May 9, 1945
Key note: “Never were Liverpool in danger, for they scored in 90 seconds and never looked back. And that first goal was the highlight of the game. A cute interpassing movement on the left saw Paterson slip the ball across to Taylor standing a few yards outside the penalty area. Taylor hit the ball first time with his right foot and it flashed into the net high up by the far post – a glorious shot perfectly times and directed.” (Evening Express: May 10, 1945)
Match: Football League, Northern Section, Regional 2 and VE Celebration, at Anfield, kick-off: 15:00.
Liverpool – Preston North End 5-1 (3-1).
Attendance: 9,972; gate receipts: £702.
Liverpool (2-3-5): Alf Hobson, Jack Westby, Jack Macdonald, Harry Kaye, Laurie Hughes, Jack Pilling, Jack Campbell, Phil Taylor, Les Shannon, Harry Eastham, George Paterson.
Preston North End (2-3-5): Walmsley, Hamilton, Strachan, Dunn, McIntosh.
The goals: 1-0 Taylor (2 min., assist: Paterson), 2-0 Kaye, 2-1 Strachan, 3-1 Taylor, 4-1 Shannon (assist: Pilling), 5-1 Shannon.
** Some uncertainties about the Liverpool line up. Most sources include McInnes – but he was a Preston player and is mentioned in reports playing the match for North End. Two Liverpool players mentioned in the article but are not in most line ups are: Macdonald (the reserve captain) and Paterson. Paterson had an assist to the 1-0 goal scored by Taylor. In the line-up I present I have replaced McInnes with Paterson; and Gulliver (another guest) with Macdonald.
Newspapers checked: Liverpool Daily Post, Evening Express and Lancashire Evening Post.
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