November 4, 1916
Match: Lancashire Section, at Anfield, kick off: 15:00.
Liverpool – Stoke 3-1 (2-0).
Attendance: 15,000.
Referee: Mr. A. Pellowe; linesmen: Messrs: D. Heath and F. Lainster.
Liverpool (2-3-5): Jimmy Ashcroft, Ephraim Longworth, Tommy Lucas, John Bamber, Walter Wadsworth, Donald Mackinlay, Arthur Goddard, Arthur Metcalf, Fred Pagnam, Harry Lewis, Tommy Cunliffe.
Stoke (2-3-5): Richard Herron, Arthur Allman, George Turner, Joe Jones, Charles Parker, G. Dobson, Billy Harrison, Billy Herbert, Thomas Greaves, Howard Humphries, J. Bridgett.
The goals: 1-0 Pagnam (2 min.), 1-1 Turner (26 min.) 2-1 Goddard (37 min.), 3-1 Pagnam (88 min.).
Liverpool, feeling that they must of necessity keep their League lead for more than one week, set their hearts and boots into their work against Stoke; and well as the latter played in the second half, they never got over a gruelling first half, in which Liverpool played grand football, their shooting being invigorating and encouraging to all except Herron, who must have wondered what he had bumped up against when Pagnam drove in three low balls of tremendous power.
The game was a gem; and although there was more than one foul and more than one suggestion of “leg throwing,” the game was clean and very keen. Had Harrison remained sound Liverpool’s defence might have been taken; but the old Wolf, together with another old ‘un in Bridgett, saw footwork thrown to the winds by the inner wingmen, who were very poor – Herbert surprisingly so. Another of the 46th group – Arthur Goddard – got among the goals with an angular goal, and, in addition, he popped over some score-producing centres. His presence in the forward line has led to a balancing of the line that was so badly needed. Mind you, Lewis must also be considered highly when the question of improved forwards is concerned; but still the fact remains that Goddard’s return has brought with it a steadying influence, and the players have linked up with their half-backs as they have failed to do for some weeks. It is good to see the change.
Liverpool were sorely tried to find a goalkeeper. Swann, of Manchester United, would have helped but for the United’s call, and although there were locals of some worth, the club felt anxious to keep the goal account down, and they brought to life James Ashcroft, an international of years gone by. Strangely enough, he played at Everton this season when his old club, Blackburn Rovers, were without a goalkeeper, but then Jimmy had not a great deal to do, whereas on Saturday he had some peppery shots to handle, and save for a delay here and there in clearing, when he had collected the ball. Jimmy was faultless, and three of his saves brought out the thunderous applause of the 17,000 spectators. Altoghether the game was one to be remembered, and to Pagnam for his two goals – genesis and revelation stages of the game – Goddard for his “point,” and all the members for their well-balanced display – hearty congrats. Stoke’s back, Turner, scored with a penalty kick after Ashcroft had saved the first shot and this man Turner was, to my mind, a very valiant defender. J.T. Jones too, was able, but he could not cope with the wily Cunliffe and Lewis.
(Liverpool Echo, 06-11-1916)
Match report from Liverpool Daily Post, Monday, November 6 – 1916:
League table, after the game:
"Play Up, Liverpool" 