December 12, 1908
Well done, Liverpool!
The forlorn hope succeeded where others had not only failed but had been heavily repulsed. To Saturday Sheffield Wednesday had gained every possible point at Owlerton, yet a mere remmant Liverpool team actually won on their merits by the odd goal in five. This is the finest tonic the Reds’ supporters could possibility receive for warding off that threatened chill – the loss of enthusiasm, and – would you believe it – Everton partisans have actually been seen drinking out of the same bottle!
For Liverpool, in helping themselves, had also helped their rivals across the Park. The Reds were short of such men as Sam Hardy, Tom Rogers, Percy Saul, Arthur Goddard, Robert Robinson, Alf West, John Cox, and Alex Raisbeck – eight famed names actually missing, and if they aren’t pilloried and fined by you-know-who, surely Everton’s supporters will be entitled to know the reason why!
A merited victory.
The Liverpool emergency team, however, is deserving of all praise for gaining two such opportune points at a time when a few weeks’ run of failure might have meant a rather perturbing League table position. At Owlerton this team, comprised chiefly of reserve men, won a hard, exciting match on their merits. During the first half the Wednesday tried desperately to take a lead in goals, but Liverpool deserved an equal position at the interval.
Subsequently the Anfielders undoubtedly forced matters to thereby take a two goals’ lead, actually on merit, Wednesday later lessening the gap just on the finish. It was a glorious victory and one for which the whole team is entitled to unstinted praise. Sam Hardy’s absence had been looked upon as a calamity beforehand, but Donald Sloan played his finest game in the Anfield colours.
The players.
Tom Chorlton’s defence was a continuance of the good things he has ever served up as a substitute for Alf West, whilst Billy Dunlop did famously against the club, if not the men he first faced a dozen years ago. Once again the half-back line gave great satisfaction. Maurice Parry and James Bradley were seen in equal-parts, whilst Jim Harrop v Andrew Wilson gave an educative display in football’s highest sense; he was the antiseptic that went to kill “fermentation.”
Jim Harrop of late as more than satisfied. In the absence of Arthur Goddard (whose name should have been given last week as down with influenza instead of Chorlton’s). Jack Parkinson’s trial at outside right turned out surprisingly well. Being a right-footed player, Parkinson is better suited to this wing than to the other extreme in cases of emergency. In Bertram Goode he found an admirable partner. Joe Hewitt at centre improved considerably upon recent displays, whilst the Sam Bowyer-Ronald Orr combine also showed an advance on the previous week’s behaviour.
(Cricket and Football Field: December 12, 1908)
XX
"Play Up, Liverpool" 