November 5, 1892
Indeed, Mr. Olympian, I had some doubt about the Newtown team, as to who and what they were, how they were likely to play, especially as there were five internationals in the team, and one of them a Corinthian. Ah! Well, I believe this was quite correct, but then Welsh Association International form scarcely ranks so high now-a-days as it did a few years ago. Be that as it may, looking at the names on the programme I expected a much harder fight than what we had.
The visitors on the whole were individually not at all bad, the weakness being caused chiefly through a lack of combination, and undoubtedly this militated against their effectiveness. William Pryce-Jones, who is a flyer, if he can only secure an open course, was so well looked after by James McBride and Duncan McLean that with two exceptions all his efforts were nipped in the bud.
As usual there was a bit of diversity of opinion as to the number of spectators present. The actual number was over 4,000. Liverpool had made two changes in their team, substituting Hugh McQueen on the outside left in place of Andrew Kelvin. The latter is not at all a bad man, but he is a trifle on the light side, so that McQueen strengthens the weakest point in the forward division. He is very fast, and can centre the ball on the run, just as Alf Milward used to do a couple of seasons ago. He did not get very much to do, but what came in his way was done well.
The other alteration was the placing of Matt McQueen at centre half. This player had a more difficult task to perform, namely, to improve on the play of Joe McQue. E is a very young man, but gives every promise of developing into as good a half-back as any team could need. Nevertheless, in justice to the elder McQueen, I must admit he did his work in more finished style, so that, as the home now stands, it ought to take some beating.
Almost from the start it could be seen that the superior tactics of the home team would be too much for individual merit top cope with. Alfred Townsend kicked and tackled splendidly, Oliver Taylor giving good assistance, yet they fell into a fatal mistake for full-backs (that is, if they want to give their goalkeeper a chance), getting too close to goal. I am sure this was accountable for at least three of the goals scored.
The first came from John McCartney, who sent in a long shot which just went under the bar. I have not referred to this player before, because I did not consider the Nantwich match, or rather the conditions under which that match was played, was anything to base an opinion upon. I may now say that he has justified the opinion I then formed of him, and bar accident he will give an excellent account of himself before the season is over.
Play next became a bit disjointed until John Cameron passed to John Miller, and he in turn back to Thomas Wyllie, who sent in one of his brilliant screws. The ball struck the inside of the goal-posts, and flew through without giving A. Edwards a chance. He was not long before he rattled in another shot. This time Edwards handled the ball but could not stick to it, so through it went. The same player was accountable for the next, and just on half-time he shot hard, the ball apparently going a foot outside of the near upright. It tore up the net at the back, struck the boarding, and then fell on the outside of the net. This was disallowed by the referee, who stated that it went outside. In my opinion it as one of the finest goals of the match.
On restarting Liverpool, although playing against the breeze, penned their adversaries more than they did in the first half. Wyllie scored again, and H. McQueen put on yet another point. Again Wyllie was to the front and number eight was secured, whilst Cameron had the honour of obtaining the last goal of the match.
Twice only was Sydney Ross called on to save. One of these occasions was brought about by a nice run and pass by Pryce Jones, but the Liverpool goal was hardly ever in danger. The backs and halves were much too good for the Newtown attack. To-day we shall have had a tougher job in hand, a statement the accuracy of which some of the League clubs can vouch for.
(Source: Cricket and Football Field: November 5, 1892)
"Play Up, Liverpool" 