Leadgate Park Football Club Championship Game

  The Championship Of Leadgate Saturday 25th October 1890 between the Leadgate Park Football Club and the Leadgate Exiles Football Club

Supporters Interest

A lot of betting interest by the supporters was taken on the match. This was mainly due, on account of the teams being such old and keen rivals. They met on the Park’s ground, on Saturday, in the second round of the Durham Association Cup Qualifying Competition. They met last season in the first round of the same competition, the Park on that occasion beating their opponents by two goals to one.    

The Size Of The Crowd

On reaching the field on Saturday, I was agreeably surprised to see such a large crowd of enthusiastic supporters waiting for admission. Access to the ground was challenging and not at all organised with safety in mind. The management has not done due diligence into the arrangements for such a large crowd. The process of taking the money at the gate was slow and painful to the four thousand spectators, some of whom would be unable to see the kick-off. The gate was a splendid one, Between £14 and £15 being taken-undoubtedly a “record” in this district.

Kick-Off

When the teams faced each other, the Exiles (who appeared in all green jersey) looked the heavier, especially in the back department. Leadgate Park Football Club won the toss, and the exiles kicked off with a slight wind against them. For the first few minutes, the play was rather even; then the Exiles made a combined run, ending in the ball being sent behind for a goal-kick. After the goal-kick; Robson got the ball and after having taken it some distance, passed to Burnhope, who in turn put it to Haggeratone; Hunter receiving from the latter, gave the ball to Wattsford, who shot the leather over the bar. The lead up to this move involved some of the most skilful steps up to now in the game. After some loose play, the Exiles’ left-wing got possession, which ended in the ball going through the posts; but the goal was not allowed for off-side. The Exiles were not to be denied a win today. They upped their efforts and came with a grand run on the part of the forwards, the ball again was shot between the posts for a goal. The genuineness of the goal could not be denied. They did not remain in possession of the lead very long. W.McGee having missed his kick, allowed Leadgate Park Football Club’s forwards to score somewhat easily. Half-time found the teams on level terms-one goal each.

Half Time

On re-starting, the game for a time was even, but after a quarter-of-an-hour’s play the Exiles showed their superior strength, and Thompson placed his team a goal to the good. The Park forwards fell off a lot at this period and were never dangerous afterwards. The Exiles thus reversed last season’s result, winning by two goals to one.

Player’s Statistics

For the Exiles, Callaghan, the goalkeeper, showed himself to be a worthy custodian, the shots that he had to save, were efficiently performed. McGee was the best of the backs/defenders, although Hughes worked hard and played the ball cleanly. The half-backs were a good lot. Thompson’s weight helped him martial his defence, and Walton will have cause to remember him. Monaghan played an excellent game, without the least tendency to roughness. Of the forwards, McGee was the best and was given great applause for some tricky play, but he might have passed the ball more to his partner, McKie. The latter shows promise of making a skilful inside-man/midfielder.  

For the Park, Beadling showed some of his old skills and was blameless for the goals scored against him. Cairns never seemed to tire in defence and worked like a trojan throughout. Hewitt is a clever little full-back but is instead a little on the light side. Rayner at centre-half tackled and kicked in a professional style, but Wilson seemed scarcely up to his old form. Walton played an excellent game. Amongst the midfield division, Wattsford appeared to have any amount of pace, but not so much command over the ball. Hunter was always in the thick of the fray, but the rest of the forwards were decidedly off colour.