December 14, 1896
The fates appear to be decidedly unfavourable in respect to weather when the Liverpool League team are performing on their own territory, and the conditions which prevailed on Saturday were only in accordance with those which have been in evidence in the majority of the homes this season.
The ground seemed to be in a more sodden condition than ever, and the players found the utmost difficulty in keeping their feet, whilst the slippery surface of the ball militated entirely against an accurate display. Under these conditions the game was as interesting as might have been anticipated, and there were occasional individual brilliant efforts which compensated somewhat for the rather mediocre displays which generally prevailed. Owing to the inclement weather the attendance was much below what would otherwise have been present, for Bury can be depended upon to give their most powerful opponents a lively 90 minutes, and their recent efforts in League games have been attended by a considerable measure of success.
Winning the toss gave Liverpool the advantage of the breeze, and the first half was greatly in their favour. In this period Bury were seldom dangerous, their shooting being greatly at fault, but the methods of the home players were none too brilliant, and in comparison with their opponents they were slow, and were often robbed when a little more activity would have produced a beneficial result. The visitors’ backs were also allowed too much grace when returning on opponents’ kick, and it is somewhat singular that on the two occasions that Allan followed up smartly in anticipation of a weak return by the opposing backs he should have been enabled to dispossess his antagonist, and notch a point in both instances.
The home forwards were rather lackadaisical in their efforts, and the Bury halves repeatedly chipped in, with the result that the well-meant attacks of the Anfielders were neutralised simply by the superiority of speed over inertness. Gradually the home players infused more life into their movements, and after McVean had opened the scoring the Bury defenders experienced a warm time in warding off the persistent attacks of the Liverpudlians.
The home defence was none too sound, and Bury have to thank their weak shooting for their failure to get on equal terms, and though their forwards made several dangerous attacks, their final efforts were extremely feeble. Liverpool were decidedly the better team in the first half, and deserved to be ahead, but in the second their goal received one of the severest bombardments they have experienced on their own ground this season, and a little more steadiness in front of goal might easily have altered matters for the visitors.
The chief feature of this portion was Allan’s magnificent goal, which completely settled the aspirations of the East Lancashire organisation. Receiving from Ross, the centre forged ahead, and, beating Barbour, got wide of the posts at 20 yards’ distance, and with deliberate intention drove the ball into the net with one of the finest shots ever witnessed, tho while Montgomery looked on completely astounded, and utterly unable to divert the ball from its unerring destination.
Nevertheless, Bury were allowed the privilege of being the first team to score a goal on the Anfield enclosure in League games since the visit of Bolton Wanderers on September 7, and Storer may well be proud of his achievements since that date. Bury were decidedly superior in the second moiety, and with the backs in uncertain form, they did not fail to take advantage thereby. Liverpool were fortunate in being enabled to command such a decisive verdict as a majority of two goals implies, but the balance of the play was not sufficient to justify this ample margin, and, as far as ability goes, a draw would have been a more fitting termination to the contest.
The home forwards were not seen at their best, and a similar remark applies to the full backs. There were many excellent titbits accomplished by the front rank, but on the whole they failed to realise sanguine anticipation. The two goals scored by Allan were exceedingly clever, the latter, as previously mentioned, being a masterpiece, and Bradshaw made some dashing sprints, which were unfortunately, however, deprived of their effectiveness by inability when the final touches were needed. The halves were above fault, and Neill was as usual extremely prominent, whilst both McCartney and Cleghorn worked with an untiring persistency which well deserved unstinted praise.
The full-backs were weak – Wilkie was uncertain, and had his kicks repeatedly charged, whilst McQueen filled Goldie’s position in such manner that the latter’s absence was often bemoaned. Storer made some remarkably clever saves, and had far more work to accomplish than his via-a-vis, and it was no fault of his that his excellent home record received another slight tarnish.
(Source: Liverpool Mercury: December 14, 1896)
"Play Up, Liverpool" 