ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL

HEART OF MID-LOTHIAN V.

THIRD LANARK

VICTORY FOR THE TYNECASTLE TEAM

On Ibrox Park, Glasgow, on Saturday, the Heart of Mid-Lothian and Third Lanark met in the thirty-third final for the Scottish Cup, and after a game, which was keen, though never brilliant, the Edinburgh team annexed the national trophy by the narrow victory of one goal to nothing.

The concluding stage was on this occasion considerably delayed owing to the protracted nature of some of the earlier ties, but it is notable that the Hearts came out of the first three rounds and the semi final successfully at the first time of asking, the teams defeated in order being

Nithsdale Wanderers (h.), 4-1;

Beith (a.), 3-0;

Celtic (a.) 2-1; and

Port Glasgow (a.), 3-0.

On the other hand, the Volunteers, after beating Galston in the first round, had to meet Hamilton Academicals twice before overcoming them, 3-1; while after defeating Hibernians (a.), 3-2 in the third round, they had to play St. Mirren in the semi-final three times before a decision was arrived at, the Warriors eventually winning by one goal to nothing.

On the respective showings of the finalists who met for the first time in the joint capacity the Hearts were favourites, and their win, which was generally expected, gives them the cup for the fourth time and carries on the sequence of the team's quinquennial victories, the Maroons having first won the cup in 1890-91 from Dumbarton, and since then in season 1895-96 from the Hibernians, and in 1900-01 from Celtic.

The weather in the west was far from favourable to a great gathering of spectators, being cold, with showers of rain and snow, and a little sunshine at times.

It was therefore near the time for starting that the crowds assumed large dimensions at all, the first arrivals being those from Edinburgh by special train, but even with the weather promising much better at the kick off, it was estimated that the gathering would not number more than 16,000.

THE GAME

The Hearts, playing in blue jerseys, turned out at full strength, but at the last moment the Third Lanark announced a change.

Reid, of Greenock Morton, being brought in at centre forward vice McGrain.

The Hearts were beaten for choice of ends and the Glasgow team elected to play with the wind and sunshine in their favour.

The Blues started, and after some slow work on the part of both teams at midfield, bore down on the Warriors' goal, the first incident of note being a grand effort by Walker to open the scoring, the ball passing the upright a yard wide.

In the opening stages the Hearts completely hemmed the Cathkin side in their own quarters, and the fine passing to his wings of Menzies prepared the way for his forwards.

G. Wilson had a couple of tries, Cross clearing in the first instance, and the ball going behind in the second.

Later on the finest shot of the early stages came from G. Wilson, Raeside alone avoiding a score with a great save at the expense of a corner.

After Thomson had shot over from a free kick, an exciting scrimmage took place in front of Raeside, there being danger in every kick, but the attack ended owing to a mistake by Dickson.

With the interval nearing, the Third took a more prominent part in the game, their forwards opening out in better fashion and Reid had a likely try, the ball going a little too high.

Neither side, however, managed to secure a point, and the interval arrived with no scoring.

SECOND HALF

There was a largely increased attendance when the teams, in bright sunshine took the field in the second half.

The Hearts, with the wind behind them, immediately forced the pace, and G. Wilson almost rushed the ball through.

Two corners were conceded by the Warriors, but the sound defence of the Cathkinites got them out of severe difficulties on both occasions.

A slight accident to Hugh Wilson caused a short cessation of play.

On resuming, the Third forwards took up the running, and Reid broke away nicely, but was robbed of his chance when in good position by Thomson, who had to give away a corner.

For a time the game proceeded on fast lines, attack and counter attack being the order, and Couper at one end vied in shooting with Neilson at the other, both custodians having to save smartly.

Both sides struggled on determinedly, but could not score, but the misfortune which befell the Hearts in the shape of an injury to Menzies, who was carried off the field, seemed to open up the way for the Volunteers.

But such was not the case, for the Hearts with their handicap initiated a more vigorous game, and a moment or two later they snatched the only goal of the match.

A pass forward by Thomson let Walker dash between the backs, and Raeside, leaving his goal to intercept Walker, gave G. Wilson a chance, which he promptly improved upon to the accompaniment of great cheering.

To the end the Third tried hard to equalise, but the Hearts, who now had Menzies again, managed to hold out, and the game, which was, on the whole, disappointing, gave the Hearts the victory and the cup to Edinburgh.

Result:- Heart of Mid-Lothian, one goal; Third Lanark, nothing.

Teams-Third Lanark,- Raeside, Barr and Hill, Cross, Neilson, and Comrie, Johnstone, Graham, Reid, Wilson, and Munro.

Heart of Mid-Lothian,- Philip, M'Naught and D. Philip, M'Laren, Thomson, and Dickson, Couper, Walker, Menzies, and D. and G. Wilson.

Referee, Mr. R. T. Murray, Stenhousemuir.

PRESENTATION OF THE TROPHY

After the match the teams drove from the ground to the Alexandra Hotel, Bath Street, Glasgow, where several of the officials of the Scottish Football Association, as well as the teams, officials, and directors, were gathered, and tea was served.

Mr. Stevenson, president of the Association, occupied the chair, and called upon Mr. R. Wilson, president of the Heart of Mid-Lothian Football Club, to accept the trophy.

Mr. Stevenson, in view of his coming retirement, took the opportunity of referring to his connection with the Association.

He had the unique experience of being in an official capacity when the fortunes of the S.F.A. were at their lowest, and he had the exacting experience of being one of the Ibrox Disaster Committee.

He was pleased to be the medium of handing over the cup to the Heart of Mid-Lothian.

He thought it good for the game generally that the honours should go round, but he warned the winners that the Third Lanark would give them a strong fight in another year.

Mr. Wilson, in reply, said it gave him great pleasure to see the Hearts win the cup in the first year of his association with the club.

Their win put them on a level with the Rangers and Celtic who had won the cup four years.

Other speeches were given, and an enjoyable evening was spent, the officials and players of the Hearts leaving early for a train.

GREAT RECEPTION IN EDINBURGH

On arrival in Edinburgh shortly after nine o'clock, the members of the team had a great reception from a huge crowd which had assembled to welcome the victors.

The station was kept clear for the arrival, but the enthusiasts who had returned with the special train signalised the return of the team with great cheering.

Some of the players were carried shoulder high to a brake which was in waiting, and in this the team and officials were driven to the Imperial Hotel.

Preceded by a number of mounted police and the Gorgie Brass Band, the brake drove out of the Caledonian Station to the accompaniment of wild cheering from thousands of enthusiasts who surrounded the station and lined Princes Street.

When the brake made its appearance on the street, the crowd rushed forward, the policemen on foot being apparently powerless to stop them, and surged round the vehicle, thousands following it all the way along Princes Street, cheering and singing, and waving hats and handkerchiefs.

Traffic was for a time at a standstill, and the scene, with the great crowd on the street and the spectators on the tops of cars cheering and making a demonstration, was, indeed, a remarkable one.

In front of the brake sat two of the Tynecastle favourites, Captain Thomson holding the trophy aloft, and Robert Walker taking possession of the silver cover.

At the hotel the cup was passed round, mutual congratulations were offered, and continued prosperity to the club was loyally pledged.

Taken from the Scotsman