Vics attacked again and again, sending in shot after shot which aroused the enthusiasm of the spectators. From a fist out by McCorkindale, Paul secured the ball and had a beautiful dribbling run the length of the field. The Partick Thistle again pressing, Drummond had a fine run on the left, and the Vics had to concede a corner. Proudfoot of the Thistle secured the ball and passing it on to Paul they had an exciting run up the field, the ball being put in behind. A splendid long shot from Johnston from mid-field was saved by Gray, who was loudly cheered by the Glasgow men who witnessed the game. The ball was now sent in time after time by the Thistle but Gray kept them from doing damage. At this stage the ball was passed by Watt, and Proudfoot, the left back of the Thistle, coming into collision, the latter fell and twisted his ankle. Dr. Soroggie happened to be on the ground, and his injuries, which were not of a serious nature, were attended to. Play was only delayed a few minutes, one of the half-backs of the Thistle dropping back and taking Proudfoot’s position. The Thistle pressed again for some time, but the ball was returned, a foul throw being shortly afterwards given against the Thistle. The ball remained in mid-field for some time, Paul showing some splendid passing. A fine run by the Thistle resulted in the ball striking the centre of the bar. After a determined attack by the south team the ball was sent behind and the Vics had to concede a corner. A splendid run by Watson and Leggat finished up by the Thistle’s left back kicking out. Although both teams played very hard for some time, neither scored a goal, and at the close the game stood: – Partick Thistle, 2 goals; Victoria United, 0.
Aberdeen Journal, Friday, 3rd January, 1890
