January 20, 1909
Thunder and lightning, and a strong blizzard, formed the setting to one of the most exhilarating games seen at Turf Moor this season, when Burnley Reserves met and right well defeated the Liverpool Reserves.
Notwithstanding the fact that the ground was heavy with the recent rains and snows, the Burnley men just seemed to delight in it and the way they ploughed through was a treat. If one man stood out above another it was Beddow, who has lately developed a turn of speed and resource which are worthy of the first team. Perhaps he was not far ahead of Minion in usefulness, for the latter undoubtedly gave a fine exhibition.
The right wing was much better than the left. Lindley co-operating grandly with Beddow, while on the other side the play was of too individuals nature, Mayson being the bigger offender, and some of his brilliant pieces of play did not have the effect they should have had on this account. Brewis showed a good deal of improvement at entre. The half-way line was strong all through. Minion and Cawthorne taking the foremost rank.
Howarth, especially in the second half, was not capable of holding the extreme winger, and Woodward was if anything the better of the backs, though if the shooting of Liverpool had been anything like accurate the result might have been more nearly level. Hillman had not the amount of work to do that Sloan had, and was obviously at fault when he let the Liverpool goal through. He evidently thought it was going over, and he made no effort to ensure that it did so.
Burnley Reserves: Jack Hillman, William Howarth, Harry Woodward, Stephen Heys, Rupert Cawthorne, Fred Minion, John Beddow, Dick Lindley, Robert Brewis, Tommy Mayson, Arthur Dawson.
Liverpool Reserves: Donald Sloan, George Latham, Percy Saul, Messina Allman, Ernest Peake, Sam Hignett, Harold Uren, Bertram Goode, William Hunter, Sam Bowyer, Mike Griffin.
Burnley had the wind against them in the first half, and a strong wind it was. If anything they had the most of the play, though Liverpool assisted by the breeze, were repeatedly dangerous Hillman brought off one or two good saves, the wind making the ball extremely tricky. On one occasion Goode had got through and when right in front of goal was steadying himself for the shot, but Minion dashed in and just diverted the shot beyond the post. Soon after this Mayson broke away and, beating Hignett, dashed for goal, but when close in he lost control and Brewis, getting the leather, shot into Sloan’s hands.
Some grand work by Lindley and Beddow resulted in the latter putting in a smart shot. With the game twenty minutes old, Goode put in a hard shot right over Hillman’s head. The ball struck the crossbar and rebounded into the net. Despite the heavy wind, Burnley played up well, but had bad luck till just before half-time when a good shot by Beddow went into the net off one of the visitors’ backs. Half-time Burnley Reserves, 1; Liverpool Reserves, 1.
A dangerous movement by Liverpool was made in the first minute of the second half, but bad shooting characterised the finish. A minute later the ball was taken to the other end, and from Beddow’s pass Lindley shot, the ball entering the net off Hunter, who tried to head behind. The game continued to be well contested, but Burnley were much superior in shooting. After a brief stoppage owing to a heavy hail storm, the game was resumed at hot pressure. Dawson put in a beautiful centre, which Brewis almost converted. Lindley ended a brilliant effort by beating Sloan for the third time, and after Beddow had forced his way through half-a-dozen players Mayson scored the fourth goal. Final. Burnley Reserves, 4; Liverpool Reserves, 1.
(Burnley Gazette: January 20, 1909)
XX
"Play Up, Liverpool" 