January 7, 1893
By defeating Heywood Central (6-2) on Saturday and Fairfield (4-1) on Monday, Liverpool have again forged their way to the top of the Lancashire League. The extreme hardness of the ground rendered the games, as it has done all over the country, very difficult to contest, and the players on both sides were compelled to restrain the inclination for forcible play.
Speculation was rife, and much interest evinced as to how Liverpool would shape against the team who had so signally defeated Bury. Taking all things into consideration, the attendance was really good at Anfield at the Heywood Central match. The home team started off in magnificent style, John Miller heading through in less than five minutes from the start, whilst Thomas Wyllie put on two others before half-time; but Andrew Hannah have fouled the ball close in, Pearson scored for the visitors.
In the second half Liverpool kept full possession of the game, relieved occasionally by spasmodic bursts away by the Heywood forwards. Malcolm McVean scored two of the goals, whilst Hugh and Matt McQueen divided honours for the last one. The inclusion of M. McQueen among the forwards had a most beneficial effect, and the quintette worked in a most ubiquitous manner.
Wyllie put on more dash into his play, and was consequently at times most brilliant. Joe McQue’s skilful and well-placed kicking was of immense service with his team, while the unflagging play of both John McCartney and “Wee Jimmy” (James McBride) materially assisted to stave off the work from the two heavy weights from behind, who, when called upon, were generally pretty safe. The players of the Central team who showed up best were the two full-backs Pearson and Evans. They are without a doubt a clever pair, and seem to understand one another at all times. The halves were not so good, and among the forwards Webster and Jack Horsfield appeared to shone above their fellows.
Playing at Fairfield on Monday, the ground was again bad, in fact it might be called dangerous. The Liverpool team played hard and fast, and towards the end of the game had their opponents entirely under command. The best men on the field were certainly Andrew Hannah and Duncan McLean, and Handford on the other side ran them a very close race.
Liverpool won rather easily by four goals to one, and the team expressed themselves as altogether surprised that Blackpool could only make a draw with Fairfield at Blackpool.
(Source: Cricket and Football Field: January 7, 1893)
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"Play Up, Liverpool" 