December 25, 1916
Match: Friendly, at Goodison Park.
Everton – Liverpool 1-0 (0-0).
Attendance: 17,000.
Referee: Mr. Forshaw (Birkenhead).
Everton (2-3-5): Frank Mitchell; Bob Thompson, Stewart; Tom Fleetwood, Billy Wareing, Alan Grenyer; Lloyd, Frank Jefferis, Bobby Parker, Joe Clennell, John Blair.
Liverpool (2-3-5): Kenneth Campbell: Ephraim Longworth, Tommy Lucas; John Bamber, Walter Wadsworth, Donald Mackinlay; Joe Donnachie, Arthur Metcalf, Tommy Bennett, Norman Bradley, James Henderson.
Substitution: Jimmy Ashcroft 45 minutes for Campbell.
The goal: 1-0 Fleetwood.
Fleetwood (right half back, of Everton), scored the only goal of the match at Goodison Park, when some 17,000 spectators were treated to an interesting if not thrilling contest. One has become used to connecting really brilliant games with the meeting of the local rivals, and the result is that yesterday’s game does not go to history with the games the Liverpool clubs have in the past been associated.
Nevertheless these were plenty to comment upon and talk about, and consideration must be made for the state of the ground –sticky- and the changing necessary in the team sheets. Everton had to place their youngest member, Blair at outside left in place of Harrison, and as Dunn did not turn up Stuart played.
Liverpool too, were in a quandary Cunliffe’s train from Manchester being late, Donnachie, ex-Everton and Oldham was present and played in his place, while Henderson filled the outside left berth. In goal there were two players –first half Kenneth Campbell, who although ill decided to “risk it”; and in the second half the ever willing James Ashcroft turned out.
Everton had some good forwards, a good half back line and a sturdy defence, Liverpool had a grand half backs, and moderate forwards. No wonder, therefore, that goalkeeper had an easy passage. True Jefferis, Clennell, and Parker, in the first half each made a telling shot, Campbell showing clean methods in disposing of the shots. True, also, that Bennnett was ever-dangerous and Donnachie was without superior in “heady” and practically play. The fact remains, however, that the forward work on the whole was poor and was easily controlled. Thompson and Wareing did big work in preventing Bennett from scoring, and Blair’s centre-kicks were worthy of special note.
Against that side must erected place=kicking by Henderson (who, however, was early on knocked on the leg) and Lloyd’s weakness,. Not until Lucas had left the field through injury did Everton gain their goal. Fleetwood usually initiators more forward with a series of zigzags dribbles and feints but this time verging towards centre and peering the inside left position, he let fly with a glorious low shot giving Ashcroft no chance. Parker, who was home on leave, led the Everton attack and nothing further needed be stated of the game, save that Longworth, Lucas, and Mackinlay, were expert in defence and many times helpful in forming an attack result.
(Liverpool Echo: December 26, 1916)
Tom Fleetwood, Everton F.C.
XX
"Play Up, Liverpool" 