September 16th, 1890

Association Football

Carlton V South Melbourne for Beaney Cup (final tie)

These clubs met to play off the drawn game for the final tie of the Beaney Cup at Middle Park on Saturday. Ross captained the South and Beeson the Carlton, and Mr Peters acted as referee. South won the toss and played with the wind. McKenzie kicked off and playing the ball forward, Beeson made off with it, and passing again, the ball was driven past.

From the goal kick, a run by Mann and Hartley transfered the play to Carlton's territory, but Clarke stopped it and sending it up the wing, Nicholson had a clear run but his shot went wide. South's forwards depended greatly on their backs' play, and waited for the ball to be returned. A nice run by Bathgate and Nicholson (Carlton) took the ball up the lagoon wing and a hard shot passed right across the goal, but Salmon punted out, and Miller secured it, and passing to Gibbs, Spence tackled, but Gibbs was too wary, and passing to Miller, who by a fine shot scored the first goal for South. Kicked off from the centre, the Carlton worked hard to equalise matters and Nicholson and Bathgate gave McPherson and Paton some trouble to stop their rushes. Mann and Hartley revelled, but the splendid tackling of Donaldson at half-back invariably foiled their efforts.

A run by McKenzie, who unexpectedly screwed the ball into the goal, gave Salmon barely time ot save it. A hand was given in front of South's goal and Beeson took the kick and sending the leather hard at goal, the ball just grazed McPherson and bounded through. The score was now 1 goal each.

Miller kicked and give and take play followed. McPherson (South) showed good defence, but the Carlton forwards proved too speedy at times ; but Salmon was equal to the demand. A run by Johnston and Gibb on the wing, Johnston shooting. Wilson caught and kicked out. Hartley returned it and Spence headed out, a corner kick resulting. Nothing came of it, the ball going behind. The centre forward got the leather from the kick off and passing about mid field Irvine and Irvine to Beeson, by a smart angle shot hoisted the second goal for Carlton. Half time was called without further scoring.

Miller kicked off. It was fully expected South, with the wind in their favour, would more than retrieve lost ground ; but contrary to expectation, the playwas pretty even and although their forwards played a good passing game, with Miller (their centre), out of form - having strained himself during the earlier part of the game - their efforts at goal failed. A run by Irvine on the left wing, and McPherson kicked behind. The ball was sent well into goal. McKenzie headed the ball over the bar. McKenzie continued doing some excellent work, often, snatching the ball away from his opponents' feet and by fast work outpaced the backs, but was unsuccesful in attempts at goal. The play play during this half was more contained to the road line, and when occasion served the backs transfered the play to the lagoon and some splendid runs made. Irvine got away and looked like scoring, but mulling the ball at the corner Wridgeway tackled and sent the ball upfield. Bathgate passed to Beeson in front of goal shooting, the ball rebounded, Irvine secured it, and by a low shot, was successful in sending it through. From the kick off Ross took the ball away and passing to man on the lagoon wing, that player shot straight for goal. A scrimmage resulted, but Spence headed out, and a run by McKenzie passing Paton, Ross and McPherson gave him a clear shot for goal, which missed narrowly.

It was evident that Carlton must win, but bearing last Saturday's experience in mind, no chance was given the South to repeat the performance, and the play during the last 10 minutes showed no alteration, the game resulting in a win for Carlton 3 goals to 1. Carlton have now held the Beaney Cup for 3 successive years, and the George and George Cup for a like period. Although the South were agina defeated, if they only stick together they ought to be at the top of the tree next season.

The following were the teams ; - South Melbourne : Goal, Salmon : backs, McPherson and Wridgeway ; half-backs, Paton, Ross and Spence : forwards, Mann, Johnston, Hartley, Johnson and Gibbs.

Carlton : Goal, Wilson : backs, Spence and Clarke : half-backs, Donaldson, Beeson and Walker : forwards, Irvine, Beeson, McKenzie, Bathgate and Nicholson