| Matches: 1894 1895 | 1887-1900 | League Tables: 1894-95 | Forum |
Report
The St Mirren opened their new ground in Love Street, Paisley, when they met last season's League champions in the first of their League matches. the weather being good, there was an enormous crowd, a very large contingent travelling from Glasgow. Mr Archibald Struan, president of the SFA, kicked off, and at once both teams settled down to their work. Celtic, by some passing play on the part of Cassidy and McMahon, were the first to press, a swift shot from the former player nearly taking effect. For a few minutes the champions had the advantage, plying Patrick with all kinds of shots, but the grand defence of White and Cook frustrated all their efforts. After gaining a corner, mullen had a run the whole length of the field, and passing over to Taylor at the right moment, that player sent in a shot which caused McArthur to use his hands to defend the goal. The home team now commenced to take the upper hand of their opponents, and, pressing Celtic back into their own ground, Shaw sent in a shot which rebounded off Doyle's foot, through his own goal. A foul, however, had previously been claimedm and the goal was disallowed. The play now raged in midfield, some beautiful passing runs being exhibited by Cassidy, McMahon, Campbell and Blessington on the celtic side, and Taylor, Wylie and Mullen on the home side. The saints again visited McArthur and but for Wylie a goal would have been scored. As the first half was drwing to a close, both teams exerted themselves to the utmost to score, and on several occasions were nearly successful. Cassidy ans Mcmahon, carrying all before them, sent the leather to Patrick, who feebly re3turned , and McMahon rushing in, scored the first goal amidst tremendous cheering, A minute later the samr player should have scored a second goal, but seemed too anxious, and sent it harmlessly over the bar, The half-time whistle sounded shortly thereafter, leaving the score standing Celtic one goal, St Mirren nil.
Starting the second half, it was seen at once that the game promised to be as fast as in the preceding half. A foul was gained by the Saints ten yards from the goal, from which a corner resulted, and being beautifully placed by Taylor, the ball rebounded off the upright from a shot by Shaw. The Celtic came away in a body, and after a couple of unsuccessful tries, McMahon landed the leather into the net for a second time. this success seemed to put new life into the play of the Celts, for the ball was seldom over nid-field during the following ten minutes. Pressing back the Saints, the Celtic were again successful in scoring through Cassidy. the home team tried hard to reduce the score against them, but were met at every point by the grand defence of Maley and Dowds at half back, and Dunbar and Doyle at back. A minute drom the finish the Celtic had another grand opportunity of increasing their score, Blessington, with an open goal, sending the ball over the bar, one of the fastest games played in Paisley ended Celtic three goals: St Mirren, nothing.
Teams
St Mirren:-
Patrick, White, Cook, Goldie, Brown, McBain, Taylor, Wylie, Mullen,Shaw, Connell
Celtic:-
McArthur, Doyle, Dunbar, McIlheney, Maley, Dowds, Campbell, Blessington, Madden, McMahon, Cassidy
Goals:- McMahon (2), Cassidy.
Attendance:- 8,000