February 28, 1916
Thank goodness, the men of the Liverton clubs did not besmirch their characters in the critical eye of the football world. Bradford and Sheffield ofttimes chide Lancashire upon its hold in managerial matters of football but they must not live in the same street as the Liverton clubs when Derby Days are concerned.
It is an age since Everton and Liverpool’s meeting produced temper, and I recall that one Woodcock once paid me a tribute that to a large extent I was responsible for the cleanliness of the Mersey battles by pleading for clean and keen sport. Whether he was right and proper is that I pass on behalf of the legion of followers of football and and around our city our very best thanks to the amateurs who gave such delight on Saturday.
To every man is due the highest credit for playing solid, sporting football – keen as mustard, but always clean, save for the merest technicalities of the game. The game will be remembered for many things. First Everton’s loss of the third out of the five games that the was session had caused; second, for Clennell’s first absence of the season, and Everton’s first failure this season to score a goal; and finally for the number of excellent shots and saves made by the goalkeepers. It was not a shooting day, yet Taylor and Mitchell gave great exhibitions.
The former must look upon his appearance in his own city with much pleasure. He has appeared three times this season, and has been in the winning side each time. His one hand save – or scoop out – from Wareing was a rich piece of goalkeeping worthy a Robinson or Sutcliffe, and if he had attempted to gather the ball with both hands he would have been too late. His confident catch and punch gave his side confidencde, and it is plain that Taylor is about to live up to the high standard of goalkeeping that the Liverpool club boats – no club has a better goalkeeping record. Men like McQueen, Doig, Hardy, Campbell, and Elisha Scott will find the name of Taylor included in the same discussion.
Briefly let me mention men and matters. First, the winning side, other than those already mentioned. The backs were admirable and safe. Longworth and Middlehurst cannot be split when the merit of defence is considered. At half back, Bamber had the greatest trial, and he surprised me greatly by his tenacity against Harrison. Clennell’s absence was a good thing for Bamber, whose rather slow style would have probably caused him to be left. However, Clennell was not present, and Bamber must be credited with a capital display of both departments of his office, attack and defence.
Goddard and Mackinlay gave excellent displays, and it is long time since I saw Mackinlay put so much heartiness into the whole ninety minutes. Forward, the right wing was well balanced, the centre well watched but pass-providing, and the left wing especially hearty in the first half, Cunliffe spoiling his general good work of shooting and centring by stealing a yard of the offside margin, and thus bringing to end a promising attack.
(Source: Liverpool Echo: February 28, 1916)
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"Play Up, Liverpool" 