SUNDERLAND 1 v 0 DARLINGTON ST. AUGUSTINES 24th September 1887, Friendly Match
Mulvaney kicked off and the visitors were first to press with Hastings heading away a capital shot. Davison secured the ball and raced away up the left wing to exchange passes with Stewart and then drive the ball through the posts to put Sunderland ahead after 3 minutes play. Play was confined to visitors territory for some minutes and after Smith shot over the crossbar Rooney fired the ball across the face of goal where Davison only just failed to turn the ball home. Some capital passing by the visiting forwards took them to the other end where a corner was obtained. This was cleared and Davison and Monaghan took the leather up the left wing where Davison sent a shot into McGuires arms. Soon after McGuire saved again before the visitors broke away down the centre and menaced the home goal for a time. The home defence coped well but conceded a corner from which Ford charged down a splendid shot from Sheridan. Play returned to the Sunderland territory and a sharp scrimmage took place in front of the home goal that was eventually cleared by Rooney. He brought the ball away on the right and won a free kick that produced a good shot that was well saved by McGuire. A corner to Sunderland soon followed but it went behind the posts. W.Nolli put in a sharp run but was stopped by Stewart who cleared into the midfield. Monaghan made a determined effort to score but his shot struck the post and went out of play. Sunderland were awarded a free kick in the visitors goalmouth but it was wasted with a poor kick. J.Nolli conceded a corner in Sunderland's next attack but the home side were unable to force an opening. Erskine got the ball away and this led to a sharp attack on the home posts but eventually the home defence worked the ball upfield. Oliver secured possession and sent in a grand shot that McGuire fingertipped away for a corner. Back came St.Augustines and Kirtley made two saves in quick succession. Oliver and Dale led repeated home attacks without success and the visitors returned to home quarters without being able to level the scores. Soon after the restart the visitors won a corner but a free kick to the home side relieved the pressure. Sunderland returned to the attack and the play remained in St Augustines territory for some time. A free kick was sent between the post by the home side but it had not been touched by anyone and only a goal kick resulted. The game was very interesting with the sides being equally matched. Both ends were visited in turn with Kirtley making a couple of timely interceptions to preserve the home sides lead. The visitors made several sharp attacks and Kirtley and Ford were in grand form as the visitors narrowly missed equalising. Sunderland rallied and some capital passing from the home forwards saw the ball twice strike the uprights. Sunderland did get the ball through the posts after a scrimmage but it was disallowed for a handball. The home side continued to attack but they were well met and were beaten off. Shortly before the close the visitors had a spell of attacking and the play was very exciting but a superb game ended in a 1-0 victory for Sunderland. Both sides deserve fulsome praise for their efforts. Sunderland: Kirtley, Hastings, Ford, Richardson, Dale, Oliver, Stewart, Rooney, Smith, Monaghan, Davison. St Augustines: McGuire, Ryan, Nolli(J), Irwin, Nolli (W), Keelan, Prior, Erskine, Sheridan, Mulvey, Mulvaney Referee: Mr Featherstone Attendance: 4,000 ____________________ So there you go. You have just red an account of Sunderland AFC's very first game in red and white stripes. A very important part of the club's history brought to life over 120 years after the event.
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Darlington St Augustines visited Sunderland for the 1st time this season on a fine day for a game which drew a crowd of fully 4,000 spectators to Newcastle Road.