N8's Role in Launching Women's Football

Thanks to my close friend from university, Sue Batceheler, for spotting this wee gem:

On 23rd March 1885, the first official football match played by women took place in Crouch End. The players were organised into teams that represented North and South London.

The Sportsman newspaper wrote:

True, young men would run harder and kick more strongly, but, beyond this, I cannot believe that they would show any greater knowledge of the game or skill in its execution. I don't think the lady footballer is to be snuffed out by a number of leading articles written by old men out of sympathy both with football as a a game, and the aspirations of the young new women. If the lady footballer dies, she will die hard.

(But I don't know who won!).