November 23, 1896
The return League encounter between these two local rivals was played at Anfield on Saturday, in the presence of over 25,000 spectators. From an easy hour the crowd pounced into the enclosure, and the weary of waiting were beguiled by the strain of Messrs Hignett Bros and Co’s band.
There was one alteration in each team, Bob Menham and Fred Geary substituting Henry Briggs and Jimmy Ross respectively, who were suffering from indisposition.
Billy Stewart won the toss, and took advantage of the wind, which was blowing from goal to goal.
The opening stages of the game were in favour of Liverpool, and after Willie Michael had raced down, George Allan put in an overhead kick, which just missed its object. The home team continuing to play strongly, subjected the Everton goal to a heavy siege, and Allan shot over from Harry Bradshaw’s corner kick whilst a moment later Robert Neill headed wide.
Everton, however, then took up the running, and the left wing cantered down the field, Alf Milward sending in lighting shot which went wide on the goal.
Alf Milward, Everton (Lloyd’s Weekly News: January 17, 1892):
Then from a free kick John Holmes struck the post with a fast shot; but Everton asserted themselves in remarkable style, and for some time confined play in the home territory. Fouls were of frequent occurrence, and after Harry Storer had run out to clear from Jack Taylor, Bradshaw raced down, only to be bowled over by David Storrier when dangerous near Menham, and again getting well away, was floored a second time, when just about to shoot.
Everton again had a turn, and John Cameron missed a grand chance in front of Storer, whilst a foul against Bradshaw was with difficulty cleared. Archie Goldie cleverly repelled another shot by Cameron, after Storer had previously cleared from Bell and Everton were now going very strong.
A fine sequence of cross passing led to Edgar Chadwick shooting yards over the bar, and at length Liverpool got into their opponents territory again. From a smart run by Michael, Allan obtained, and sent a hot one straight to Menham, and the clever run by Geary was terminated by a clever centre, which was almost turned to account by Michael.
Another smart movement by Geary gave Bradshaw and Michael a fine chance of opening the scoring, but both unaccountably missed the centre and, after Everton had again forced a fruitless corner, half time arrived with the score sheet blank.
Immediately on restarting Geary and Malcolm McVean were busy, but offside spoilt the efforts, and following this, the Everton left wing got clear away, and Storer was again nearly defeated by running out to clear. Tom Wilkie finally throught relief by a strong kicks, and the home right bearing Smart Arridge caused Menham some difficulty in clearing.
Then Everton again forced the play, and Storer had a particularly lively time. He saved grandly from Chadwick and Taylor, and also from a scramble in the goalmouth, and in the general melee Milward charged John McCartney in such a style as to warrant the referee in ordering him of the field. This left Everton with only four forwards, but they more then held their own for the remainder of the game.
A strong work by Liverpool resulted in first Allan and then McVean and Bradshaw shooting over the bar, and had the home front shown any ability they must have scored at this juncture.
A fine bit of play on the Everton left ended in Stewart testing Storer with a stinger, but the game had now showed down considerably and the final efforts of both sides were extremely feeble.
The Everton halves were up repeatedly prominent in checking the home attack and midfield play predominated. Eventually Geary tested Arridge, and sent in a grand centre, which was not utilised McVean missing a glorious chance of scoring.
A breakaway by Bell led to Storer having to save a difficult shot from the inside man, but the venue was quickly changed and Menham saved a hard return by McCartney, and this was followed by Allan just missing a score.
Harry Storer, Liverpool (Lloyd’s Weekly News: December 1, 1895):
A couple of unsuccessful corners fell to Liverpool, who were having a greater share of the game but there could not pierce the defence. This was the last action of the game, and the contested finish even with no goals having taken place.
(Source: Liverpool Mercury: November 23, 1896)
XX
"Play Up, Liverpool" 