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Celtic Games 1890 – Third Lanark
Trivia
- League match played on Cathkin Park.
- Before 10,000 spectators.
- Celtic have had four points deducted for fielding an ineligible player, James Bell, in the match with Hearts.
Review
The weather was if anything too warm for football on Saturday. A number of Scottish League matches took place , and the surprise of the day was furnished by the defeat of the Celtic by the Third Lanark by two goals to one.
Johnstone scored first for Third’s after ten minutes. In the second half, after about eight minutes’ play, Crossan headed through to equalise fro Celtic. Then with only ten minutes to the finish Billy Thomson put on a second goal for the Third and the game ended with the result – Third Lanark, 2 goals; Celtic, 1 goal.
Teams
Celtic:-
Bell, Reynolds, McKeown,P Gallagher, W Maley, McLaren,Crossan, Dowds, T Maley, Madden, Dunbar.
Goal:- Crossan 53.
Third Lanark:-
Downie, A Thomson, Scott, McFarlane, Love, Lochhead, Billy Thomson, Lapsley, W Johnstone, Burke, McInnes.
Goals:- W Johnstone 15, Billy Thomson 80.
Att:- 10,000.
Articles
- Match Report (See Below)
- Official Site
Pictures
- Match Pictures
Stats
*Renton were expelled from the League and all their games were declared void.
**Celtic and Cowlairs were deducted 4 points for a rules infringement. [Celtic played Bell against Hearts]
From newspaper reports from the time.
Report 1
The Scotsman – Monday, 15th September 1890, page 4
Third Lanark v Celtic – League Championship Competition. – These teams brought off their first League fixture at Cathkin Park in splendid weather, and before a 10,000 crowd. The Celtic were of course without Kelly, and Groves also stood out, Tom Maley substituting him. The Volunteers put their best eleven on the field, A. Thomson taking his old place at back for the first time, Johnston playing centre. The Third started the sphere, and play at once became brisk. The Celtic started best, and for the first ten minutes had much the best of it, but they had to yield place to their opponents, who improved wonderfully as the game advanced. In fifteen minutes the Volunteers were successful in scoring after a run up on the right and across over. The success was greatly beneficial to the Volunteers, who afterwards and for some time fairly outplayed their opponents. Gradually foul play began to manifest itself, and, being unchecked, increased. The play suffered considerably in consequence. Reynolds was badly kicked on the side, and had to temporarily retire. At crossing over, the home team led by a solitary point. The second half opened in favour of the Celts, who in seven minutes scored from the left. Foul play again asserted itself, and in fact became the chief characteristic of the match, which, from a playing point of view, was a poor one. Thirty-five minutes from crossing over, the Third claimed and obtained, a second point, which was undoubtedly through. The Celts stoutly contested the point, and threatened to leave the field. After a prolonged stoppage they again continued. At the finish the Volunteers were the winners by two goals to one.
Report 2
Played at Cathkin Park before 10,063 spectators. The home team having lost the toss, kicked off with the sun in their faces.
The Celtic put in some severe pressure in front of their opponents’ goal, forcing a corner, and Downie had twice to fist out. From a foul against the Celts the Third looked dangerous, but McKeown cleared. The Celts gained a similar advantage close in front of the Volunteers’ goal, but Dowds shot past the post, and in a minute the Third were at the other end, when Burke tried a long shot, which went several feet over the crossbar.
After a quarter of an hour’s play, a combined run by the Third’s forwards resulted Johnstone forcing the ball through and gaining the first goal. Some lively play followed, each goal being visited in turn, but the defence on both sides was good.
From a corner kick the Third claimed a goal, but as there was some doubt about it the referee threw up the ball, when the Celtic instantly came down on Downie, and, a corner being conceded, a goal was almost scored, the ball striking the foot of the post and rebounding into play.
The Celtic had another chance, but Tom Maley shot a little too high. Towards the close Burke shot the ball through the Celtic goal, but it was disallowed on account of offside, and the game had to be stopped for a few minutes in consequence of an accident to Reynolds. Tom Maley had a run by himself, but he wound up by shooting over the bar. Half-time found the Third pressing and leading by one goal to nil.
On resuming the Third sent in a good shot, which almost took effect. Two corners afterwards fell to the Third in rapid succession, but proved fruitless. A third corner was conceded to the home side, but W Maley got the ball away, and the Celts getting well down the field Downie had to save a smart shot.
Eight minutes from the start Madden centred the ball, and Crossan rushing in headed the ball through, thus equalising amidst great enthusiasm . the Celts were now playing with great determination and the Third had to act chiefly on the defensive. Aided by a foul, however, the Volunteers got well down, but the parting shot was wide of the mark. The game then became exceedingly rough, and the partisans of both clubs were worked up to a high pitch of excitement.
When it only wanted ten minutes Billy Thomson scored a second goal for the Third, and there was another dispute about the point, the Celts claiming that it was no goal.
The game ended – Third Lanark, 2 goals; Celtic, 1 goal.