Match Report – Southport Visiter – 08/09/1888

On Saturday last most of the principal clubs got into working order and then a good many instances the members proved that they have not deteriorated in any respect through want of practice. This was not the case however with the new organisation as in their encounter with Stanley a good many of the men was sadly out of form. We were present at the match and are of the opinion that the score by no means represented the true state of the game as the locals in many instances had very hard lines. When the match commenced a large number of spectators were present and considerable excitement was evinced. During the first half of the match the visitors succeeded in placing three goals to their credit and as each side secured a goal in the second half Stanley were declared the victors by three goals. As we have previously stated this should not have been the result had not the Central had the hardest of luck. This was particularly the case in the second half, D.Graham and Lea-Jones being the most unfortunate in not scoring. Most of the committee attended to witness the display and we have every reason to believe that they are thoroughly satisfied with the new blood imported and are confident that in a few weeks they will play a most scientific and combined game. This afternoon there will be great excitement on the Sports Ground when the following teams face each other – Central: Tyldesley, goal; Walsh and Aitken, backs; Taylor, Horton and Ackroyd, half-backs; Duncan, Sourbutts, Lea-Jones, Farrar and Graham, forwards. Old Boys: J.Greenwood, goal; T.Pearson and J.Cleves, backs; W.Parkinson Jr, J.Scowcroft and W.Parkinson (captain), half-backs; G.Thompson, T.Tasker, A.Halsall, H.T.Jones and R.Owen, forwards. As the Old Boys showed capital form last week in their encounter with the Blackburn Olympic reserves the match is sure to be exciting and well worth witnessing.