Known to be the first ever match played by Trowbridge.
There were few other matches played due to the blizzards in January 1881.
Some matches were played under Rugby or a combination of Rugby and Association rules!
Match Report as published:
The football club which has been recently started in Trowbridge, and which already numbers 8O playing and honorary members, was inaugurated on Saturday under very favourable circumstances. The club has for its president Mr. W. H. Long. M.P., Mr. F. M. Willis is captain and secretary, and Mr. B. J. Olding treasurer, On Saturday afternoon the club opened the season by playing a victorious match, on their own ground at the top of Timbrell Street, against the Bradford club. Play began at 3:30, and the visitors winning the toss, they naturally selected the end that gave them the wind and the sun in their favour. The Trowbridge men bad the kick off, and soon after the ball had been started a goal was kicked for Bradford by Mr. W. Price. No other goal was obtained during the first half of the game, although the Bradford goal several times in danger. When ends were changed at half time, the Trowbridge club were able to show to more advantage, and a goal was soon kicked by Mr. H. Knight, after a good dribble by Mr. F. W. Stancomb. It was, however, objected to by the Bradford club on the ground tnat Mr. Knight was off-side, and Mr. Willis decided to forego the claim. Three more goals, kicked by Messrs. Newcombe, W. Webb, and F. M. Willis, were obtained by the Trowbridge team during the remainder of the game, the Bradford team being penned to their half daring the whole of this time. The Trowbridge players were the following: Half-backs —F. W. Stancomb, F. Frame ; Forwards—F. M. Willis (Capt), W. Webb, Newcombe (2), S. Shum, W. Carey, A. Spackman, H. J. Olding, H. Knight and Bannister (goal). Bradford: Rev. W. N. C. Wheeler, Captain, Messrs. A. J. Brown, H. Chivera, J. E. Jennings, F. G. Jennings, G. Melksham, C. Patrick, W. Price, Saunders, H. Taylor, C. Vermeil, and F. W. Wilkins. Mr. H. M. Webb officiated as umpire.
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