Match Report – Southport Visiter – 03/10/1888

Lostock Hall (1st) v Southport Central Swifts – Those yet unbeaten Swifts journeyed on Saturday last to Lostock Hall to meet the redoubtable club of that name. Many were there prognostications of pseudo-profits as to the unfavorableness of the result of the match for Southport, but the predictions of these self constituted seers happily lacked practical verification. Rimmer again winning the toss chose to play uphill against the wind. In kicking off, the home centre passed to the outside left, who, after racing down the field, centred beautifully and a goal was headed through a few seconds after the start. This woke up the Swifts who began to really play, and as a consequence got in several good shots at Lostock’s goal, none however taking effect until about twenty minutes play, when Brighouse headed the ball through. The Lostock men, playing now with an amount of dash, put into Guest’s hands a couple of shots in quick succession. A scrimmage in front of goal resulted in a fast low shot scoring for Lostock. Shortly after, the ball burst. Another having been secured, the game was resumed, but no further score was registered up to half time. In the second half the Swifts, with a tolerably stiff wind and the slope to aid them, commenced to press, and in a few minutes equalised. Once Lostock broke away, and a goal looked likely, but Guest cleared. Although Southport were playing well nothing further was registered, the game coming to a forced conclusion by reason of the second ball also giving up the ghost. But for this unfortunate circumstance finishing the match twenty minutes before time, instead of an unsatisfactory draw, it is very likely the Swifts could have boasted of a victory. Team:- Guest, goal; Baxter and walmsley, backs; Rimmer, Blundell and Evans, halfbacks; Brighouse, Hibbs, Pasquill, Blackledge and Forshaw, forwards.