November 15, 1919
These teams met in the Central League fixture at Prenton Park this afternoon before fully 6,000 spectators, both sides were forced to make changes, and the following teams lined up:
Tranmere Rovers: Tom McDonald, Bull, Tom Stuart, Bunting, Smith, Charles Cunningham, Ernest Pinkney, Jimmy Moreton, Fred Groves, Reg Leck, James Roberts.
Liverpool: Ted Doig, Tommy Lucas, Jim Penman, Harry Lowe, John McNab, Tom Bromilow, Harold Wadsworth, William Banks, Bill Matthews, Tom Miller, James Carlton
Moreton, who captained the home side, won the toss, and Matthews started for Liverpool towards the town goal on a frost-bound ground.
The opening play was spiritedly contested, and the Rovers were early aggressive. In the first minute Groves and Leck essayed shots at goal, but these were easily cleared by Doig. Pinkney was in the picture with a brilliant solo run on the right. The danger was averted by Lucas, who cleared from a ruck of players.
Tranmere continued to have the best of matters, but the forwards were very erratic in front of goal. Cunningham, after a solo run, finished badly by shooting yards wide from short range. Wadsworth engineered a raid on the home goal, but he was ultimately dispossessed, and the scene of operations was again transferred to the opposite end.
Quarter time arrived without any score. Tranmere was still aggressive and after half an hour’s play Leck opened the score. Liverpool improved and Miller equalised.
When play was resumed a slight mist hung over the ground, but there was no difficulty in following the game. Tranmere soon made tracks on Doig’s charge, and the Liverpool goal had many narrow escaped.
Lowe was injured, and had to leave the field. Tranmere now monopolised the play, and Pinkney gave an unproductive corner. On the right Groves was making nicely for goal when he had the misfortune to handle the ball when about to shoot.
Liverpool broke away, and after 20 minutes play they were awarded a foul just outside the penalty area. Matthews took the kick, and put on Liverpool’s second point.
Three quarter game: Tranmere Rovers 1, Liverpool 2.
Full time: Tranmere Rovers 1, Liverpool 2.
(Source: Liverpool Echo: November 15, 1919)
"Play Up, Liverpool" 