November 22, 1915
On Saturday, in James Dawson’s absence through injury, Arthur Metcalf turned his attention to outside left. During his three years stay with the Anfield club Metcalf has always done us well and shown himself a willing worker. Whether it is a belief in luck is hard to say, but sure it is that whenever Metcalf goes to Oldham he is on the victorious side – aye, and which ever wing he is chosen for he runs up against David Wilson!
Of course his game could not be judged by Saturday’s exhibition, nor could any of the other Liverpool players, because the Boundary Park enclosure was like a sheet of ice. Still, it was the same for both sides, and I congratulate Liverpool upon adding to that useful win against Southport Central.
The Anfielders would appear to be once again on the up grade, as witness their smart and creditable performance at Oldham on Saturday. There was, perhaps, very little to choose between the opposing sides either in point of attack or defence, but Liverpool seeing that they were operating away from home and on an extremely difficult and treacherous playing patch, well deserved their two points. This timely victory should – and doubtless will – give an additional fillip to their meeting with Everton on Saturday next.
Oldham Athletic were without the services of Charlie Roberts and Hugh Moffat, but by the same token their opponents were not at full strength. Donald MacKinlay and Dawson at the last moment found themselves unable to travel with the team, and there was an eleventh hour reshuffling of the cards. William Banks, for the second time only, was given the position of inside left, and he justified the wisdom of the selectors by scoring both goals – truly a happy and fortuitous circumstances.
The ground at Boundary Park was frost-bound and partially snow-covered, a condition of things scarcely calculated to promote fast football. Nevertheless, the game was played throughout at a rattling pace, and, if at times scrappy, it was punctuated by flashes of the real thing. Both goalkeepers were kept busy, and, indeed, the masterly activity of both Elisha Scott and Howard Matthews was a distinctive feature of the contest.
The Athletic led off briskly, and Joe Walters, Knight, and Arthur Wolstenholme were all dangerous, thanks to the assiduous feeding of the half backs. Liverpool were equally vigorous in their attentions to Matthews, and Fred Pagnam had his usual experience in seeing a wonderful shot arrested in full flight by the home custodian. Thus the interval arrived with a blank sheet.
In the second period Liverpool led off in sensational style. From the centre line Arthur Goddard put the leather nicely forward to Banks, who, running clean through, drew the keeper out and scored a clever individual goal. Oldham replied with a vigorous bombardment, and Arthur Cashmore must undoubtedly have equalised but for the vigilance of Scott. Wilson, however, made amends, as, coming through the ruck, he put in a swift, low shot, which glanced off James Middlehurst into the net.
Even play followed, and it looked as though the combat would terminate in a draw, when Banks took a short pass and scored the deciding goal. This valuable point came precisely five seconds from the finish. The chronometrical exactitude of this is vouched for by Mr. Fletcher, the referee.
Liverpool, as indicated, gave an excellent account of themselves in every department. Middlehurst was, perhaps, a little too reckless, but the defence altogether was sound. Norman Bradley played a splendid game at half-back, and Goddard looks like entering upon a new sphere of usefulness as a centre half. Pagnam was the most prominent of the forwards, and took his ill-success with smiling cheerfulness.
(Liverpool Echo: November 22, 1915)
"Play Up, Liverpool" 