February 16, 1916
Mainly Liverpool F.C. to-day, sirs. They are at home to Oldham Athletic, on Saturday, at Anfield, kick-off 3.30, and the nature of the match, the formation of both sides, and the win Liverpool obtained last Saturday at Southport make good the idea that a tremendous crowd will attend.
Liverpool loves to bark at Charles Roberts, the Oldham captain, no matter how much the appreciate his game; and as he is to face Pagnam the tussle down the middle should be worth going a long way to see. But there are other features in the match that will command attention.
For instance, we shall have the delight of watching Ted Taylor, the Balmoral man, who is keeping goal for Oldham. Taylor’s exhibition against Everton – when he was scarcely in fit condition – will never be forgotten, and if the Liverpool forwards test him as they tested the Southport Central goalkeeper, then Taylor is to have a busy day’s work.
Liverpool’s team, which varies in one particular from last week’s team (Middlehurst for Speakman) is as follows: – Kenneth Campbell, Ephraim Longworth and James Middlehurst, John Bamber, Arthur Goddard, and Donald MacKinlay, Ernest Pinkney, Wilfred Watson, Fred Pagnam, Arthur Metcalf, and Tommy Cunliffe.
Now, concerning Liverpool’s attack, we find Cunliffe operating again against a big back, as he did in his game versus Bob Crompton – a debut game that was played against a man, who is only two short of making his 550 appearance in football.
All Liverpool folk were agreed that Cunliffe played a great game against Crompton, and the only question in our minds was: – “Was it a flash in the pan, or was it Cunliffe’s standard of game?”
Well, I can tell you this: – Cunliffe last week, against Southport Central, played a thoroughly good game and kept up his form of the first game, so that we can take it for granted that the “Saint” Helens “boy” will fill Liverpool’s bill with credit for many a day.
Another St. Helens man was making his second appearance in the Anfield colours. Bamber is a young stylish player, whose slowness will be wiped out a bit later on. Bamber’s form pleased the cognoscenti, and he has therefore been selected again.
Still on team gossip let it be known that Bill Goodwin, the Oldham back, joined the 22nd Welsh last week, but he says he will be able to play at Liverpool. Hugh Moffat went home ill last week, but has made good recovery. Oldham’s right wing pair.
Joe Donnachie and Joe Walters, have not been seen frequently in our city but they’re known to be an able and attractive pair, and with the ex-Everton and the ex-Aston Villa man in form,
Donald Mackinlay will be kept busy. Altogether the fixture promises unusually good fare, and with Everton as Liverpool’s rivals the following week, we are winding up the first part of the programme with a flourish.
(Source: Liverpool Echo: February 16, 1916)
"Play Up, Liverpool" 