Match Report: Wanderers v Antley (Accrington) – 18/09/1886

The first game played by Southport Wanderers following the “merger” with Southport Football Club at the AGM in June 1886..Thanks to the British Newspaper Archive’s digitisation of the Southport Visiter archives.

WANDERERS V. ANTLEY (ACCRINGTON).

Tuesday 21 September 1886 – Southport Visiter

The opening game of the Wanderers took place on their new ground in Scarisbrick New-road, on Saturday last. before a moderate attendance of spectator. The home team have been greatly strengthened by members of the late Southport, who chiefly added to the victory of the locals, by four goals to nil. Mellor and W. Morris worked energetically throughout the whole game, and Lea and Kerr proved to be of great service in the front rank. Sellars, Johnson and Hindley were three safe half-backs, whilst Parks, in the rear, showed some of his old form, and was ably assisted by Grifiths. Platt had not much to do, but what was required from him he did in his well-known cool manner. The visiters goal-keeper, no doubt, was the saviour of his side repelling shot after shot in a marvellous way. Sellars won the toes, and shortly after four, Ashworth kicked off, the locals defending the Kew goal. Hands, off Morris, for the visiters was soon claimed, but Sellars relieved, and the game proceeded in mid-field, when Mellor receiving, put in a well-directed shot, which Thornton claimed. A corner for the locals was now given by Wilkinson, Johnson taking the kick. and after a terrific scrim- mage the ball was well got away. An occasional visit to Platt was taken up by the visiters forwards, but the backs returned, and the locals got another corner, which Morris took and put in a beauty, the ball just hitting the crossbar and dropping over. On the kick out Sudell and Riley raced away down the right, Grimshaw conceding a corner, which, however. was not utilised. The Wanderers forwards again worked up the field, and by good play. Mellor scored. Afterwards, from a corner kick by Morris Kerr rushed the ball through the posts, thus scoring No. 1 for the Scarisbrick New-road players. Re starting the local, assisted by a stiff breeze, gained nother point, half-time soon after being called with the Wanderers two goals to the good. On the kick-off Antley, favoured with the wind, made a rush up the field. Johnson saved, and Kiles, getting hold for Antley, sent in a ripping shot, which Platt with difficulty claimed. Lea and Kerr were the next to show up, and Morris with a lone low shot scored again for the winners. Clegg and Hayward got away for the visiters, and were looking dangerous, but Sellars saved with a long kick, and Morris receiving same promptly kicked the ball through, but the goal was disallowed on account of the off-side rule. A little give and take play followed now, when Hindlay made a pretty run down the right, and delivered a well aimed shot at the goal, which struck the crossbar and rebounded into play, but Mellor, following up well, placed the leather safely out of the custodian’s reach. A few minutes only remained for play, and no other score being totalled, the Wanderers came out of the struggle victorious as indicated above.

Teams:-Wanderers: Platt, goal; Parkes and Griffiths, back; Sellars, Johnson, and Hindlay, half-backs; Mellor, W. Morris, J. Kerr, T. H. Lea, and C. Riley, forwards. Antley: Thornton, goal; Wilkinson and Barrett, backs; Ainsworth, Howarth, and Whittaker. half-backs; W. T. Hiley, Sudell, Ashworth. Heyward. and Clegg, forwards