Tuesday, March 7 – 1905
Match: Football League, Second Division, at Valley Parade, kick-off: 15:30.
Bradford City – Liverpool 2-4 (0-4).
Attendance: 12,000.
Bradford City (2-3-5): James Garvey, Willie Wilson, Fred Halliday, Jimmy Henderson, George Robinson, Jimmy McLean, Bob Jefferson, Andrew McGeachan, John Graham, Johnny McMillan, Jimmy Conlin.
Liverpool (2-3-5): Ned Doig, Alf West, Billy Dunlop, Maurice Parry, Alex Raisbeck, George Fleming, Arthur Goddard, Robert Robinson, Sam Raybould, Jack Parkinson, John Cox.
The goals: 0-1 Parkinson (5 min.), 0-2 Raybould, 0-3 Parkinson (penalty, 32 min.), 0-4 Robinson (42 min.), 1-4 Own goal (Fleming), 2-4 McGeachan (85 min.).
Played at Valley Parade yesterday afternoon, before 12,000 spectators. Both teams were at full strength, and a keen game was anticipated, as Bradford are sadly in need of points, and Liverpool are making determined efforts to assure themselves a safe position in the division.
Graham opened for Bradford, and from the start it was evident that Liverpool were the superior team both in point of physique and in general play. The game commenced keenly, but before five minutes had passed Parkinson from a centre by Raisbeck put through a soft goal, Garvey having no chance whatever.
Conlin then came to the relief of Bradford, and aided by McMillan and McLean took play to the other end of the field. The relief was short-lived, however, for showing splendid combination Liverpool again pressed, and Garvey was severely tested with some hot shots. His defence, however, was good, and Bradford rushing away Graham had a futile shot at goal.
From the subsequent goal-kick Liverpool were again seen in the City quarters, and after a short tussle with Garvey Raybould put the ball through. Liverpool were now having a large share of the game, and were lucky in obtaining a penalty shot. Parkinson took the kick, and had no difficulty in netting the ball, thus giving the visitors a clear lead of three goals to nil.
The City then made desperate efforts to score, but the superior play of the Liverpool backs proved too for them. They did, however, succeed in obtaining a corner, and after a few moments exciting play in the vicinity of the Liverpool goal Conlin centred smartly to Graham, who rushing ip took a flying shot, but with an almost clear goal in front of him sent the ball wide of the posts.
Conlin and McLean were then to the fore with some good work, but Bradford were soon driven back again, and a strong rush by the Liverpool forwards resulted in Robinson putting up the visitors’ fourth goal. Further exciting play followed, but at half-time the score was unchanged, Liverpool leading by four goals to Bradford City nil.
Parkinson re-started, and with the change of ends play appeared to favour Bradford, who began with renewed vigour. Liverpool quickly forced a corner, but the City cleared without difficulty, and play was transferred to the opposite end, where Bradford’s first goal was scored in a somewhat peculiar manner, Jefferson sending in a fierce shot, which struck Fleming, an opposing back, and bounced off him into the net.
Shortly afterwards McGeachan had hard lines in nots coring, the ball striking the upright. Corners then came to each team in succession, but with noe addition to the score. Bradford were now playing a confident game, and were continuously on the attack, McMillan centred to Graham, who was again faulty, but McGeachan shortly afterwards made amends by heading in the ball, and thus scoring Bradford’s second goal.
The City continued to press, but time arrived with the score Liverpool 4 goals, Bradford City 2 goals.
(Yorkshire Post and Leeds Intelligencer, 08-03-1905)
Bob Jefferson, Bradford City.
XX
"Play Up, Liverpool" 