September 15, 1906
Liverpool at Blackburn
When we consider it was possible for Liverpool to return from Blackburn minus a point, the draw game effected at Ewood was distinctly satisfactory; but when we also learn the Reds had sufficient opportunities to press home a winning advantage, the result is scarcely so pleasing. Lack of alacrity near goal, and an undue desire to give the ball one more tap ere driving it in, lost the Reds a win.
Given half a chance ‘tis better far for forwards to shoot and fail than never to have shot at all. Maurice Parry was not too successful against a fearless young untamed wing, and just the same thing occurred in Monday’s Bury match.
In the Ewood encounter Alex Raisbeck repeated his opening-day work, and stood out as the best man on the field, thereby confirming my impression of last week that he has this season got into his best stride very early.
John Cox and Sam Raybould were a disappointing wing, whilst Robert Robinson took some time to find his bearings. Arthur Goddard, however, played a splendid game, and Joe Hewitt moved cleverly in the centre.
A valuable point lost and gained.
On Monday evening Bury brought along the team which succumbed at Derby two days previously, whilst Liverpool were represented as at Blackburn. Despite Bury’s improvement, I suppose nearly everybody on the ground expected the Livers to bring off a victory; but this is just what the League champions failed to do.
Clever they were in numerous movements, and quite outplayed were those persevering Bury chaps. The visiting goal experienced repeated narrow and lucky escapes, despite the valiant keeping of James Raeside – one of the four surviving Scottish custodians operating in First Division football.
Yet the Liverpool fellows, apart from Joe Hewitt and Robert Robinson were moving without that keenness which is necessary to success; in fine, they weren’t putting that last ounce in; and the footballer who only gives 15 ounces to the pound is neither fair to his master nor his patrons. Cleverness without persistence is always likely to take a back seat to more average plodding. Even luck will not help those who do not help themselves.
Liverpool were a rather easily-earned goal up at the end of half-an-hour, for Raeside ran out to clear, and somewhat unnecessarily kicked the ball square in touch; and from the throw-in Sam Raybould quietly record a lack-lustre sort of goal. But on the play Liverpool could or should have claimed quite a three goals’ lead.
Bury, however, were time and again breaking through on the left wing or centre, and at last from a lofty drop-in towards goal Fred Bevan had the pleasure of finding the home backs failing to bar the way. The wide-awake visiting centre, who ever kept an eye on the main chance, dashed in, and although he seemingly handled the ball ere; getting it under control, he had the satisfaction of gliding the ball into the net.
In the second stage Liverpool opened in sleepy fashion, but a rude awakening was in store, when the clean-limbed Bert Hodgkinson gave John Cox an object lesson in the value of quick centring, for the Bury inside right, Amos Kilbourne, with his back partly to the Liverpool goal, to pilot the ball past Sam Hardy in a remarkable fashion. Kilbourne had great difficulty in even reaching the ball. The stroke, which wouldn’t succeed once in a hundred times, came off to a nicety – it was a beauty, this goal.
For the first time Liverpool looked really troubled. They set about locking the stable door, but they could only draw level. Jimmy Lindsay himself, the champion penalty-taker conceded a penalty to the enemy through tripping Arthur Goddard, but Alf West’s effort to convert was very poor and a failure.
The equaliser came in the shape of a real good goal from Joe Hewitt, following which both ends had some narrow escaped, but especially the home goal just before the finish.
Lackadaisical Liverpool.
Bury seemed proud of their draw and in one sense fully earned it, for they were plodders. Raeside kept an excellent goal. The Bury forward line is a much improved one, though John Shackleton need encouraging with a kindly word; Bevan is “warm” as centre forwards go. Both inside forwards are useful, and Hodgkinson should evince rapid development.
Liverpool distinctly failed to please. Their forwards shaped as though the team had a big goal lead when the register was blank. In defence Maurice Parry was the least satisfying defender. The weakest section in attack was the left wing, where John Cox proved especially disappointing.
Joe Hewitt, however, played splendid football throughout, and tried hard to set his men going, besides showing fine initiative in an individual sense.
(Source: Cricket and Football Field: September 15, 1906)
"Play Up, Liverpool" 