1923-01-13: Lochgelly United 2-3 Celtic, Scottish Cup

Match Pictures | Matches: 19221923 | 1923 Pictures

Trivia

  • Played at the Recreation Park Lochgelly, the “Happylanders” as Lochgelly United were known, (featuring ex-Celt Willie Brown  ) gave Celtic a run for their money. The club was formed in 1890 by the merger of two local clubs, Lochgelly Athletic (formed 1886) and Fifeshire Hibernian (formed 1889).
  • One of the first matches ever to be filmed by local cinema owner Tommy Timmons can be seen here courtesy of National Library of Scotland: LINK
  • The Glasgow Herald reports the Court of Session judgement on blame for the S.S. Rowan Tragedy in which 36 persons ( including memember of the Southern Syncopated Orchestra) lost their lives. LINK
  • Also in the Herald a report from Ireland that armed Irregulars have burned down the Rathfarnham residence of President Cosgrave.

Review

In a five-goal thriller in front of a record home crowd in Fife, Celtic win through thanks to a late goal from John McFarlane. Ex-Celt Willie Brown played for Lochgelly Utd, and, according to Celtic FC & the Glasgow Herald, scored the opening goal.

Teams

LOCHGELLY UNITED: Paterson, Williams, Day, Berry, McKay, Nicol, Toner, Brown, McIntosh, Neish, Wilson.

CELTIC: Shaw, McNair, McStay , Gilchrist, Cringan, McStay, McAtee, Cairney, Cassidy, McFarlane, McLean 

Referee: J Menzie (Falkirk).
Attendance: 10,000
Goals: Brown (1-0) (7), Cassidy (1-1), Cassidy (1-2), McIntosh (2-2), McFarlane (2-3)

Articles

  • Match Report (see end of page below)

Pictures

  • Match Pictures

Articles

Match report from The Scotsman, 15th January 1923

LOCHGELLY FALL FIGHTING
The visit of the Celtic to Lochgelly was responsible for a new gate record being set up, 10,000 watching a thrilling game, in which the local side were only beaten by the odd goal in five. Lochgelly won the toss, and took advantage of a strong wind. The scored the opening goal after seven minutes’ play by McIntosh, but before the interval, Cassidy, the Celtic centre, equalised. In the second half the local men played a great game, and although Cassidy placed his side one up, the Fifers again scored by McIntosh, and it was only a desperate rally by the Celtic in the last ten minutes that gave them the lead, McFarlane getting the winning goal, after Paterson had saved brilliantly from McLean. The Lochgelly team gave their famous opponents a fright.

The Glasgow Herald – Jan 15, 1923

Anxiety regarding Celtic’s visit to Lochgelly was chiefly occasioned through the absence of Gallagher, their leading forward. The League Champions finally prevailed by 3 goals to 2, though Lochgelly United opened the scoring, and till the end pushed them hard.

Lochgelly United opened the scoring, Brown taking advantage of a slip by McStay to beat Shaw. Celtic pressed hard, but it was not until eight minutes from half-time that Cassidy succeeded in equalising. Lochgelly pressed at the resumption, forcing two corners in quick succession. Cassidy gave Celtic the lead, and McIntosh afterwards equalised. Five minutes later McFarlane scored.