Notwithstanding the miserable weather on Saturday a fairly big crowd assembled on the Scarisbrick New-road ground to witness the eagerly-looked forward to match between the Centralites and Preston North End. It was rather strange that Central should have been drawn for the second consecutive time against the Prestonians in connection with the cup competition, but so far as Southport is concerned the fixture was a most popular one. Last year at Deepdale Central suffered a six to nil defeat, but towards the close of the season when the North End team disported themselves on the Scarisbrick New-road ground the tables were unexpectedly turned, the Southportonians returning the compliment by piling on six goals to one. Hence the interest which attached itself to this year’s encounter. The Preston committee sent the best available team, for although Blyth was ineligible owing to a bereavement, and Sanders, unable to play, good substitutes were obtained in Hunter and Boyd.

The teams took the field thus:—Southport: Goal, Abram; backs, Smith and Sellars; half-backs, Cunliffe, Stringfellow, and Tattersall; forwards, Hallows, Blundell, Lang, Kirwan, and Townley.

North End: Goal, Trainer; backs, Holmes and Dunn; half-backs, Hunter, Boyd, and Matthews; forwards, T. Smith (No. 2), Pratt, Brown, Pierce, and Halsall.Referee, Mr. W. Smalley, Blackburn.

The opening movements were decidedly in favour of the Centralites, who at the very outset evinced a determination to miss nothing for want of trying. Kirwan and Townley got away trickily, and the former transferring to Lang, the Central vanguard became dangerous. Boyd made an erratic kick, and Trainer only saved by fisting out. Southport still continued to attack, and some loose tactics by Dunn, Holmes, and Trainer almost ended in a score, the ball rolling just clear of the unprotected goal. Tattersall took the corner, but the North End backs cleared smartly. Central, however, came back cleverly, and Holmes had to concede a corner, which proved abortive. Then the Preston men revealed a little of their ability, and by good combination visited the Southport end, where Matthews put in a rattling shot, which Abram nicely negotiated. Central worked their way back and Cunliffe sent a swift one over the bar. Smith and Pratt afterwards became conspicuous, and the home backs had hard work to check some dangerous overtures. The North End forwards were playing with much more dash at this stage, and the game waxed in excitement. At length Brown, from a smart pass by Smith, notched the first goal after twenty-two minutes’ play. The Centralites continued to operate pluckily, Hallows galloping off, and Trainer fumbling the ball a grand chance was afforded. The Centralites swarmed in, but seemed to lose their heads in the excitement, and the opportunity was missed. Halsall relieved by a capital sprint, but refused to shoot, and simply ran behind. A minute later, from a free kick, Boyd sent in a superb shot, which Abram only partially checked, and Smith rushing in landed the ball into the net. With two goals ahead, the North Enders waltzed around the Central goal for a bit, and Pratt, after dodging several of the homebacks, put on a third.

By hard work Smith and Sellars cleared, and the home team livening up made some determined efforts to open an account with Trainer. Dunn and Holmes, however, were playing a sterling game, their huge kicking being somewhat disheartening to the Centralites. Just before half-time, after a spell of uninteresting play, Brown beat Abram with a swift shot, and the score at the interval read—North End, 4; Central, nil.

The Centralites missed several good chances, and should have scored at least twice. The score would then have more accurately represented the nature of the game.The rain had fallen heavily for the most part of the first half, and on resuming there was no prospect of any meteorological improvement. The Prestonians commenced operations on the Southport citadel, but the defence was capital, and nothing resulted. At length from a free kick Central were off, Kirwan and Lang dodging the halves in fine style. Cunliffe was within an ace of scoring, Dunn checking just at the crucial moment. After a very tame period, Southport had the best of matters, and a good shot by Stringfellow proved dangerous, but unfortunately not successful. Play fluctuated, and it was evident that there was to be very little further scoring. Individual play became the order, with the natural consequence that neither side for a time became troublesome. Pratt was most conspicuous for North End, but Jimmy Tattersall kept an eye on that burly forward, and more than once checked his ambitious career. However, on the whole the visitors were having the best of matters, for which they had to thank their backs, whose defence was the thorn in Central’s side. Abram, whenever called upon, was equal to the occasion, and the game ended four to nil in favour of North End.

The “gate” realised about £69. Had fine weather prevailed, £100 would easily have been cleared.

THE TEAMS ENTERTAINED.

After the match Mr. J. Fisher generously entertained the teams to a first-rate hot-pot supper at his establishment in Lord-street. At the conclusion, on the motion of Mr. I. Smith, seconded on behalf of the North End team by Mr. W. E. Ord, a hearty vote of thanks was accorded the host for his kindness.—Mr. Fisher in responding offered on any future occasion when the Prestonians paid them a visit to repeat the entertainment.

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.

As might have been expected, Southport Central, though playing on their own ground, found the task of opposing Preston North End beyond their powers, and the result of the game was a victory for North End by 4 goals to nil. All the goals for the winners were put on during the first half, Brown opening the scoring 20 minutes from the start. The weather was of a miserable character, but about 3,000 spectators assembled.

To-day’s match at Southport has on the strict Q.T. caused a good deal of trouble. North End, like other big clubs, wanted to play the tie on a Monday, for they had a League engagement for to-day. Southport Central were willing to agree to such a course provided they received a satisfactory solatium. North End’s offer was a decidedly generous one, for they expressed themselves willing to play on a week-day, to pay the expenses of their players, and Southport Central to take the entire gate. The Central Executive demanded a cool £100 in addition! And so the match was played to-day.