Saturday, January 20 – 1940
Match: Regional League, Western Division, at Anfield, kick-off: 15:00.
Liverpool – Chester 1-1 (0-0).
Attendance: 1,000.
Referee: Mr. W.H.E. Evans (Liverpool).
Liverpool (2-3-5): Dirk Kemp, Bernard Ramsden, Jack Tennant, Matt Busby, Fred Rogers, Stan Eastham, George Leadbetter, Berry Nieuwenhuys, Cyril Done, Phil Taylor, Billy Liddell.
Chester (2-3-5): Bill Shortt, Vic Brown, Ted Common, Reg Butcher, Trevor Walters, Harold Howarth, Williams, Joe McGough, Dick Yates, Tommy Astbury, Bob Sanders.
The goals: 1-0 Nieuwenhuys, 1-1 Astbury (83 min.).
Chester draw at Anfield.
Refreshing display.
Liverpool, joint leaders of their section, could only draw with Chester at Anfield. On the face of it this may sound detrimental to the senior side, but throwing all thoughts of status to the winds, one could scarcely tell the difference between one team and the other.
Chester may have appeared to have been a bit overawed in the first ten minutes, but there was nothing slapstick about their football from that point. They played in Division 1 style, with no big-kicking antics from the defence, and pure football methods the constant aim. In this respect it was the most refreshing display I have ever seen from a Division III club. They were more together than Liverpool once they really warmed to their work, and if their finishing had been on a like plane Liverpool and not Chester would have been in greater danger of defeat.
Actually, Liverpool came close to losing when after Nieuwenhuys’s goal had been discounted by Astbury the visiting side enjoyed a wonderful chance of taking the lead near the end. Williams missed his way, however, though with every excuse in such circumstances. Admitting that Liverpool could not be at their best – Riley, Cooper, Fagan and others were missing – the substitute side had, on paper, a second-to-none chance of victory. It was therefore, a very gallant effort on the part of the almost purely “local” Chester team to save a point.
Shortt’s saves.
When Liverpool were on top the stylish young Shortt made some of his best saves and he was aided by some grand defensive work by Common, Brown and Walters. It was not until the second half that Astbury, Saunders and others really got into their stride, though Yates had always kept the Liverpool-defence busy. Saunders showed speed and ability, and Astbury’s best move was his individual run which ended in Kemp’s defeat. Like Shortt, Kemp came out with credit for two outstandingly good saves.
Liverpool lagged towards the end, but they had their moments without punishing the opposition with the ball in front of goal. Done was remiss, and Taylor was luckless, so the line was notable chiefly for the sprightly winging of Liddell.
(Liverpool Daily Post, 20-01-1940, by ‘L.E.E.’)
Bill Shortt, Chester City and later Plymouth Argyle, goalkeeper.
XX
"Play Up, Liverpool" 