The final match in Division I of the Kingston and District Football League was played last Saturday between Kingston-on-Thames and Walton St. Mary's, in a field near Kingston Barracks.

A victory in this game would have placed Kingston at the head of the list, but this was not to be. The long grass was much against correct football, and consequently the play was not exciting. At one time Kingston were leading by three goals to one, but faulty goalkeeping let them down, and they were ultimately beaten by four goals to three.

Report from Surrey Comet dated 7 May 1898- see report in original format.


THE LAST OF THE LEAGUE MATCHES.
Football came to an end in this district last Saturday, when Kingston met Walton St. Mary's in a replayed game in the league competition. It was on the result of this match that the destiny of the cup was to be decided, for had Kingston been fortunate enough in winning, the honour of holding the trophy for another season would have been theirs.

Their failure, however, opened up the way for Brentford A, who according to the league's rules are returned the winners. The game was played in a field off Latchmere-lane and a fair assemblage of spectators were present. One great drawback was the length of the grass and this quite spoilt the game and made the pace very slow. Mis-kicks were plentiful, and when low passes were attempted the ball was invariably brought to a standstill by the grass. Combination was almost out of the question, yet some good collective efforts were executed.

The Walton forwards gave plenty of trouble during the first portion of the game, and on changing over they increased their energy, with the result that they ran out winners by four goals to three. When Kingston early in the second half increased their lead to three goals to one it appeared a foregone comclusion, but Walton is a team that is never beaten till time is sounded, and nothing daunted they set to work with a will and speedily gained the ascendancy, scoring three goals in very quick time.

Baker was certainly responsible for two of these by errors of judgment. Kingston were poorly represented, Lambert and Andrews being notable absentees, whilst their opponents had almost all their regular team.

Report from Kingston & Surbiton News dated 7 May 1898- see report in original format.



WALTON ST. MARY'S v. KINGSTON.
Re-played League Match.
This League game, on the result of which Kingston were to win or lose the Hunt Cup, was played at Kingston, on Saturday last, in the presence of a large number of spectators, and resulted in a win for the Saints, after an exciting game, by 4 goals to 3. The match was the outcome of a protest lodged by Kingston on the occasion of a former match (when the Saints won by 5-1), against one the Saints players, who, they alleged, was a senior player.

Walton were ordered by the League Executive to lose the two points they had obtained by winning the match, because their playing the said senior man, but Kingston, not satisfied with this decision, took the matter to the County Association. An Emergency Committee of that body, without knowing the full facts of the case, ordered the match to be re-played, and thus the Saints played Kingston again last Saturday.

Owing to all available grounds being in use for cricket Kingston got a private field, that had never been played on by either team before. The grass was very long and although the same for both sides, it handicapped the wing dribbling, which the Saints indulge in, very much.

At 4.15 the Saints started the leather against a strong wind and sun, and Kingston quickly caused them to act on the defensive, the backs clearing several rushes nicely. The visiting forwards got away, and Warner placed the ball neatly in the net, but was declared off-side. Give and take play followed. A corner was forced at either end, each being cleared. Kingston again pressed and White tried Dangerfield with a warm shot, which he cleared.

King got possession and shot at close quarters, giving Dangerfield no chance, thus scoring the first goal for Kingston. White followed with a grand shot, striking the top of the cross bar. Walton transferred and Baker was called on to save a low shot. Kingston left broke away, Lee stopping, but again receiving the ball from the back division, Cunliffe sent in a strong shot, Dangerfield saving.

Bailey cleared with a big kick and Parsons took up the field. Passing into Warner, that player again found the net only to be awarded offside once more. From the free kick the home left attacked and Forster scored Kingston's second.

The Saints now had to lose "Curly," who had been playing soundly, White kicking him accidentally in the stomach. Things did not look at all rosy for the Saints, but they played up pluckily and were rewarded by their first goal shortly before half-time, Francis rushing the custodian and ball through.

The teams crossed over with Kingston leading by 2-1, and the visitors thought that they would give their opponents a warm time with the wind behind them. They commenced pressing with four forwards, one standing back in "Curly's" place. Francis put in two shots, but both were cleared and Kingston travelled up the field, Vincent finishing up some good play by scoring No. 3 and down went the spirits of the Saints' supporters.

"Curly" again appeared on the field after 20 minutes' absence and received a hearty ovation. Not being equal to the strain of half-back play, he took up the position of inside right. Walton for some ten minutes now had all the best of matters and after some hard luck, Broomhead placed a second goal to their credit with a well-directed shot.

An exciting rough-and-tumble ensued in the mouth of the Kingston goal, but the homesters cleared, Hutchinson putting in some fine work. Keeping up the pressure through some good forward play Francis equalised with a low shot which Baker "muffed." Kingston now played an additional back and indulged in very milky play, kicking out repeatedly to waste time. The home forwards threatened and Francis placed Broomhead to give the backs extra assistance as they were being hard pressed. This had the desired effect and Kingston were again pressed back.

Francis got possession and with a grand shot, placed the Saints one ahead. Both teams played for all they were worth until the whistle blew a few minutes later, but the score remained unaltered. The Saints thus gained a hard-fought and well deserved victory as above.

Undoubtedly on the day's play the best team won, and every player distinguished himself by playing a sound and unselfish game. It is noteworthy that during the whole of the match, not a foul was awarded against either side, and taking into consideration how the result of the game might effect Kingston, they played a very fair game.

The referee was Mr. Burgess, who, it is needless to say, was independent of either team.

Report from Surrey Herald dated 7 May 1898- see report in original format.


KINGSTON AND DISTRICT LEAGUE.
WALTON ST. MARY'S v. KINGSTON
At the first meeting of these clubs in March, on the Kingston Fairfield, when the Saints proved successful by five goals to one, Kingston protested on the ground that the Saints were playing an ineligible player. The protest has been upheld by the S.C.F.A., who ordered the match to be replayed.

The two teams, therefore, met on Saturday last at Kingston before a fair number of spectators. As this match decided whether Kingston or Brentford would win the cup, great interest was shown, the honesters being favourites. Kingston won the toss, and elected to play with the wind in their favour.

Fifteen minutes from the start Kingston scored the first goal. The Saints now went away with a rush, Warner scoring, but the point was ruled offside. From a good run down by the homesters' right wing King scored a second goal for Kingston.

Walton made tracks for their opponents' goal, Warner again scoring. but was ruled offside. Just before half-time Francis rushed the ball through, scoring the first goal for the Saints. When half-time mine the scores read-Kingston 2 goals, Walton 1 goal.

Play in the second half was in marked contrast to the first, when Kingston had the best of the game. Upon resuming the Saints pressed, but their shooting was erratic. Kingston, however, scored a third goal through Vincent, but the Saints immediately added another. Broomhead scoring with a long shot.

Walton continued to have the best of the game, and soon after equalised. Both teams now made great efforts to increase their scores. Just on time Walton put on the fourth and winning goal, the scores at the close reading-Walton St. Mary's 4 goals, Kingston 3 goals.

Report from Woking Observer dated 5 May 1898- see report in original format.