E. Simpson came on as a substitute for H. Hunt at Centre-Forward.
Match Report: Lancashire Daily Post: 1st April 1905: Courtesy Steve Bell
LEEDS CITY v. NORTH END.
At Leeds before a large attendance. The visitors won the toss, and played with a light breeze in their favour. They were soon pressing in the home territory, and a fruitless corner was obtained. Bond subsequently shot wide of the post. The City team changed the venue, and threatened the Preston citadel, but danger was relieved. Later Hunt had a beautiful centre from the left wing, but the expected goal resulted in the ball travelling wide. Smith carried the ball well away from the visitors' quarters, but finished with a bad shot. Rodway saved at a dangerous moment, and the ball, after hovering about the touchline, fell to the possession of Bond, who scored. North End were having the best of the game. Nice play by Turnbull and McKie was frustrated by the right back of the home team. Maher scored a second and Bond a third goal.
Half-Time:- North End 3, Leeds City 0
Resuming, Smith made a pretty run from the centre line practically unopposed, but his shot went wide. Exciting play raged in the North End goalmouth, McBride saving. Maher, however, had to come to the rescue. The home team played a more spirited game, and the visiting custodian was assailed several times, but the result was ineffectual. Austin had a couple of good chances, but placed the sphere badly. Eventually he scored from a corner.
Result:- NORTH END 4 LEEDS 1
Match Report: Yorkshire Evening Post: 1st April 1905: Courtesy Steve Bell
LEEDS CITY v. PRESTON NORTH END.
A FIRST LEAGUE TRIUMPH.
THE HOME TEAM FAIL TO PRODUCE LAST WEEK'S FORM.
Still another club of note appeared on the Leeds City ground, Holbeck, this afternoon, before a crowd estimated at 7,000. Preston North End provide a striking illustration of the triumph of the Association game over the Rugby code. Originally a cricket club with a rugby section, they could not compete with the Preston Grasshoppers and early in 1881 they threw over Rugby for Association. The result of that resolution is known the world over. For a decade they were the idols of the public, and the pioneers of professionalism. They showed the most scientific game ever seen, while their feat of winning the League Championship and the English Cup in one season (1888-89) without sustaining a single reverse has never been equalled. The writer well remembers their Cup-tie with Aston Villa in 1887. It was computed that there were about 20,000 people present, and such a sight had never been seen in the provinces. It was the first game at which £1,000 was taken, and the Birmingham public still retain bitter recollection of the result.
The present representatives of "Proud Preston", athough not the equals of their predecessors, have served their club well, resuming it from the Second Division of the League after a sojourn of three seasons. When play commenced the weather was fine, and the ground in excellent condition. North End, from the kick, worked the ball to the home quarters. Turnbull got possession, and crossed to the right. Maher received the leather, and Bond also joined in the movement, but the latter's shot was a wretchedly weak one, and badly directed for an International. Hunt, of Leeds City, early showed signs of foot weakness, but the home club forced the first corner. G. Howard's kick was a poor one, however, going behind. Soon after Austin initiated a fine move on the home left. He beat his man and centred for F. Howard, who was in a good position for scoring, but Spiksley was in a better one, Howard clung to the ball, however, and shot for goal, but the direction was bad, and McBride did not even handle the ball.
At length Rodway started a movement on behalf of Preston from his position at left back. He carried the ball beyond the halfway line on the opposite wing. McLean then joined in and in turn gave the ball to Maher. He quickly got to close quarters, but Clay, of Leeds, proved his master. Bond then came on the scene, and getting possession, ran close in and beat Mallinson in clever style, and the First Leaguers were in front. At this point Hunt left the field owing to lameness. As the game advanced Preston monopolised the exchanges. The home defence being subjected to great pressure. The home men failed to extend their opponents, consequently the football seen at times was purely of an exhibition description. Simpson eventually took Hunt's place, but before his appearance Maher scored Preston's second after a zig-zag run across the goalmouth. The North End frontline treated their task very lightly or probably goals would have been secured rather rapidly. Bond obtained a third goal for them after an oblique run from the right wing. F. Howard then gave way in the centre of the front line and went centre half, his place being occupied by Simpson. Austin and Spiksley showed the best form for Leeds, some of their movements being very pretty, but they were never pushed home, and the interval arrived with the score:-
Preston North End: 3 goals Leeds City: Nil
Losing no time the players swung round, and play continued in favour of the Leaguers. Austin scored for Leeds, from a well-placed corner by G. Howard, and Bond added to Preston's total.
RESULT:- PRESTON NORTH END 4 goals LEEDS CITY 1 goal
Match Report: Yorkshire Post: 3rd April 1905: Courtesy Steve Bell
LEEDS CITY v. PRESTON NORTH END.
Played at Holbeck, before 2,000 spectators. The game had not been in progress long when Hunt left the field, Simpson taking his place. The movement which led to the first goal was started by Rodway, the Preston left back, and he carried the ball beyond the centre on the opposite wing. Bond eventually obtained possession and running
close in gave Mallinson no chance. Maher scored a second goal, and Bond obtained a third goal with an oblique shot.
Half-time score:- Preston North End 3 goals to Leeds City none.
Play in the second half was more equal. The ball travelled from goal to goal, but the final efforts of the home front line were easily disposed of by McBride. Towards the close Leeds forced a corner, which was well-placed by G. Howard and Austin, receiving near the posts, scored. Just before the finish Bond scored for Preston, the game ending in North End's favour by four goals to one.
Teams:-
Preston North End: McBride, goal; Derbyshire and Rodway, backs; McLean, Hunter and Lyon, half-backs; Bond, Maher, Smith, Turnbull and Bourne, forwards.
Leeds City: Mallinson, goal; Lewis and Clay, backs; Bintcliffe, F. Howard and MacKay, half-backs; Bramall, G. Howard, Simpson, Spiksley and Austin, forwards.
Referee: Mr Jarvis, Leeds
N.B. the Lancashire Daily Post mentions (Daniel) McKie (an IL/OL) while the YP States (Dickie) Bourne as OL. It is possible there may have been a substitution as the YP also has Simpson and not Hunt as CF. They also seem at odds over the attendance.
