Team: Jows, Sturgess, Saunders (T), Ridout, Woosnam, Saunders (W), Druett, Stroud, Mackenzie, Teagle, Squires
Mr A. Turner acted as umpire (linesman) for the home side and Mr Allnatt likewise for the Rangers.
On Bank Holiday Monday, 30th March 1891, Rangers travelled to Wallingford, in Oxfordshire, for an end of season friendly.
Two days earlier, Rangers had been beaten,1-4 in the semi-final of the West London Observer Cup at the hands of Stanley.
The Berks & Oxon Advertiser reported on the game as follows:
‘A match between the representative teams of Queen’s Park Rangers (West London) and the Wallingford Club took place in the Croft (kindly lent by Mr Boughton) on the afternoon of Easter Monday.
The migration of certain Wallingford players to London leading to their initiation into the same football club, it was only natural that some three or four years ago the idea should have suggested itself of a match with the representatives of the “old town”.
For some years past, every Easter Monday has been devoted to a struggle between the two Clubs, until today it is recognised as an annual institution.
And it is only fair to add that whilst each year the match grows in popularity, the struggle for supremacy is as tough as on the first occasion.
The contests being always even and the excitement keen. This year proved no exception to the rule, one of the best games of the season being witnessed.
A large concourse of spectators assembled in the Croft, the attendance included a numerous gathering of ladies.
Unfortunately, the weather was not of the most favourable description; two heavy snow storms tending to greatly diminish the number of onlookers.
Shortly after three, the ball was set in motion by the Londoners, who dribbled it down towards the Wallingford fortress.
The home team, however, soon got possession, and working away with a will, Rogers landed the sphere just outside the visitors’ posts, a bye resulting.
Sturgess for some time resented the encroachment, but still the Wallingfordians pressed them, Gregory, Eason and Borlase sending in some good shots.
Druett, backed up by his brother forwards, now tried to tun the tables, but Jenkins and Howes temporarily beat them back.
They would not be denied though, and by some good combination work the goalposts were reached, but the President (Mr Edgar Field), kept the sphere well away from the point of danger, a succession of attacks at length, culminating in a bye.
Wallingford now got well away, a splendid shot by Eason within an ace of the London sticks evoking a round of applause.
For some time, the game was of a give-and-take character, a rush by the Rangers’ forwards, and an effective shot following, but on the grounds of offside, the point was disallowed.
Settling down to their work in real earnest, the Wallingfordians now proceeded to retaliate, Borlase, Gregory and Rogers, working hard on their respective wings.
A corner kick to Wallingford resulted in a badly placed shot, and Queen’s Park had a bye.
The Wallingford forwards, however, continued to make matters uncomfortably warm for their opponents, and Gregory crowned a successful dribble by a neat pass to Dodd, who sent the ball through the London posts amidst an enthusiastic cheer.
A heavy storm now came on, and the spectators were scattered to all parts of the field, but the game continued, and a second goal was placed to the credit of the Wallingfordians by the captain (Dodd), the achievement being hailed by a ringing cheer.
The first storm had scarcely abated ere another one, as cold and blinding as the first, swept over the town, depriving the rest of the game of much of its interest.
Just before the referee’s whistle blew, the Londoners put a goal to their credit, and the game therefore ended as follows: Wallingford, two goals, Queen’s Park Rangers, one. It will be remembered that last year the visitors won.
The players one and all exhibited good form. Gregory, Borlase, and Dodd did some splendid work for the Wallingfordians as forwards, and Morty (the Deputy-Mayor’s eldest son), acquitted himself in a most creditable and promising manner as half-back.
For the Rangers. Sturgess the back, rendered splendid service, and Druett, Mackenzie, and Teagle played well as forwards.’
Steve Russell
(Thanks to Colin Woodley for unearthing the match report)