March 22, 1926
At Anfield there was a blustering breeze, which gave Liverpool a decided advantage in the first portion of the game with Huddersfield, but the latter, by clever ball control, concerted action, and easy movement, generally dominated the play, and at the eight minute had taken the lead.
Jackson, who had been a source of anxiety to Bromilow and Mackinlay, got the better of both, to place the ball to Stephenson. The latter drove against the cross-bar with Scott well beaten, and William Devlin defeated the goalkeeper with a rising cross shot.
Liverpool had several chances of getting on terms, but finishing was wild, and often enough the shot was delayed. Hodgson twice kicked the turf when a reasonable opening came along, while Forshaw was distinctly out of luck when he headed the ball on to the cross-bar.
The came a second goal from Stephenson at the end of half an hour.
Attacks held off.
Liverpool played with more spirit in the second half, and more than held their own, although they had to contend against the wind. They displayed more confidence, and after Bromilow had hit the post from a free kick, Forshaw lost a great chance when he drove across the goal.
But Forshaw reduced the lead after 23 minutes by heading a ball from Bromilow past Taylor, and then Smith bore down on Scott, who was lucky to parry a ball which looked like finding the goal.
Later Huddersfield deemed it prudent to strengthen the defence, and Smith, whose speed was wasted against Bromilow, went inside, but there were no further outstanding incidents.
Huddersfield were clever to a man, and they combined cleverly. They showed speed, and never relaxed their grip on the game.
Keener on the ball, the half-backs anticipated the advances of the opposing forwards with precision. The home trio, which included Wadsworth for Cockburn (injured), did not soar to any great heights in this respect.
Huddersfield players were the more methodical, but Liverpool impressed me as working hard enough, but their movements were not well conceived.
Taylor well protected.
There was little really concerted action among the forwards, who even when well placed found opponents clustering round them to such an extent that there were practically no avenues to Taylor’s charge. This applies more to first half play, as in the second period there was greater cohesive movement which eventually compelled the Town to concentrate upon holding their narrow lead.
The passing of the Liverpool forwards seldom achieved what was intended, and here again the correct touches of Huddersfield stood out in marked contrast. Jackson was a big asset in speed and footwork, and yet in Bromilow he found a worthy foeman.
Brown had a good understanding with his partner, and on the other flank none could fail to note the generalship of Stephenson, who, apart from providing Smith with good openings, had an eye to defensive matters when the occasion arose.
Devlin led the line ably, but was too well shadowed in the goal approached.
Some good centres.
Of the Liverpool forwards, I preferred Hopkin, who showed he ball control and speed. He kept Cawthorne and Goodall fully extended, and several of his centres deserved a better fate. On the other extreme Oxley was an enthusiastic worker, who never spared himself, but Hodgson still lacks pace and against the Town half-backs the defect showed itself plainly.
Forshaw was harassed throughout by Wilson, who seldom allowed him room to operate, yet he played well, but it was strange that Chambers did not essay a shot, for though occasionally well placed, he preferred to pass the ball.
Huddersfield half-backs had a better idea of the requirements of their colleagues.
The defences of both teams were solid and compact. Goodall and Wadsworth had a perfect understanding, which materially lightened Taylor’s task, though he and Scott did well all that they had to do.
Liverpool: Elisha Scott, Tommy Lucas, Donald Mackinlay, John McNab, Walter Wadsdworth, Tom Bromilow, Cyril Oxley, Gordon Hodgson, Dick Forshaw, Harry Chambers, Fred Hopkin.
Huddersfield Town: Ted Taylor, Roy Goodall, Sam Wadsworth, Harry Cawthorne, Tommy Wilson, Billy Watson, Alex Jackson, George Brown, William Devlin, Clem Stephenson, Billy Smith.
Referee: E. Pinckston (Birmingham).
(Athletic News: March 22, 1926)
XX
"Play Up, Liverpool" 