March 4, 1944
Key note: “It is often said when a team has a sweeping victory that they ‘waltzed round the opposition.’ Liverpool speeded up the dance, for their’s was an eightsome reel at Oldham’s expense, and the Scottish flavour was provided by the old maestro Matt Busby. Busby not only provided goal-scoring passes, but signalled his players where to go for the next move, so inspired them that they, too, gave copybook passes, and generally trod a merry measure through a bewildered Oldham defence. Here was a game – although one-sided from a scoring point of view – that was never dull because of the lovely football touches displayed, particularly by Busby, Welsh, Balmer and Taylor, with guest artist Butler providing good support.” (Liverpool Echo: March 6, 1944)
Match: War League Cup, First Round, First Leg, at Anfield, kick-off: 15:15.
Liverpool – Oldham Athletic 8-1.
Attendance: 20,786.
Referee: Mr. S. McCarthy.
Liverpool (2-3-5): Alf Hobson, Ray Lambert, Jeff Gulliver, Matt Busby, Laurie Hughes, Jack Pilling, Phil Taylor, Jack Balmer, Cyril Done, Don Welsh, Stan Butler.
Oldham Athletic (2-3-5): Mark Radcliffe, Hurst, Tom Shipman, Tommy Williamson, Gray, J. Taylor, Fred Worrall, W.H. Cottrill, Eddie Chapman, R.O. Martin, Harry Tilling.
The goals: 1-0 Balmer (5 min., assist: Taylor), 2-0 Balmer (9 min., assist: Butler), 3-0 Taylor (15 min., assist: Balmer), 4-0 Balmer (28 min., assist: Busby), 5-0 Balmer (44 min., assist: Done), 6-0 Taylor (50 min., assist: Butler), 7-0 Done (52 min., assist: Butler), 7-1 Chapman (61 min.), 8-1 Done (89 min.).
XX
"Play Up, Liverpool" 