NORTH MIDDLESEX LEAGUE v. KINGSTON AND DISTRICT.
The above match, which ended in a very popular win for the home team by three goals to nil, took place on Saturday on the Fairfield, Kingston, which was splendidly prepared by the groundman, Reuben Tickner. There were about 2,000 spectators present, including the Mayor of Kingston (president of the Kingston and District League), Mr. E. T. Coote (chairman of the North Middlesex League), Mr. Barbour (assistant Secretary N.M.L.), H. L. Bourke (secretary N.M.L.), A. H. Marriott (captain Kingston Rugby Club), &c. The weather which had kept up well in the morning broke, and just at 3.30 the rain came down, and continued right throughout the match, rendering the ground very slippery, and the ball heavy and greasy. On arrival at Kingston the visitors were met by Mr. Shaw, honorary secretary of the Kingston League. After both teams had been photographed by Mr. F. G. Smith the game commenced.

Lanham lost the toss, and Hilton elected to defend the Albion end. The Mayor kicked off very gracefully, sending well to the wing, where Hart got on and tried a long shot, which proved fruitless. Immediately after this the game became very fast, in fact it was one of the fastest give-and-take games ever witnessed on the same ground. About five minutes from the start Faulkner and Andrews worked their way well down, passed in front of goal to Townsend, and that player sent to Andrews, who registered the first goal of the match for Kingston amidst great cheering.

From the restart the play became very vigorous, but fair withal, and shortly before half-time
Townsend scored Kingston's second goal. The score at half time thus stood- Kingston, two goals; Middlesex, nil.

After a short interval another start was made, and the pace continued fast. In fact it was a wonder the Kingstonians held out, seeing that they had done no training. About 10 minutes from the finish Townsend broke away, and sent in a shot, which Macleod tried to clear, but he miskicked, and sent the ball right to Townsend's foot, who sent it clean through the net. Thus when the whistle sounded Kingston were declared the winners by three goals to none, a result which came as a great surprise to most people, more especially to the visitors.

Coming to the players - visitors first - King, in goal, was very good, saving several hot shots; Slark and Searle were a magnificent pair of backs; Hilton worked hard in the halves, and was well supported by Brown and Macleod, both of whom played a sterling game; the forwards were all hard workers but did not combine, Hart and Farrell being the pick, the latter playing well considering the injuries he received on Good Friday.

On the home side Lanham outshone himself, being very cool and reliable, some of his saves bringing back old times, so splendidly did he clear his charge; Alexander and Peck were not a whit behind the opposing pair of backs, both playing a sound game; the three halves were in grand fettle, Clark coming in for a large share of the applause, while Richards astonished everyone, so well did he play; Baker also played a smart game; forward, the honours lay between Townsend and Andrews, both playing a remarkably fast and clever game, the former's head work being greatly admired. Faulkner ran and shot in capital style, but met with a hard kick which, we are sorry to say, has confined him to his bed ever since. We wish him a speedy recovery. Singleton was very fast, but passed too often to Townsend when that player was hampered by the opponents. Ocock got very little to do, but that little he did in first class style.

The refereeing of Mr. Wilson was very accurate. Sides:-
Middlesex: King (Barnet Avenue), goal; Searle (Noel Park) and Slark (Barnet), backs; Brown (St. James's), Hilton (capt.) and Macleod (Hornsey United), half backs; Hart (Broadwater), Rees (Edmonton Minerva), Hawkins and Dew (Barnet Avenue) and Farrell (Hornsey United), forwards.
Kingston: Lanham (capt.) (Kingston Town), goal; Peck (Kingston Town) and Alexander (Hersham), backs; Richards (Rovers), Clark (Middle Mill) and Baker (Kingston Town), half-backs; Ocock (Kingston Town), Singleton (Hersham), Andrews (Kingston Rovers), Faulkner (Middle Mill) and Townsend (Kingston Town), forwards.
Linesmen. Messrs. Bourke and Shaw.

After the match 21 of the players, at the invitation of the Mayor, sat down to a high tea at the Cricketers, and were joined by some 20 visitors. The tea was served by Host Hunt, in his usual admirable manner, and the good things quickly disappeared. In the evening other friends swelled the numbers, and the large room was filled when an excellent smoking concert took place. In the unavoidable absence of Mr. W. J. Wilson, the chair was occupied by Mr. E. T. Coote, chairman of the North Middlesex League, while the vice-chair was ably filled by Mr. Harry Short, of the Kingston-on-Thames F.C.

Mr. W. G. Carn, chairman of the Kingston and District League, telegraphed from West Cowes- "Delighted with result; hope fellows will have a pleasant evening." Mr. Bert. Hall was at the piano, and opened the proceedings with a solo. Songs were then sung by Messrs. Garnham (3), G. Chamberlain, Sid. Hillier (whose references to the match were a decided hit), T. Wallace (2), G. Johnson, Beck, Wheeler, Aulderson, Stone, H. Short and F. G. Smith (3), the last-named coming in for loud applause. Mr. C. Aston gave an amusing recitation, and Mr. Hillier's mimetic sketch was very good. During the evening several toasts were honoured. Mr. Shaw proposed the North Middlesex League, and Mr. Slark replied; Mr. Lanham "the visiting team," Mr. Hilton replying "the home team" proposed by Mr. Coots, was responded to by Mr. Townsend; "The Kingston and District League," and "The Chairman." Mr. A. H. Marriott, captain of the Kingston Rugby Club, was also toasted, and in reply said he hoped that the friendly relations of the followers of both codes of football in the district would long continue. A most pleasant evening was brought to a close by the singing of the National Anthem.

Report from Surrey Comet dated 11 April 1896- see report in original format.