The match was played at Cathkin Park in Crosshill (today part of Glasgow) on 13 February 1886, and was watched by a crowd of "between 7,000 and 8,000",[1] "between 8,000 and 9,000",[2] or "not less than 9,000",[3] or 10,000[4] spectators.
Defending champions Renton had only previously reached the final twice before, lifting the trophy in 1885, 10 years after they finished as runners-up.
[1] Queen's Park, who had the benefit of a wind behind them in the first half,[2] took the lead early on when Somerville turned home a Hamilton shot that had been blocked by Hannah.
[note 1] Renton came close to an equalizer shortly before half-time when Gillespie caught a shot from McCall and was nearly driven over the line in the resulting maul.
Near the end Queen's Park made it three from a 'scrimmage',[3] which was credited to Somerville,[note 2] after a move involving Hamilton and Harrower.