October 21, 1916
Match: Lancashire Section, at Anfield, kick off: 15:30.
Liverpool – Stockport County 3-1 (1-1).
Attendance: 15,000.
Referee: Mr. F. Leigh; linesmen: Messrs. F.W. Johnson and F.J. Proctor.
Liverpool (2-3-5): Ted Taylor, Ephraim Longworth, Tommy Lucas, Norman Bradley, Walter Wandsworth, Donald Mackinlay, Arthur Goddard, Arthur Metcalf, Fred Pagnam, Harry Lewis, Tommy Cunliffe.
Stockport County (2-3-5): James Molyneux, Ralph Goodwin, Tommy Robson, Albert Waterall, Fred Fayers, Alfred Bluer, Harry Crossthwaite, Ernie Gault, Norman Rodgers, Tommy Nuttall, Jack Evans.
The goals: 1-0 Metcalf (6 min.), 1-1 Nuttall, 2-1 Mackinlay (56 min.), 3-1 Pagnam.
Liverpool played better than in any previous game this season, and it was well that the forward display was an improvement upon previous exhibitions, for Stockport were a hefty team and capable of footwork and shoulder work.
It was a pity the game should have developed into a fiery, striking nature, because the first half had been full-keen, yet had been till the closing moments clean and hearty. There is no doubt that Cunliffe was to blame once, that Pagnam’s rush into the stocky back (Goodwin) and Molyneux led to blood being put “on the boil,” and that the referee, being new to the players was “jollied” – I am sorry I cannot find a better terms, but sportsfolk know what I mean when I say the referee was “jollied.” It is an expressive term. To be frank, the players nowadays are inclined to take the law into their own hands, and this “charity” season is responsible for that state of affairs.
Liverpool rarely settle down speedily, and when they were baulked three times in three minutes I feared that their enterprising dash and raids would fade away. Fortunately Arthur Metcalf gave us one of his old-time shots, one that would have pleased Tom Watson mightly. It was a swinging, hooking ball, and was taken swiftly and with an arr of indifference. Nuttall’s equaliser over McKinlay scored a point which was debated, because Wadsworth rushed in to complete the deal.
However, Mackinlay’s free kick was over the line before ever Wadsworth charged Molyneux. It seemed a day of debates for earlier there had been a “charge” against Molyneux of being over the line when he picked up the ball, and later there was talk regarding a penalty kick against Pagnam, and also talk about his shot which struck the crossbar fiercely and cannoned into play. Pagnam ran forward and headed the ball towards goal – a contravention of the rules which the referee did not take into consideration, a goal-kick being his final decision.
The eldest son of the happy family, Goddard, planted across a nice centre, and Pagnam was able to make the day’s victory sure. In brief, Stockport played well, but met three of the very best in Liverpool’s rear. The winners’ half-back line was excellent in part, Bradley being unusually weak. The forward line has come on through the steadiness of Goddard and Metcalf, and the continued trial of a clever young fellow, Lewis, who is improving each week and promises to be a rich source for the club in the days that are to come.
(Liverpool Echo, 23-10-1916)
"Play Up, Liverpool" 