THE ENGLISH CUP SEMI-FINALS. The Fight at Sheffield—-North End De

Otago Witness, Issue 956, 16 May 1889, Page 27

THE ENGLISH CUP SEMI-FINALS. The Fight at Sheffield— -North End De-

FEAT THE AiBION AT LAST. — THE CeOWD Break Ik. (By " The Free Critic," in the Athtetic News.) The semi-final tie between North End and the Albion aroused as much enthusiasm as the noted tie at Perry Barr a little over 12 months ago, i and it was 1 a good move to have it played at Sheffield, for 'trips were run from almost every town in Lancashire and the ■ Midlands, whilst I should imagine nearly all the Sheffield folks turned out to see the first semi-final they have had in the birthplace of Association football. From noon the streets presented an animated appearance, the trippers whiling away the time as best they could in murky Sheffield, with cards with "Play up, North End," or "Play up, Albion," to denote which way their feelings ran. The railway offioials had a very busy time of it, but appeared to have made ample arrangements. So far as I could learn, about 2000 came from each of the towns most interested, though, unfortunately, one-half of those from West Bromwich had nothing but a dreary railway ride for their money, as they only arrived in Sheffield at 4.20. The teams were in bown early, North End patting up at their did quarters, the Royal, and the Albion staying at the Maunche. Each team had j its prominent supporters, Mr Sudell, Mr Banks, Alderman' Walmsley, Mr Joe Eccles, and others accompanying the North End, whilst the Albion had their mayor, the two secretaries, and I should imagine the whole of the committee. Brakes and 'buses were in plenty, and, goodness knows, they were needed, for there was a tremendous crowd bent on seeing the match. Some went down before 12 o'clock, and from that time until 3-30 the money takers were very busy.

North' End arrived about 10 njihutes 1 before the time' announced for the kick off,' and the Albion were not long after them; '• The ground had a very' imposing appearance, and in some places the crowd would be 30 deep, whilst the walls were packed, and even the roofs of the^stand and otjber buildings were occupied by an assortment of venturesome youths who meant to see the game at any cost. At this, time the arrange- 1 ments seemed admirable, and all was 'orderly, and I was silently congratulating Mr Haigh in having successfully coped with an extraordinary attendance, when, just as Baylies was ready to start the leather, the crowd at the bottom' goal showed a disposition to get nearer the field of play than they were entitled to do, and Mr Clegg used his persuasive powers very effectively, and the spectators, retired somewhat! The ball was then put in motion' before 24,000 persons, by far the largest number even seen in the famous cricket enclosure. ' ' When the game began the crowd behind the goals pulled off' their hats, and the effect 'of, a' large swaying concourse of spectators, being bareheaded was rather ghastly: The play started in favour of North End, and may be said ,to have continued so, for it was but seldom the Albion broke) away. Sam Thompson had a goal dis? allowed for off-side, and in 10 minutes -the game was stopped owing to the people in front of the pavilion getting over the touch line. ' Mr Clegg again [tried his quiet manner, but it was no use ; Mr Stacey could be seen motioning ; and Mr Smith joined his brother officials in an ineffectual attempt to convince the trespassers that they would be better outside. Then the players had " a go," and two stalwart policemen marched tip with an air of it-takes-us-to-make-'em move, but even their sticks and threats were unavailing. Then; the mayor, Alderman Clegg, seeing his son was in a quandary,' left the stand and elbowed his way through, &ndj amidst loud cheering, went to work on a system of bundling them, over one at'a time. If they would not go peaceably his Worship collared them and accelerated their movements, and presently' there was sufficient room left for the game to proceed, though after the Perry Barr jiasco we did not know 1 whether it was a Cup tie or ' not. j