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1898-99 Thames & Medway Combination

First Team Competition

SHEPPEY UNITED

Botany Road

0 - 1

1 September 1898

Moore, Tranter, Marjeram, Chisholm, McEwan, McEachrane, Foss, Adams, Atkinson, Reid J., Hird

Thames Ironworks first match as a professional side.
H. Trainer the Sheppey centre-forward and scorer of the only goal of the match was capped 3 times by Wales in 1894-95 whilst a Wrexham player. Marjeram the Irons full-back was previously with Swanscombe and at the time was on the books of Aston Villa as an amateur.

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Sheppey United:
Osborne, Penney, MacFarlane, Leith, Abbott, Walker, Lissenden, Collins, Trainer, Harrison, Peters.

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR

Northumberland Park

0 - 3

3 September 1898

Moore, Tranter, Marjeram, Chisholm, McEwan, McEachrane, Foss, Hay, Atkinson, Reid J., Hird

There was an attendance of 4,500 at Northumberland Park, one of the highest Ironworks had played in front of in their 4 year history. "The Sportsman" reported: Thames Ironworks have gone to considerable expense in enlisting the services of players with the ability since last season. They have cast aside amateurism in an effort to get an XI capable of holding their own and also of drawing the public.
The teams played in hot summer weather, which proved very trying to the players. Ironworks kicked off against a glaring sun, and had all the worst of the exchanges from the start. Owing to some capital play in goal, by Moore, and resolute kicking of Marjeram and Tranter, the backs, they only scored one in the first half. Bradshaw heading through. After half-time Reid, the inside-right of Thames Ironworks was unable to take the field, having strained his knee rather badly just befor the interval. Some pretty runs by the home forwards, who were splendidly fed by McNaught and Stormont, ended in Cameron scoring a second goal. Shortly before the close McKay put on a third point for Tottenham with a dinking shot.

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Tottenham Hotspur:

Hall, Melia, Cain, Jones, McKnaught, Stormont, Smith T., McKay, Joyce, Cameron, Bradshaw

NEW BROMPTON

Priestfield Stadium

1 - 4 (Brett)

7 September 1898

Rafter, Tranter, Marjeram, Dove, Lloyd, McEachrane, Hird, Brett, Hay, Gresham, Foss

Small attendance at this game. Fair opening play and home side much smarter. The Ironworks lacking combination. After 6 minutes Rafter failed to hold a Frettingham shot and Lennox scored. Visitors responded with several determined but unsuccessful attacks against an inpenetrable home defence. Cmpbell scored a second for New Bromton after first hitting an upright. Before half-time Grieve beat Rafter with a splendid shot for goal number three. Play slackened in the second period. Brett scored for the Ironworks before Frettingham added a fourth for the hime side.

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New Brompton:

Bunyan, King, Watson, Hutcheson, Arthurton, Graham, Grieve, McDonald, Frettingham, Lennox, Campbell

GRAVESEND UNITED

Overcliffe Ground

2 - 5 (Gresham, Hird)

13 September 1898

Moore, Lloyd, Marjeram, McEachrane, Neil, Barker, Hird, Hay, Atkinson, Gresham, Cobb

There was a small attendance, and the weather was still fine, but hot. Gravesend had the advantage of wind and sun in the first-half, and, from a combined run, the ball was centred by Garfield, and Mobley scored for the home side in the first minute. The Ironworks played a dashing game, and Gresham levelled in the 7th minute. Gravesend went ahead again three minutes later through Hulme. Two minutes afterwards Bull fouled close in, and Atkinson missed the penalty for Thames in the 12th minute when he kicked outside. Hird restored parity in the 23rd minute. At half time it was still 2-2.
Gravesend's slack play in the second period almost allowed the visitors to grab a lead but Ross put the home side ahead with a good shot. Soon afterwards Wilkinson brought off a splendid save. Further loose play followed in Gravesend's back rnk - specially by Barbour - and then there was a sensational ending. In the last 20 minutes Gravesend scored three times including two in 2 minutes by Garfield and another by Ross to make it 5-2.

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Gravesend United:

Wilkinson, Davis, Barber, Bull, Regan, Mathews, Garfield, Hulme, Mobley, Tomlinson, Ross

CHATHAM

Memorial Grounds

1 - 2 (Adams)

6 October 1898

Rafter, Tranter, Lloyd, Dove, Hay, McEachrane, Foss, Davies, Adams, Gresham, Cobb

The 'Ironworks' suffered their fifth successive defeat in the Thames & Medway Combination when they went down 1-2 at Canning Town to Chatham. Chatham were having far the better of play when Adams scored for home side. A free-kick by Harper levelled the scores. In the second half Chatham were nearly always attacking but their shooting was woefully weak. After 70 minutes Lawrence put them into a winning lead.

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Chatham:

Fraill, Dunn, Harper, Perrins, Chapman, Smith, Johnson, Lawrence, Brearley, Clements, Johnston

GRAYS UNITED

Memorial Grounds

2 - 0 (Butler, Gresham)

22 October 1898

Rafter, Tranter, Dove, Chisholm, Hitch, McEachrane, Reynolds, Adams, Reid J., Gresham, Buller

At Half-time in the Thames & Medway Combination match against 'Grays United'. Referee McGregor wishes to change the ball. The Grays players objected and an heated argument developed which lasted several minutes. The report stated that common sense prevailed but not whether the referee got his way.

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Grays United:

Line-up Unknown

CHATHAM

Maidstone Road Ground

0 - 1

16 November 1898

Moore, Tranter, Marjeram, Dove, McEwan, Chisholm, Hird, Reid J., Lloyd, Gresham, McEachrane

After a collison between Dove and Chapman the referee called all the players together and gave them a short lecture. Tranter handled and gave away a penalty by Johnson who shot yards wide. In the 80th minute Brearley received from Johnson and got the decider. The visitors defence played splendidly and none better than Moore in their goal. McEachrane hurt his leg near the end and had to leave the field.

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Chatham:

Fraill, Harper, Dunn, Perrins, Chapman, Slater, Lawrence, McNeil, Brearley, Clements, Johnston

ROYAL ENGINEERS TRAINING BATTALION

Chatham

1 - 0 (McEachrane)

19 November 1898

Moore, Tranter, Marjeram, Dove, McEwan, Chisholm, Hird, Reid J., Lloyd, Gresham, McEachrane

After 5 minutes a bully took place in front of the R.E's goal and McEachrane scored the only goal of the game. Then Lloyd struck a post. Marjeram tripped May but Moore stopped May's penalty kick. Shortly after second half Symons was hurt and forced to leave the field, Dove was also badly kicked in the left leg and he likewise took no further part.

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Royal Engineers Training Battalion:

Haywood, Blaber, Kinnear, Finn, Ferrier, Edwards, May, Hargett, Symons, McRoberts, Dadswell

GRAVESEND UNITED

Memorial Grounds

30 November 1898

Match Postponed

Thames Ironworks fixture with Gravesend in the Thames and Medway Combination was postponed without any prior warning. A considerable number of people had gathered at the Memorial Grounds and after waiting for some time dispersed disappointed.

DARTFORD

Memorial Grounds

1 - 0  (Reid J.)

10 December 1898

Moore, Tranter, Marjeram, Dove, McEwan, Chisholm, Hird, Reid J., Reynolds, Hay, McEachrane

Russell the visitors goalie earned the praises of the Canning Town crowd with a brave performance. The visitors played for 70 minutes with only 9 men Atkinson and Nichols both retired hurt.

 

Dartford:

Russell, Flaherty, Broughton, Brown, Boyle, Armstrong, Brett, Atkinson, Nicholls, Bryan, Thompson

GRAYS UNITED

Bridge Road Ground

2 - 1 (Lloyd 2)

7 January 1899

Moore, Marjeram, Neil, Hird, Chisholm, McEachrane, Reynolds, Hounsell, Lloyd, Reid J., Gresham

REPORT:

 

Grays United:

Keegan, Edwards, Forrester, Freeman, Hitch, Mabelson, Mann, Whitehouse, Bundock, Hills, Buller

GRAVESEND UNITED

Memorial Grounds

2 - 1 (Lloyd, Reynolds)

2 February 1899

Moore, Tranter, Dunn, Hird, Dove, McEachrane, Reynolds, Allan, Lloyd, Reid J., Leonard

Reynolds a former Gravesend player scored for Thames in the 10th minute. Lloyd got the second just after the break. Irons' had hoped to play their three new Warmley signings (McManus, Henderson and George Reid) but a delay in the transfers prevented this. The Gravesend goal came from a penalty awarded when Tranter handled.

 

Gravesend United:

Wilkinson, Barbour, Struthers, Bull, Regan, Davis, Garfield, Hulme, Mobley, Manson, Ross

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR

Memorial Grounds

2 - 1 (Hird, Reid)

16 March 1898

Moore, Tranter, Dunn, Dove, McManus, McEachrane, Hird, Reid J., Henderson, Reid G., Leonard

Kick-off was scheduled for 3:45 but didn't actually take place until 4:15pm. The attendance was over 2,000 in fine seasonal weather. Play was in progress only a few seconds when Bradshaw of Spurs got the ball in 'Thames' net. The goal was disallowed for off-side. After 12 minutes J. Reid scored following a 'bully' in front of the Tottenham posts. Joyce levelled the scores before Half-time. Fifteen minutes from the close Hird scored the winner.

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Tottenham Hotspur:

Cullen, Errentz, Cain, McNaught, Jones, Stormont, Smith T., Atherton, Joyce, Cameron, Bradshaw

NEW BROMPTON

Memorial Grounds

1 - 2 (Lloyd)

30 March 1898

Moore, Tranter, Dunn, Dove, McManus, McEachrane, Reynolds, Lloyd, Henderson, Reid G., Gilmore

New Brompton challenging for the Thames & Medway Combination championship considered this a very vital game and treated it so. The attendance of 600 was very disappointing. Thames were without J. Reid and Leonard. New Brompton led by two goals for a very long time, the scorers being Frettingham and Grieve until Lloyd reduced arrears with just 3 minutes left. This was the first defeat of the Ironworks in 20 Southern League and Thames & Medway Combination fixtures going back to November 17, 1898.

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New Brompton:

Bunyoun, King, Robertson, Inns, Atherton, Graham, Gladwell, Grieve, Frettingham, White, Gallacher

ROYAL ENGINEERS TRAINING BATTALION

Memorial Grounds

2 - 1 (Hird, Lloyd)

1 April 1899

Moore, Tranter, Marjeram, Chisholm, McManus, McEachrane, Hird, Lloyd, Henderson, Reid J., Gilmore

Attendance not as large as usual - the slight shower just before kick-off may have discouraged many. Hird scored in the first half and Lloyd in the second.

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Royal Engineers Training Battalion:

Line-up Unknown

DARTFORD

Summers Meadow

2 - 1 (Henderson, Lloyd)

3 April 1899

Moore, Tranter, Harper, Chisholm, McManus, McEachrane, Hird, Lloyd, Henderson, Reid J., Gilmore

REPORT:

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Dartford:

Russell, Broughton, Cross, Brown, Boyle, Flahrty, Gray, Thomson, Nicholls, Bailey, Bellchambers

SHEPPEY UNITED

Memorial Grounds

3 - 2 (Reid J. 2, Henderson)

20 April 1899

Moore, Tranter, Dunn, Chisholm, Dove, McEachrane, Lloyd, Reynolds, Henderson, Reid J., Leonard

Henderson and Reid gave Thames a two-goal lead before Peters cut it back. Reid restored to two goal difference before Lissenden got a second for the visitors.

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Sheppey United:

Cotton, Osborne, Penny, McFarlane, Osbourne, Jenner, Harrison, Peters, Collins, Lissenden, Barker

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