October 29, 1910
“Here’s a How d’ye do.”
It was indeed a regular how do ye do. But then that is always the case when Newcastle and Liverpool meet.
One side or the other – or both – generally manages to do something out of the common, even if only missing open goals. I did think that the issue of the game would be very close. I even hoped that Liverpool would win. But bless you, it was Newcastle’s day out, and didn’t they rub it in?
They were mightily pleased with themselves for they had something to rub off. Apart from the fact that they always like to beat Tom Watson’s club themselves, although they would just as soon Liverpool won honours as any club, they remember last year. At half time one of the Newcastle players said to Arthur Goddard in condescending fashion, “You’d make a very nice Second Division Club.” What they said at full time is another matter.
But at all events the Livers caught them at the top of their form, and I believe any club would have fallen before them. At times the forwards apparently brushed their opponents on one side, so easily did they break through.
Three goals they got in each half, and Shepherd was responsible for the four middle ones, Higgins applying the finishing touch to the first, and Stewart crowning his brilliant afternoon with the sixth.
The forwards all did well, Anderson and Stewart making a great left wing, while Shepherd left his mark very plainly. The halves proved their greatness, too, and the backs their slimness, for McCracken absolutely spent the afternoon in throwing his opponents offside. It may be effective football, but it is not pretty, and Mr. McCracken would find himself playing to empty benches if it were general.
But I should like to know why the Liverpool backs did not retaliate and play the Magpies at their own game? Also why Parkinson and Co. did not trouble to the trick and circumvent it? It seems to me that it is one that can be made to cut both ways, and speed merchants like Parkinson should have speedily convinced the Irishman that a more orthodox style would pay best.
In spite of the excellence of Newcastle, Liverpool should not have been so badly beaten. They should have scored at least four times, and how Brough came to miss on one occasion is beyond comprehension of those who were merely looking on. But he did, and there’s an end of it. As will be gathered none of our men particularly shone.
There were, of course, gleams of brightness, but as they did not terminate in goals they speedily were forgotten.
Hardy was helpless with the shots that scored, although it is stated that he might have saved two of them. I can only think of one – the first, and for that he was, I understand, unsighted. The backs did not resist the pressure, and both made mistakes – for which, however, I do not altogether blame them.
The half backs were not strong. Peake seemed to lack robustness, and he was easily knocked off the ball, and Robinson was neither fast enough nor clever enough to cope with his wing. Harrop was distinctly the best, and he did not give Rutherford very much latitude.
Forward, Harold Uren was the best forward, with but few chances. Parkinson’s finest schemes were spoiled by the offside play, and the others were weak in front of goal, but all lacked a plan of campaign.
Newcastle were in high feather. They are a great team when winning. No team can apparently win so easily, and yet there is no team that goes down more quickly against a robust defence, and a dashing lot of forwards. I do not think the defeat must be taken as a sign of emphatic decadence, keen as I am to see Liverpool rise in the world, for the Tynesiders were in one of their irresistible moods.
Goal Scorer for Liverpool.
LEAGUE – Parkinson 5, Brough 2, Stewart 1, Orr 1, Gilligan 1, Harrop 1, Peake 1. Total 12.
COMBINATION – Gilligan 4, Bowyer 3, Leavey 3, Brough 1, Speakman 1, Peake 1, Stewart 1. Total 14.
FRIENDLIES – Speakman 5, Brough 4, Bowyer 3, Thompson 2, Leavey 2, Connell 2, Uren 1. Total 20.
(Joint EFC and LFC Match Programme, 29-10-1910)
"Play Up, Liverpool" 