Match Report – Southport Visiter 15/11/1881

Southport v Bootle (2^nd) (Association)

This match was played on Saturday last on the home ground, Scarisbrick New Road, in the presence of a fair number of spectators, and after a well contested game resulted in a draw, each side scoring one goal. Bootle, with the wind at their backs, soon made a rush at the home goal, and after three minutes play scored out of a bully. The ball being kicked off Melross made a good run on the left but with no result the ball going behind. Up to half-time the visitors had several corner kicks and put the ball through once but the goal was disallowed, being offside.
On changing ends and with the wind in their favour the home team who were warming to their work and forgetting the Rugby rules, began to have the best of the game and after some good play by Melross and Jackson, the latter shot a capital goal. The Bootle men nettled at this reverse, pulled themselves together and after some capital runs had several corner kicks but without success. The home team again began to have the best of the play, and after a good run and middle by Melross, Platt made a successful shot, which however was disallowed on a plea of offside. Nothing further resulted up to the call of time.
For the home team, Melross, Howard, Edwards and Platt played best and for Bootle, Kennedy, Bradly and Tetley were most conspicuous. This being the first full match under association rules which the Southportonians have played they must be congratulated on the form shown, and when they get over the difficulty of keeping “hands off”, they will no doubt render a good account of themselves. They had to pay the penalty for this on Saturday, the visitors securing a great number of free kicks.

(Southport Visiter – 15^th November 1881)