Team: Kingsley, Lyon, Newlands, Whyte, Hitch, Downey, Thompson, Sugden, Yenson, Ryder, Roberts
Attendance: 4,000
On 30th October 1905, Rangers took on Southampton at Park Royal in a Western League fixture. The following match report appeared in the Bournemouth Daily Echo the next day:
‘The Saints, with the team that drew at Fulham on Saturday, played a Western League match at Park Royal, on Monday, being the possessors of an unbeaten certificate.
Losing the toss, the Saints kicked off. However, the Rangers looked like getting through almost at the start, but were repulsed, first through Sugden fouling, and then through Hitch shooting wide.
A score was bound to come, though, as the home team pressed constantly, and it was only the reward of splendid play when Sugden opened the scoring from ten yards range.
For a time play was of a scrambling order, but at length Burrows allowed himself to be tempted out of goal by Thompson, and the winger centering at the proper moment, Yenson headed through.
In less than five minutes the score was supplemented by another from Ryder in a scramble, and before half-time Roberts notched a fourth, while Burrows, in fielding a drive from Downing, allowed himself to be bundled over his goal line by the home forwards. Interval:- Rangers, 5; Saints, 0.
On resuming, Kingsley was tested with a hot shot by Tomlinson, but the old “Hammer,” by means of a semi-diving movement, saved his charge.
When next called upon, however, Kingsley had to admit defeat from Soye. After a nice run the Southampton forward finished up with a terrific drive into the net.
Shortly afterwards the home goalkeeper was again beaten, but he had been tackled before the leather reached him, and, despite the vigorous protests of the Southampton players, Mouncher’s point did not count.
The Saints played in vastly improved form this half.’
Rangers lost 1-2 to Southampton the following Saturday in a Southern League fixture.
Steve Russell
(Thanks to Colin Woodley for sending me the match report)