September 8, 1930
Draw after being two goals behind.
Penalty dispute.
Mr. J.O. Rickwood, of Sheffield, had controlled this game in a way which had scarcely drawn a murmur from the crowd of 18,000. He had always been well placed, and his decisions had given universal satisfaction, until with the game three parts over, and Middlesbrough comfortable in a two goals lead, Liverpool pressed on the left.
One tumble followed another, and Macpherson and McFarlane were seen to be struggling, the one to reach the ball, the other to prevent it. McFarlane was seen with an arm across the shoulders of his opponent. Macpherson stumbled. A penalty was awarded to Liverpool, Middlesbrough protested that the verdict should have been the other way.
The referee declined to consult a linesman, so Jennings, the Middlesbrough captain, himself went over to the touch line. What the linesman said I don’t know, but when Jennings got back Done was in the act of driving the ball into the net from the penalty spot.
That goal seemed to give Liverpool hope for the first time in the match. They scored through Hodgson five minutes later, and actually went in front through Edmed a few minutes from the end.
Last minute.
But Middlesbrough recovered some of their lost laurels with an equaliser in the last minute from Pease. It was a game which for the most part must have had more disappointment for Liverpool than anything else.
The side was saved in its depressing hour by the steadiness of Riley in goal, the stubbornness of Done and Lucas a back – the latter being the best defender on the field – and the skilled resistance of Bradshaw at centre half.
These were the great figures of a moderate side. Thanks are due to them that such a recovery was within reach. It was not until late in the game that much was seen on the wing half-backs, Morrison and McDougall, and Macpherson’s spirit in these later exchanges was in marked contrast to his lack of force in the opening half.
The Liverpool forward I liked best the game through, was Hodgson. He was by far the most industrious, never allowing a chance to pass, no matter how remote. Edmed was likeable, too, and the few opening which fell to the attack during Middlesbrough’s long period of superiority were the product of his brain and foot.
From one of his passes Hodgson fired against the bar, but it was just a flash. Middlesbrough were for the most part masters to an extent which was surprising.
Turning point.
First of all, with Webster away injured. Bruce scored from Forrest’s pass, the low ball swerving in its fight. Then, a few minutes after the interval, Warren took a pass from Camsell to drive the ball into the goal just beside the upright.
Middlesbrough appeared to be winning easily until the Liverpool penalty arrived. That the game so turned against them was due to Middlesbrough’s lack of defensive resource. Ferguson not being so successful as in the earlier part of the match, and to Webster’s injury, the player not having a gallop left in him.
Mathieson, in Middlesbrough’s goal, performed generally with credit, and Jennings was always doing well at right back. The half-back play of McFarlane kept at a high standard, but Forrest was inconsistent, and of the Middlesbrough forwards Bruce, Camsell and Warren were the pick.
These form a keen, determined, trio, Bruce has begun the season well, and Camsell’s game could be likened to his best days, though he would probably do still better with a more ready dispatch of the ball to the wings.
Middlesbrough: Jimmy Mathieson, Jack Jennings, Robert Ferguson, John MacFarlane, Maurice Webster, William Forrest, Billy Pease, Billy Scott, George Camsell, Bobby Bruce, Freddie Warren.
Liverpool: Arthur Riley, Robert Done, Tommy Lucas, Tom Morrison, Tom Bradshaw, Jimmy McDougall, Dick Edmed, Gordon Hodgson, Jimmy Smith, Archie Macpherson, Fred Hopkin.
Referee: J.O. Rickwood (Sheffield).
(Athletic News: September 8, 1930)
XX
"Play Up, Liverpool" 