Hearts Scottish Cup Results

THE SCOTSMAN, MONDAY 9TH FEBRUARY, 1891

FOOTBALL

The Scottish Cup competition reached its final stage on Saturday, and for the second time in the history of the competition the cup was brought to Edinburgh.

The Heart of Mid-Lothian defeating Dumbarton by one goal to nil.

ASSOCIATION SCOTTISH CUP-FINAL TIE HEART OF MID-LOTHIAN V.

DUMBARTON

VICTORY OF THE EDINBURGH TEAM

Extraordinary general interest centered on this important contest, which was decided at Hampden Park, Glasgow, on Saturday.

The brilliant victory of the Heart of Mid-Lothian of the previous week over the 3d Lanark Volunteers had greatly assisted to this end, and on all hands the opinion was freely expressed that the hitherto unconquered Dumbarton men had met opponents equal in skill and pluck to themselves.

The most elaborate arrangements had been made in view of the importance of the contest in the district as well as in Dumbartonshire.

Two specials left the Caledonian Station here - the first at 11.30, containing no fewer than 1500 passengers, while a second at 1.15 was patronised to extent of 1000.

The specials from Dumbartonshire were also well filled, and when the gates of Hampden Park were thrown open at 1.30 the field at once presented a busy and animated appearance.

From that hour all was bustle and excitement at the gates, every conceivable vehicle being brought into requisition to convey spectators to the scene of action.

The attendance consequently exceeded all expectations, and by 3.15, the hour fixed for the kick-off, there could not have been less than 12,000 present.

£600 was drawn at the gate, and the closely packed stand would doubtless furnish fully £100 more.

The weather, though dull, was well adapted to the game, while the ground was in capital condition.

From start to finish the game was conducted in the most desperate manner, although it must be dais that the players kept themselves most wonderfully well in-hand for a final tie.

All round, however, the Edinburgh team were superior, and their victory of one goal to nothing was thoroughly well deserved.

Five minutes before the time the teams made their appearance in the field, and though both were well received, popular sympathy appeared to be decidedly in favour of the Heart of Mid-Lothian.The toss favoured Dumbarton, who compelled their opponents to face a stiff and somewhat puzzling south-west wind.

After the customary interchanges the teams settled down to an excellent passing game, and it soon became evident that Dumbarton would have all their work cut out to stall off the determined opposition of the Tynecastle players.

Galbraith early prominent for the west country men, but he was pulled up in fine style by Goodfellow.

Russell was then prominent for the Heart of Mid-Lothian, and looked very dangerous until Watson came to the rescue of his side just on the line.

Bell shortly afterwards sent in a hard shot to Fairbairn, but the youthful custodiancaught and threw out in a style which gave great confidence to the supporters of the Club.

After some quiet and even play the Heart of Mid-Lothian broke away in really excellent style, and Russell all but scored with a header.

Thus temporarily driven back the Edinburgh team continued to assert their superiority, and after fifteen minutes from the start their efforts were crowned with success.

Adams with consummate judgement passed the ball to Scott, who in turn sent it to Mason, and the latter with a fine effort fairly baffled McLeod.

This success against the wind was received with tremendous cheering.

The Dumbarton team replied pluckily to this reverse, but their opponents were playing a fine game, and easily kept them in check.

Till half-time the game proceeded generally in favour of the eastern men, who however, were unable to add to their score.

On resuming, Dumbarton showed up in famous style, and had the players kept their heads better success would probably have rewarded their dashing efforts.

Cool and collected the Tynecastle men drove them back, and McLeod had all his work cut out to keep his charge intact.

The game in this half degenerated considerably, however.

Hill was suffering from lameness, and Baird was taken from the front rank to assist him.

this at once spoiled the combination, more especially of the forwards, and was generally considered to have been a mistake.

Against the wind it might have been a judicious move; as it was, the Hearts probably lost a goal through it.

Yet, with but four forwards, they more than held their own - Scott, in particular, putting in some famous runs on the left wing..

From one of these Mason nearly effected the downfall of the Dumbarton goal, McLeod jumping up and saving just under the bar.

As time approached it became evident that nothing could prevent the cup coming to Edinburgh, their representatives playing with easy confidence, while Dumbarton were to all intents and purposes a beaten team.When the whistle sounded, therefore, the Hearts, amid extraordinary excitement, secured possession of the much-coveted trophy.

The winners were loudly cheered, most of the players being carried shoulder-high to the pavilion.

Those who specially distinguished themselves on the winning side were Adams, Macpherson, Russell and Scott.

Boyle and McLeod did best for the losers, whose play generally was disappointing.

Teams:-
Dumbarton.- John McLeod, goal; Watson and Millar, backs; McMillan (captain), Boyle and Leitch Keir, half-backs; Taylor, Galbraith, Mair, McNaught, and Bell, forwards.


Heart of Mid-Lothian.-Fairbairn, goal; Adams and Goodfellow, backs; Begbie (captain),Macpherson and Hill, half-backs; Taylor, Mason, Russell, Scott, and Baird, forwards.


Officials.- Referee - Mr. T. R. Park, president S.F.A.; umpires - Messrs. G. Snedden, vice-president S.F.A.; and J. Robertson, 5th K.R.V.

RESULTS OF FINAL TIES.

1873-74 Queen's Park beat Clydesdale..............

..by 2 goals to 0
1874-75 Queen's Park beat Renton.......................by 3 goals to 0
1875-76 Queen's Park beat 3d Lanark..................by 2 goals to 0
1876-77 Vale of Leven beat Rangers.....................by 3 goals to 2
1877-78 Vale of Leven beat 3d Lanark..................by 1 goal to 0
1878-79 Vale of Leven awarded the Cup- Rangers failing to appear
1879-80 Queen's Park beat Thornliebank..............by 3 goals to 0
1880-81 Queen's Park beat Dumbarton.................by 3 goals to 1
1881-82 Queen's Park beat Dumbarton.................by 4 goals to 1
1882-83 Dumbarton beat Vale of Leven................by 2 goals to 1
1883-84 Queen's Park awarded the Cup- Vale of Leven failing to appear
1884-85 Renton beat Vale of Leven......................by 3 goals to 1
1885-86 Queen's Park beat Renton.......................by 3 goals to 1
1886-87 Hibernians beat Dumbarton.....................by 2 goals to 1
1887-88 Renton beat Cambuslang.........................by 6 goals to 1
1888-89 3d Lanark beat Celtic..............................by 2 goals to 1
1889-90 Queen's Park beat Vale of Leven.............by 2 goals to 1
1890-91 Heart of Mid-Lothian beat Dumbarton.....by 1 goal to 0

PRESENTATION OF THE CUP.

The match over, the teams dined in the Alexandra Hotel, Bath Street, Glasgow.

Mr. Tom Park, president of the Scottish Association, occupied the chair, supported by Mr. Snedden, vice-president, and most of the leading officials - past and present - of the Association.

There was a very large attendance.

In formally presenting the Cup to the winners, Mr. Park took occasion to congratulate Eastern football on the great victory it had obtained through the Heart of Mid-Lothian, remarking that it was only right and proper that "Scotia's Cup" should find a resting place in in "Scotia's capital." Mr. Blakeley, president of the winning club, accepted custody of the trophy.

Mr. Denny, in a sportsmanlike speech, replied for the "runners-up," and Mr. Lawrence proposed "The Officials," which was also suitably acknowledged by these gentlemen.

ENTHUSIASTIC RECEPTION IN EDINBURGH

Long before nine o' clock, at which time the team was expected to arrive in Edinburgh, there was an immense concourse of people outside the Caledonian Station to give a welcome to the Cup-holders, while inside the station the approach to the platform was also thronged by an excited crowd, whom the police had difficulty in keeping off the platform at which the train was to arrive.

It was after eleven, however, before the train containing the team put in an appearance, and on leaving the station the players met with a reception which for enthusiasm could not have been exceeded.

A brake was in readiness to convey the officials and team to the Union Hotel, Lothian Road, where supper had been provided; but the horses were removed, and the brake drawn up to the hotel by an enthusiastic crowd, cheering all the way.

The Q.R.V.B., Miller & Richard’s, and Gorgie Bands all accompanied the team to the hotel.

Within the hotel the committee of the club and the players sat down to supper, and the production of the cup was the occasion for another outburst of cheering.

Mr. BLAKELEY, president of the club, occupied the chair, and, in opening the proceedings, said he was certain every Edinburgh footballer felt proud of the Heart of Mid-Lothian that day.

They were met under the most auspicious of circumstances that had ever occurred in the history of Eastern football.

After remarking that until within appreciable distance of the end they were considered by some entirely out of it, he said that not only had they beaten the Third Lanark - (cheers) - but they had beaten the only club in Britain unbeaten this year.

(Renewed cheers.) They had beaten Dumbarton that day by pure football, and, only for simple sympathy on their part, he thought they could have beaten them by a goal or two more.

He concluded by remarking that they were the only unbeaten team in the cup ties in Scotland this year.

Mr. M. DAVIDSON, in a few remarks, proposed a hearty vote of thanks to the Evening Dispatch for its honest, fearless criticism of the club, and the encouragement it had given the players throughout the ties.

(Loud cheers.) The cup having been filled with champagne by Mr. Kay and handed round, Mr. BLAKELEY proposed "The East of Scotland Association," of which, he added, they were undoubtedly the most important club.

He emphasised the fact that they had proved that day there was talent in the East as good, if not better, than in the West, and asked for recognition of that talent.

Mr. SNEDDEN, in replying, said he fully endorsed everything the chairman had said as to the importance of the Heart of Mid-Lothian to the East of Scotland Association.

It would be hypocritical on his part if he were to say he felt exceedingly proud that the cup had been won by an Edinburgh club - a club belonging to the East of Scotland Association; but he would be otherwise than pleased if the club had won that cup by any decision of his that was not honest, fair and just.

He thought he might say that the team which won the cup that day won it on its merits, and deserved to win it on the play exhibited at Hampden Park that afternoon.

The Hearts had beaten the unbroken record of Dumbarton, and at the same time had won the "blue ribbon" of Scottish football.

(Cheers.) The proceedings shortly after terminated.

One unfortunate occurrence connected with the evening’s proceedings was that a labourer named Peter Wilson, residing in East Crosscauseway, who was either running alongside or assisting to draw the brake containing the team, was knocked down by the pole of the brake, and one of the wheels passed over his body.

He was removed to the Royal Infirmary, where he afterwards died.