KINGSTON-ON-THAMES V. WALTON ST. MARY'S.-
This match was played on the Fairfield, Kingston, on Saturday. The home team were without A. R. Short and Tully, but were otherwise fully represented, but their play was very disappointing. The visitors, on the other hand, were very smart, and combined capitally. The result was an easy win for St. Mary's by 5-1.

Report from Surrey Comet dated 29 January 1898- see report in original format.


SPORTING NOTES.
KINGSTON, to the surprise of their supporters, lost to Walton St. Mary's on Saturday by five goals to one. The local club were beaten at all points, and their vanquishers gained many admirers by their accurate and skilful style. Scarcely five minutes had elapsed after the commencement of the game when St. Mary's opened the scoring, and at the end of the first portion they were leading be two goals to nil.

In the final stage it was thought that Kingston would at the least equalize, but this anticipation was not fulfilled, although they did manage to squeeze one through, to which St. Mary's responded with thrice that number. The game, taken on the whole, was not one-sided. There were many items of interest to attract the spectators' attention and excitement was at times pronounced.

Walton's success lay in their speed and the clever manner in which they turned any opening to advantage. When once the forwards got possession, danger was always threatened, and on several occasions they travelled the greater part of the length of the field with the ball within easy reach of all. Francis, the visiting centre forward, was the best man on the field, being unselfish almost to a fault, but never failing to keep his wings going, of whom Collins and Broomhead were always prominent.

The halves played a worrying game and hardly once did they allow the home forwards to get into working order. Their goalkeeper too, was a useful player. Mawson is to be blamed to a small extent for the heavy scoring, but does not deserve the condemnation so freely heaped upon him. A pair of uncertain backs had also not a little to do with their opponents. heavy score, Richards was quite "off", and Hutchison, although not great, was yards ahead of him.

The half-backs were variable, of whom Cunliffe made the most strenuous efforts, and rendered but little assistance to their forwards. Little need be said of the forward line; combination was lacking. Vincent showed lack of practice and gave small aid to Ocock, who thus had no chance, and of the others Foster was the best. Mr. Lumley, R.A., refereed with credit, although he failed to please the home supporters, a defeat apparently not being to their liking.

Report from Kingston & Surbiton News dated 29 January 1898- see report in original format.


WALTON ST. MARY'S V. KINGSTON
KINGSTON AND DISTRICT FOOTBALL LEAGUE
Several hundred spectators turned out to witness the above match, which was decided on the Kingston Fairfield on Saturday.

At 3 o'Clock Kingston started the ball rolling, and immediately made tracks for the Saints' goal, but Freeland retrieved, and the visitors' right wing took the ball down, Collins shooting wide. The Saints continued to have the best of the opening part of the game, and Broomhead obtained possession of the ball. Cleverly passing he opponents backs, that player finished his run with a grand long shot, which completely beat the home custodian, scoring the first goal of the match for the visitors within ten minutes of the kick-off.

The Kingston left wing was now conspicuous for some pretty passing, but Brown and Freeland tackled their run in good fashion. Andrews, however, had a few shots at goal, but the ball just skimmed the bar. Play continued for a time fairly even, the ball being rushed from one goal to the other. The Saints' forwards made a combined rush towards the homesters' uprights, the custodian having to stop three shots in succession. Foster and Andrews again took the ball up the wing, Andrews shooting wide. Francis, ten minutes before the interval, scored the second goal for the visitors, and nothing further resulting, half-time arrived with the scores Walton St. Mary's two goals, Kingston nil.

Upon resuming Kingston pressed the Saints, whose backs, however, cleared their lines. Kingston had several shots at goal, Dangerfield being called upon to save. Bailey relieved, and Collins and Broomhead now rushed towards the home goal, Hutchinson having to concede a corner.

From a neat pass by Francis Collins scored the third goal for the Saints, and four minutes later scored a fourth with a clever shot. Kingston made great efforts to score, and owing to a mistake on the part of the Saints' goalkeeper Andrews scored an easy goal for his side.

The homesters returned to the attack, but could not pierce the sound defence of their opponents. Francis, from a centre from Parsons, scored the fifth and last goal for the Saints, and when the whistle blew for time the scores read Walton St. Mary's five goals, Kingston one.

The result was quite unexpected; but on the day's play the better team won, and the Saints fully deserved their victory. This is the first time Kingston have been defeated in this competition.

Report from Surrey Advertiser dated 29 January 1898- see report in original format.


KINGSTON AND DISTRICT FOOTBALL LEAGUE
WALTON ST. MARY'S v. KINGSTON.
Several hundred spectators turned out to witness the above match, which was decided on the Kingston Fairfield last Saturday.
At three o'clock Kingston started the ball rolling, and immediately made tracks for the Saints'. goal, but Freeland relieved, and the visitors' right wing took the ball down. Collins shooting wide. The Saints continued to have the best of the opening part of the game. and Broomhead now obtained possession of the leather. Cleverly eluding the opposing backs, that player finished his run with a grand long shot which completely beat the home custodian, scoring the first goal of the match for the Saints within ten minutes of the kickoff.

The homesters' left wing was now responsible for some pretty combination, but Brown and Freeland tackled their men in good fashion, and for a time averted danger. Andrews, however, had is few shots at long range, just missing the goal. Play continued for a time fairly even, the ball being rushed from one goal to the other. The Saints' forward row made a combined rush for the Kingston goal, the custodian having to save three successive shots.

Andrews and Forster again obtained possession, but at the last moment the former shot wide. Ten minutes before the interval Francis scored with a low shot the second goal for the Saints, and when half-time arrived, the score read: Walton St. Mary's, 2; Kingston, nil.

Upon resuming, Kingston attacked strongly, but Dangerfield cleared his charge well, and Collins and Broomhead were now conspicuous for some neat runs, from one of which Hutchinson had to concede a corner. From a pretty pass from Francis, Collins scored the third goal which was five minutes later followed by another from the same player, bringing the score up to four goals to none in the Saints favour.

Kingston now made desperate efforts to score and owing to a mistake on the part of the Saints' goalkeeper and one of the backs, Andrews scored an easy goal for Kingston.

The homesters again made tracks for the Saints' goal but the opposing defence was too strong for them. Parsons made a run up the ring, passing to Francis, who scored the fifth and last goal for the Saints. Nothing further was scored, and when the whistle blew for time the scores were: Saints, 5; Kingston, 1.

This result was quite unexpected but on the day's play the better team won, ,and the Saints fully deserved their victory. This is the first defeat suffered by Kingston in this competition.
Walton St. Mary's Team.- W. Dangerlield, goal; W. C. Woodroff and J. Bailey, backs; W. Wales, C.A. Brown and A. C. Freeland, halves; H. Parsons, E. Rosewell, H.G. Francis, W.A. Broomhead and E.C. Collins, forwards.

Report from Surrey Herald dated 29 January 1898- see report in original format.


What was the matter with the Kingston-on-Thames Association team last Saturday?- is a question that has freely been asked during the pest week, and it is a question not easily answered. No excuse whatever can be made for their poor display, as they were near about at their full strength. Suffice it to say that Walton St. Mary's, the winners of the second division of the League last season, took two points off Kingston in the first division, winning comfortably by five goals to one. The St. Mary's are a smart team, and have an excellent combination. It will be interesting to note how the Kingsston-on-Thames men will shape to-day against Sutton in their Surrey Junior Cup tie on the Kingston Barracks ground. At any rate it is to be hoped they will give a better account of themselves than they did last Saturday.

Notes from Surrey Comet dated 29 January 1898- see report in original format.