McLintock 15
P Campbell 48
M McNeil 53
Baird 66
Paton 86
Match Information
Manager: No Permanent Manager
Attendance: 10,000
Referee: unknown - to be confirmed
Matchday: Friday
Match Trivia
Second Replay. The undecided tie in the competition has at last been played, and Vale of Leven have on after a most determined and severe struggle, by three goals to two. The game was played on the ground of the Queen’s Par, in cold but remarkably dry weather. From the interest manifested in the game, a large turnout of spectators was naturally looked for even on a Friday evening, but nobody expected to see such a brilliant array of people met to do honour the “Association game” in general, and the “Cup tie” in particular. For fully a couple of hours car, buses, cabs, et hoc genus emcee, kept up a continual stream from the city and environs to Hampden Park, and the main roads and pavements were also crowded with pedestrians on their way to see the great event. Thousands of the working classes rushed out to the field of battle in their labouring grab, after crossing the workshop gate when the whistle sounded at five o’clock, and some times ere the contest begin, there could not be far short of 7000 or 8000 inside the enclosure, and as many were ranged outside on every conceivable space, where the slightest chance of a peep at the proceedings could he had. As the game progressed, it did not require the impartial observer to feel that the balance of sympathy lay with the Rangers, but in justice to the great majority of the people it is only fair to add that when a bit of brilliant play was shown on the Vale of Leven side it did not pass uncheered, and when the goals were taken on each side the scene baffles description. The hum of human voices was heard far and near, and caps, hats, and sticks were waved overhead in thousands. Since Vale of Leven came through their cup tie with the Queen’s Park on the last day of 1875 (a day long to be remembered in the annals of football) very little doubt was entertained but that they would easily overcome all their subsequent opponents with consummate ease and carry off the handsome trophy, but such was not the case, as after experience showed. In the young Rangers they found “foreman worthy of their steel”. In fact, in the first match, played on the 17th of last month, the Rangers astonished all who witnessed the tussle on the W.S.C.C. ground that day for their brilliant combined play superior in many respects to that of their opponents, and as every one will admit had the best of a drawn game. On Saturday last the combatants met again on the same ground, and a second drawn battle was the result after a match, which was remarkable in many way. The Rangers had the best of the match for the first ordinary half scoring a pretty goal up the hill, but in the second forty-five the Leven men had decidedly the game on hand, and scored an equally fine goal a few minutes after ends were changed, also up the hill. The first of the second stage (quarter) was also in favour of the Vale of Leven, but when about five or six minutes of the second quarter was contained a splendid long shot by one of the Rangers went direct for the Leven goal, and after striking the bar was smartly punted out by the goalkeeper. Immediately after this incident the play had to be entirely stopped, as the immense crowd rushed the goal in an excited state, and many protested that a goal had been kicked, while others affirmed that such was not the case. At last the umpires and referee declared to give no goal, and the match of last evening was the consequence. Since Saturday feeling has been high amongst the partisans of both clubs, the friends of the Rangers strongly asserting that they has won the cup, while these of the Vale of Leven maintained that the shot was “no goal”. It had been rumoured that the Rangers would decline to meet their formidable opponents on account of Saturday’s match, but with that commendable pluck which has characterised them all through the season, they met yesterday on Hampden Park. The Leven men maintained their position in the matter, and honourably agreed to abide by the decision of the umpires and referees, and the Scottish Football Association, and have at length won the cup. It is to be regretted for the interested of the popular game, that two players should have quarrelled during the match, and that a Vale of Leven man should have so far forgot himself as to kick one of the Rangers wistfully. A free kick was claimed for this, and allowed by the judges of the play, and the great majority of the spectators received the discussion with favour, but we hope never to see the same repeated. It is pleasing however, to hear that regret has been expressed by both parties at the matter, and before the two eleven’s took cave of each other last evening, the two players referred to shock hands. Considering that the play of both eleven’s has been so often criticised by us in previous games it is not necessary to enter into minute detail of the play or run of the game, but we cannot refrain from saying that the play although about the fastest, was certainly and handling the ball was painfully frequent. The back play of McIntyre and McLintock (except the mistake which lead to the first goal) was splendid, and Paton, McDougall, Ferguson and Baird really distinguished themselves with dashing runs. On the Rangers side Watt kept goal in brilliant form, and was repeatedly loudly cheered for the manner in which he freed it in the first half. Vallance, W McNeil and Gillespie also showed up well, and Peter Campbell, Watson, Dunlop, M McNeil and Marshall had several magnificent runs during the game. Both teams faced each other a couple of minutes after the advertised time, and for the first three-quarters of the play, the Vale of Leven had the wind in their favour. With this advantage it was expected that they would have had the game in hand, at least for a time but such was not the case. Coming away with a rush shortly after the kick-off, with the wind in their faces, the Glasgow club, by fine forward play were in front of the Leven goal, which nearly fell to the foot of M McNeil. After the kick out Ferguson, and his forward’s companions followed well up, and after an exciting scrimmage Watson in trying to free his goal punted the ball with his head. Watt did his best to save it, but it went through amid great excitement. After the kick-off a “hand” was allowed for the Rangers, and Vallance sent the ball under the Vale of Leven goal. It touched no one however before going under, and of course it went for nothing. At haft time the Vale of Leven had scored one goal against nothing. In the last half the whole of the play was most exciting, the Rangers making it hot for their opponents a few minutes after the kick-off was returned, P Campbell after a pretty run, in which he passed McIntyre and McLintock, made a long shot at goal. The ball travelled very slowly, and Wood came out to have an easy kick. Amid the wildest excitement the goalkeeper missed his kick, and McLintock and McIntyre went to the rescue. The former made to kick the ball, but seeing the latter behind him allowed it to go past McIntyre missed his kick, and the ball went under. A second goal was scored by W McNeil of the Rangers who passed the ball under after an exciting scrimmage. The Rangers had now two goals and the Vale of Leven one, and great excitement prevailed. Many thoughts that the Leven could not now make up their leeway and that all chance of the cup had fled. Knitting themselves well together however after the ball was again started Baird scored a second goal in splendid style after McLintock had had one of his famous "place kicks". The two teams were now equal. The Rangers then bore down on the Vale goal, and Wood, McIntyre, Jamieson and Michie had a hot time of it, as shots came thick and fast from Vallance, Rickets, and some of the forwards. The Leven men raised the siege, and when the ball was well up McLintock had a “free kick”. After some fast passing by Ferguson, Baird and Paton, the latter took advantage of a gap amongst the Rangers backs, and sent the ball flying past Watt who had previously defended his goal brilliantly. There was only a short time to play now, and the Rangers came way gallantly and crowded round their opponent’s fortress. Hope had now however “passed in light away”, and their chance of winning the cup fled as the referee announced “time” leaving the Vale of Leven winners by three goals to two. After the game both teams had tea together, and spent a most enjoyable evening
