PRESTON NORTH END v. SOUTHPORT CENTRAL

Played on the ground of the Southport Club, Scaresbrook, New-road, in miserable weather and before a gate of 7,000 people. The Prestonians had their best side out and had not much difficulty in securing the verdict. The Central started the game and had at once to act on the defensive. The North End could not at first gauge the ball on account of the sandy and consequently dry nature of the ground, but once they got into their stride they had all the best of matters. Abram soon had to deal with a stiff one from Hunter, and then Trainer had to get rid of an awkward attempt by Kirwan. Halsall, of the North End left wing, springs from Southport, and he played a great game before his many admirers. At the end of 22 min. Smith centred to Brown, who beat Abram with a really fine shot. This rather displeased the home supporters, but it was quite plain that the home side could not hope to win. They defended stoutly, but seven minutes from the first goal the Prestonians were two up, Smith having landed the ball grandly into the net. North End continued to monopolise the play, and Pratt and Brown scored again before the interval, when North End led by four goals to nil. In the second half the North End appeared quite satisfied with their position, and turned their attention to exhibition football. They made toys of the Centralians, but neither side scored. Result: — North End, four goals; Central, nil.

Teams: —

NORTH END.— Trainer (goal), Holmes and Dunn (backs), Hunter, Boyd, and Matthews (half-backs), T. Smith (No. 2), Pratt, Brown, Pierce, and Halsall.

SOUTHPORT.— Abram (goal), Smith and Sellars (backs), Cunliffe, Stringfellow, and Tattersall (half-backs), Hallows, Blundell, Lang, Kirwan, and Townley.