The match was played at Cathkin Park in Crosshill (today part of Glasgow) on 21 February 1880 and was watched by a crowd estimated as anything between 5,000[1] and 8,000[2][3] spectators.
[5] Ker 44' Although Thornliebank was the holder of the Renfrewshire Cup, the match did not generate as much excitement as in previous years, as the result was considered a foregone conclusion; Queen's Park being "superior in all points to their opponents".
The favourites kept up the pressure throughout the first half, occasional relief coming from long clearances by Wham, but the Thornliebank forwards "were unable to cope with the opposition", so could never retain possession for any meaningful time.
After two more saves from Cadden, Queen's Park doubled its lead on the stroke of half-time, a "very hard shot" from Ker deflecting in off a defender, an appeal against an earlier foul not finding any sympathy from the officials.
The second half repeated the pattern of the first, with Queen's putting pressure on that was only occasionally relieved; as the match went on, Thornliebank did begin to create more chances, but its two best efforts were spoilt by T. Brannan's erratic shooting.