Portsmouth v. Midhurst
Portsmouth F.C. v. Midhurst is a football result published in The Evening News (Portsmouth) on 23 november 1885.
Arthur Conan Doyle's team (Portsmouth Football Club) won 3-2 vs Midhurst.
Arthur Conan Doyle played under the pseudonym "A. C. Smith".
Article
PORTSMOUTH F.C. v. MIDHURST. — This match, under Association rules, was played at Midhurst on Saturday, and ended in favour of the visitors, although they were a man short and had a substitute in goal. Portsmouth won the toss, and for some little time after Midhurst had kicked off the ball was kept freely travelling backwards and forwards. At last, however, Godfrey, who dribbled throughout the game in brilliant style, succeeded in taking the leather up to the home citadel and very neatly kicked a goal. Midhurst played up, and a sharp bit of pissing resulted in Midhurst equalising matters. Before ends were changed, however, the visitors registered another point, Godfrey again making a fine run with the ball, but the goal-keeper just managed to push the leather back, when Huddy, who had backed up well, put it between the posts. In the second half Midhurst again scored, and also kicked a third goal, but it was disallowed an appeal having been made for "hands." From the free kick Portsmouth got the ball well up, but nothing followed. Both sides then put forward every nerve. The local captain (Mr J B. Armstrong), on coming forward, made some smart runs, and was efficiently supported in the right wing ; but his kicks for goal were not carefully directed. The visitors, on remaining the leather, ran it up the ground, and, after some rapid passing, Godfrey contributed the winning goal for his side by a splendid shot, For the Portsmouth Club, which was thus victorious by three goals to two, all the forwards did most creditably, while J. Poole and A. C. Smith deserve special mention among the backs. Portsmouth team: Goal, Bond ; backs, A. C. Smith and R. Hemingsley ; half-backs, J. Poole and W. C. Adames (captain); centre forward, A. H. Godfrey ; right wing, H. Brooks and T. Huddy ; left wing, P. Russell and Dawson.
