Football.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume IX, Issue 958, 9 July 1881, Page 3

Football.

SOMETHING NEW FOR THE LADIES OE GISBORNE. An athletic novelty was presented to the Edinburgh public on Saturday afternoon in the form of a “ ladies’ football match,” which took place in Hibernian Park, Easter-road. The players were twenty-two young women —one half, we believe, being Scotch, and the other half English—who have formed themselves into an association for the purpose of popularising football as a feminine pastime, and at the same time, perhaps, pecuniarily bene-, fitting themselves. This they propose to do by playing public matches in different parts of the country, and having previously obtained some initiation in the laws and practice of the game, they on Saturday made their debut in what was termed an international match, the Scotch and English members of the association being divided into opposing teams. The team appeared in a costume essentially similar to that worn by male football players, consisting of jersey, knickerbockers, stockings, boots, and “ cowl,” with a sash depending from the waist —the Scotch team wearing blue jerseys and red sashes, and the English red jerseys and blue sashes. Most of the players were well-built, athletic-looking girls, and the teams looked exceedingly picturesque in their bright and tastefully arranged costumes. Some retained such feminine ornaments as frilling, bracelets, &c., but others, with arms bare to the shoulders, entered into the game with all the enthusiasm of boys. The match was played according to Association rules. At first it appeared as if the English team were to have the best of it, but, after half an hour’s brisk play, Miss Lilly St. Clare kicked the first goal for Scotland, and thenceforward the Scotch had it nearly all their own way. The match ended in favor of the Scotch by three goals to nothing. The play occasionally partook of the roughness which characterises the game as usually played ; there were frequent scrimmages, and now and then a tumble or two, which seemed to be greatly enjoyed by the spectators. — Penny Illustrated Times.