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The Times, Monday, Apr 11, 1892; pg. 7; Issue 33609; col B

The Scotch Challenge Cup.

Queen's Park and Celtic replayed the final tie at Ibrox Park, Glasgow, before upwards of 20,000 spectators. Queen's park, after leading by one goal to none at half-time, were beaten by five goals to one.


The Scotsman - Monday, 11th April 1892, page 5

Scottish Cup – Final Tie.

Queen’s Park v Celtic – After a series of postponements and delays almost without precedent in the history of the competition, the question of the custody of the Scottish Cup for the next year was finally settled on Saturday, when the Celtic capped their brilliant season’s form by defeating the Queen’s Park by the large majority of five goals to one. The Parkhead men have struggled manfully for the honour, which they thus secure for the first time, and there can be no dispute as to their right to secure the custody of the national trophy. Since the occasion of the first match the teams, which it is in the recollection of every one, was ordered to be replayed on account of the encroachment of the spectators, public interest in the contest had in no way diminished, though, as a matter of fact, the attendance on Saturday did not reach the extraordinary limit attained on that occasion. Though prior to the first match the Queen’s Park were favourites with the general public – partly by reason of the fact that they had time after time shown themselves to be possessed of the knack of rising to the occasion, and had, as a matter of fact, never been defeated in any final tie for the cup in which they had figured - the situation was reversed before the start of Saturday’s game. Several causes contributed to bring about this altered state of matters, but the principal was the weakened state of the Queen’s Park team. Nothing but uncertainty prevailed before the match as to the eleven which would do duty for them, and, as will be seen from the teams annexed, the combination which ultimately took the field for the popular Hampden Park club was of a poorly balanced nature. Still, with the resistance of the wind in the first half, they gave the Celts any amount of trouble, and actually crossed over with a lead of a goal, but in the second period the Irishmen turned the tables, and there was then really only one team in it. The arrangements for the match were again of the most perfect nature, there being a large staff of police both mounted and on foot present, sufficient to cope with a crowd of any dimensions. Needless to say, the fiasco of the previous match was not repeated, the proceedings being of the most orderly nature from the start to finish. The attendance, though short of that of the first match, was greater than that which filled the ground a week ago on the occasion of the Scoto-English International, it being calculated that there would be about 30,000 present. The only drawback from a meteorological point of view was the presence of a pretty strong east wind, which gave an undoubted advantage to the team defending the eastmost goal. Led by Kelly, the Celts were the first to make their appearance a little before the advertised time of start, and they were shortly followed by the Queen’s with Tom Robertson at their head, both teams coming in for a particularly hearty reception. Robertson was fortunate in the spin of the coin, and naturally elected to play with the wind in his favour during the first half. Dowds kicked off for the Celts and the game at once assumed a lively aspect. A foul against the Celts early gave the Hampden eleven an opportunity, and as Sellar sent the ball nicely into the goal-mouth some excitement prevailed, but the sphere was ultimately headed away. For a time the game was of a somewhat forcible nature, and fouls were rather frequent. Some surprise was expressed at the dashing form shown by the Queen’s Park representatives, notwithstanding the strange composition of the team, and for a time they kept the spectators at the pitch of excitement, as again and again they made a raid on the Celtic citadel. Kelly, however, was showing greatly improved form from his recent appearances and proved no small obstacle to the opposing forwards. Doyle also was in great form, his kicking and tackling at times being magnificent. Several rushes of the Celtic on the other hand, were splendidly negotiated by Donald Sillars who was playing a strong game at back. On one occasion early in the game, however, the Celtic were very near scoring, a beautiful shot, which just went over the bar, being sent in by W. Maley. The first corner kick of the match fell to the Queen’s Park, and was nicely placed by W. Lambie, but the leather was again sent over the bar. Then the Queen’s pressed, and Reynolds in heading out nearly sent the ball through his own goal. A corner, however, only resulted, off which nothing was scored. With the game about twenty minutes old, the Queen’s made a determined raid on the Celtic goal, and their efforts were this time rewarded, Waddell putting through the first goal of the match amid an enthusiastic outburst of cheering from the many Queen’s supporters on the ground. This gave the Queen’s Park the confidence which it was felt by their supporters they required, and for a considerable time they hemmed the Celtic in on their own goal-line, corner after corner being conceded to them. Of these, however, nothing came, thanks to the admirable defence of Cullen, assisted by Doyle and Reynolds. The Celts having at last raised the siege gave the Queen’s defence some trouble, McMahon being especially prominent by his dashing runs, but Sillars continued to maintain a strong defence, and seldom were the Celts really dangerous. Towards the close of the half the Queen’s had again all the best of the play, and considering the frequency of their visits to their opponents territory, they seemed to have rather hard lines in not scoring. Half-time arrived with the Queen’s leading by a goal to nil. The second half had not been long in progress before it was apparent that the relative positions of the teams would very soon be reversed. The breeze now proved an undoubted advantage to the Celts, and they soon bore down on Baird, but at first without success. For a time the Queen’s continued to show a little of the form of the first half, but this soon died away by reason of the strong attack which the Celts were now making. The Irishmen’s efforts were at length rewarded, as, after some smart play in front of the goal, M’Mahon, with a wonderful overhead shot, put through the first goal for his team. This was received with an extraordinary outburst of enthusiasm from the Parkhead club’s followers, and was really the turning point of the game, as further improvement was noticeable in the play of the Irishmen from this point. Only a short period had elapsed when the second goal was put through for the Celtic from the left wing. An effort was made by the Queen’s to rouse themselves, but though their play was of a dashing nature individually, their opponents felt evidently that they were playing a winning game, and showed the utmost confidence and resource. Doyle was simply unpassable, and repeatedly was cheered for his smart tackling and strong and clean kicking. Hamilton on one occasion, however, made a splendid single-handed effort for the “Blazers”, but his parting shot was wide of the mark. The Celtic left wing forwards were showing splendid combination, M’Mahon playing up in surprising fashion, and through his instrumentality Baird was beaten for the third time. The Celtic followers were now quite beside themselves with delight, and all the members of the team came in for favourable comment. With the view of, if possible, bringing about a change in the position of affairs, Sellar now took his usual place on the left forward wing, Stewart going back and J. A. Lambie to half-back. The change seemed likely to have some effect as Sellar time after time came away with beautiful dribbles down the wing. He got little support, however, and his efforts, therefore, went for little. Only on one occasion did he seem on the point of scoring, as, having beaten Kelly and Reynolds, he has an open goal before him. Doyle, however, had yet to be reckoned with, and crossing over from the other wing, the trustworthy “Dan” succeeded in nipping the ball from the feet of Sellar and sending it well down the field. From this point to the close the Celts with ease maintained their superiority. From a free kick Kelly scored the fourth goal, the ball striking one of the opposing team in its progress towards the goal mouth. For a few minutes the Celts’ forwards rested on their oars, and the Queen’s asserted themselves a little; but the opposing defence was as safe and steady as ever, and the Hampden eleven failed to augment their score. Just on the call of time M’Mahon succeeded in raising the Celtic total to five goals to one. There was a scene of much enthusiasm at the close, the members of the winning team being cheered to the echo as they retired to the pavilion. Coming to individual form, it may be said that for the winners the left forward wing played a prominent part in their victory, M’Mahon showing astonishing dash and resources, which marked him out as the best of the forward line. He was well supported by Campbell and M’Callum,McCallum, and Brady also played a magnificent game on the right. The surprise of the match was Kelly who played quite in his old style, in marked contrast to his international performance. Doyle was a tower of strength at the back, his play in all respects being most accurate, and he was ably assisted by Reynolds, while Cullen was very safe in goal. Of the losers, it may be said that Sellar was more effective forwards than at back. There was at times a sad lack of combination in the forward rank, but Hamilton and Waddell showed good individual play. The back division was much inferior to that of the Celts, Sillars being the only one of outstanding merit. Baird did fairly well in goal, and, though he has been seen to more advantage, saved some really dangerous shots in brilliant fashion.

Celtic – Cullen; Reynolds and Doyle; Maley, Kelly and Gallacher; McCallum, Brady, Dowds, McMahon, and Campbell.


Celtic Team:-


Scorers:-