April 23, 1908
Match: Liverpool Senior Cup, Final, at Goodison Park, kick-off: 17:45.
Everton – Liverpool 2-0 (0-0).
Attendance: 5,000.
Referee: Mr. T. Kirkham.
Everton (2-3-5): William Scott, Bob Balmer, Jock Maconnachie, Harry Makepeace, Jack Taylor, Hugh Adamson, Joe Donnachie, Tim Coleman, George Couper, Jimmy Settle, Harry Mountford.
Liverpool (2-3-5): Sam Hardy, Alf West, Tom Chorlton, Maurice Parry, Alex Raisbeck, James Bradley, Arthur Goddard, William Macpherson, Joe Hewitt, Jack Parkinson, John Cox.
The goals: 1-0 Coleman, 2-0 Couper.
The meetings of these local rivals, as a rule attractive a large number of spectators, no matter under what auspices the game is contested. But the match at Goodison-park last evening failed to bring together anything like the usual throng, only a meagre crowd of some 5,000 witnessing the game. The reason for the falling-off is not far to sack. For some time past neither club has shown its proper form, and this, together with the fact that the end of the season is fast approaching, no doubt accounts for the diminution in public patronage.
Those who attended, however, saw a nicely contested game, but the exchanges savoured of end of season football, and on the whole the players took matters quietly. Everton were the better team, and they won by two clear goals, thus wresting the cup from their rivals, who have held the trophy for the past couple of seasons. Therefore Everton have gained what is looked upon as a sort of consolation prize. Colonel McFie, on behalf of the Liverpool and District Association presented the cup to them after the match.
A deserved victory.
Undoubtedly Everton deserved their victory, as they were smarter on the ball and were the more dangerous team in front of goal. In the first half play was fairly interesting, but there was a lack of combination. Liverpool held the upper hand in the initial portion. They opened very strongly, and Scott had a lot more work to do than Hardly. The Irishman, however, was equal to all calls made upon him. Still, had the Liverpool men shot with accuracy they might have led at the interval. But Balmer and McConnachie were two good defenders, and they kept the Reds from getting through.
One shot from McPherson however, just skimmed the bar, and the Everton goal had another narrow escape, when Goddard sent in a fine centre, Hewitt just missing the leather as he rushed up to breast it through. The only shot of any note on the behalf of Everton came from Mountford, who struck the side of the net with a well-meant effort. Although Liverpool, enjoyed the bulk of the attack this half, they were unable to score, and the interval arrived with a clean sheet.
The game was resumed without the players leaving the field, and at once Liverpool attacked, but Joe Hewitt missed the easiest chance of the match in the first minute. The ball was sent in from the left and the Liverpool centre rushed in. A score seemed certain, but to the dismay of his colleagues, and the crowd be lifted the leather clean over the bar. This proved to be the only real chance the Reds were allowed to have, as during the remainder of the game Everton were easily the better lot, and were more often than not in their opponents half.
A goal seemed a long way off, however, the Liverpool backs sticking to their work manfully. At last Taylor gave Coleman a chance, and the inside man ran through and tested Hardy with a low shot. Liverpool keeper stopped the ball, but it rolled towards the post, and before Hardy could recover, Coleman rushed up and put the leather into the net.
After this Liverpool tried hard to get on terms once more, but the Everton defence held out, and Couper, who had previously mulled two good chances, scored the second goal for the Blues with a good shot. Liverpool were dangerous near the finish, and Parkinson ran through and shot, but the whistle sounded for offside, as Goddard drove past Scott.
The players.
As indicated, Everton were the better team on the day’s play, the half-backs, and backs working nicely together. MaConnachie and Balmer made but few mistakes, whilst Adamson, Taylor and Makepeace, were ever to the front. Of the forwards Mountford, Coleman, and Donnachie were the pick, the former giving a promising display on the left wing. Couper is a centre forward, of the Appleyard style, and he certainly played better here than on the winger.
On the Liverpool side, Hardy kept his usual safe goal, but he had little chance with the shots that scored. The backs were not too safe, West being the better of the pairs. Chorlton had more than he could hold in Donnachie, and Coleman. The halves did fairly well, Raisbeck being the rock. Goddard, Cox, and Macpherson were the most prominent of the Liverpool forwards.
(Liverpool Courier, 24-04-1908)
XX
"Play Up, Liverpool" 