Match Report – 22/12/1888

SOUTHPORT CENTRAL v. LYTHAM.

Lancashire Evening Post 22nd December 1888

Played at Southport, before a large attendance The wind blew across the ground. Fisher kicked off for Lytham. The Central’s play showed a great falling off, their defence, passing and shooting being weak. Parker, the Lytham goalkeeper, defended splendidly, while, at the opposite end, Whiteside, the centre half-back, scored 10 minutes from the start, and Fisher, the centre, 10 minutes later. The teams crossed over with Lytham leading by two goals.

In the second half Lytham scored from a corner, and Sourbutts scored the first for the Central.

Result LYTHAM 3, CENTRAL 1.

CENTRAL v LYTHAM

Southport Visiter, 24th December 1888

These teams met on the Sports Ground on Saturday last, before large number of spectators. During the first half the home team defended the Railway goal. Fisher commenced operations, and a visit was at once paid to the home team quarters. Aitken, however, relieved the pressure and play was transferred to the other end, where Parker was called upon to use his hands, which he did with excellent judgment. Not to be denied, the Central continued to press, but their shooting was not very good, and when they were pas in the right direction, the goalkeeping of Parker so good that he always averted disaster. The visiting forwards then got to work in a determined manner and rushed up the field, Whiteside eventually scoring with a swift shot. After the kick of the visiters had slightly the best of the play, and Fisher added another goal before ends were changed. After brief rest play was resumed, but the Central were not seen to advantage, and seemed to lack their usual combination. A corner was gained by Lytham, and the ball being well puts in, after a scrimmage of a moment’s duration it was rushed through. After these reverses the home team wakened up, and Graham, getting possession, made grand dribble, threading his way through the reck of his opponents, and eventually passed to Sourbutts, who rushed the ball through. From now till the conclusion of the match the Central had all the best of the play, but they could not increase their score, and the game terminated in a win for Lytham by three goals to one. The score does not by any means indicate the nature of the play, as Ingram had only four shots sent in and of that number he let three go past. There is some excuse for him, however, as he has not entirely recovered from the injuries he received at Hindley. Parker, the Lytham goalkeeper, had at least twelve shots to repel, and the visiters have to thank him for his brilliant display, for had such not been the case they would have suffered a heavy defeat. The following were the teams:- Lytham: Parker, Scobell, Smith, Rostron, Whiteside, Parkinson, Candlish, Moore, Smith, Blackburn, and Fisher. Central: Ingram, Aitken, Thompson, Lea-Jones, Horton, Ackroyd, Mullin, Graham, Taylor, Sourbutts and McKecknie.