1 - 3 v FC Halifax Town (H) 11/10/2025 
ENGLISH CUP TIE
The following ties were played between clubs in the Second Division:-
CENTRAL V SOUTH SHORE
These clubs met on the South Shore ground, Blackpool on Saturday, lost to try conclusions in the second round of the English Cup. The interest taken in the match was unprecedented, as over 200 spectators made the journey to see, the teams equipped themselves. During the week, plenty of speculation had been indulged in. South Shore being installed the favourites. On the arrival of the team, it was discovered that Blenkhorn had missed his train, And the result was that the central had to play with ten men. This, of course, considerably disheartened. Both the supporters and the players, and those who had been anguine of success Where rather inclined. To think that their hopes would not be realised. Eventually at the appointed time, the following players faced each other before about 1000 spectators.
Central: Tyldesley, goal; shaw and Ackroyd (capt), backs; Horton and F.Rimmer, half-backs; Sourbutts, Lea-Jones, Taylor, Duncan, and Graham, forwards.
South Shore: Langley, goal; Dakin and Moore, backs; Sharples, Heaton, and Walsh (Capt), half-backs; Richard Elston, Halliwell, Cookson, Robt. Elston, and Parkinson, forwards.
Ackroyd, having won the toss, decided to play with the wind in his favour, and Cookson commenced operations. Dick Elston got possession, and after a smart dribble he sent in a swift shot, and scored a goal in less than two minutes from the start. Shortly afterwards the Southport spectators, who had come by a later train than the team, arrived on the ground and the players, encouraged by their shouts, put a little life in the game. Dick Elston again secured possession of the ball and made an invasion to the visiting quarters, but Fred Rimmer came up in the nick of time and robbed him. Horton ran well up the field, but his final effort went a little wide of the posts. From the goal kick, Lea- Jones secured the ball in midfield, and after a grand dribble, dodging past the half backs and backs, he sent in a terrific shot, which Langley had no chance of stopping. After the kick off, the central had all the best of the play, and Sourbutts, Graham, Lea-Jones, and Horton all sent in shots which were just a little wide of the mark. Southport continued to play up well. Until Cookson made a grand run up the field, and passed to Dick Elston, who, in his turn, sent the ball to Halliwell, and that player made an attempt to score. Ackroyd got the leather, and in trying to screw a kick, he sent the ball whistling through his own posts. This took a considerable amount out of the Central players, and it was only to be expected that their play would not be characterised by the dash, which had hitherto been the case. After the kick off the Shore forwards made a rush up the field, but Horton, by a good kick, relieved, and, following well up, he was within an ace of scoring. Lea-Jones was at this point conspicuous by some tricky play, and in quick succession he sent in a couple of shots, both of which were saved by the home team goalkeeper. After a series of passes by Duncan, Graham, and Sourbutts, the last named put the ball behind. After this Cookson, Robert Elston, and Halliwell by some smart passing gained a good deal of ground, but their efforts were frustrated by Horton. They again renewed the attack, and got within shooting distance, but Aykroyd managed to save at the expense of a corner. Parkinson took the kick, and Dick Elston had hard lines in not heading a goal, the ball just going over the post. Notwithstanding the fact that the Central were only playing with ten men, they continued to have all the best of the game, and it was only by occasional rushes that the home team ever got the ball in close proximity to the visiting citadel. On one occasion, Tyldsley, in attempting to save, ran more than a couple of steps with the ball in his hands, with the result that the referee allowed a free kick right in the goalmouth. The central players, however, were equal to the occasion, and averted any further disaster. Fred Rimmer robbed Cookson and gave Taylor a capital opportunity, but he failed to take advantage of it, his shot being very feeble, which Langley had no difficulty in clearing. The visiting forwards continued to pepper away at the home goal, but they had the hardest of luck, the ball going anywhere but between the posts. Still the conclusion of the first half play was of a desultory nature, and ends were changed, with South Shore leading by two goals to one. After a brief rest play was recommenced, and as Blenkhorn took his place on the field, the Sandgrounders had their full complement, Ackroyd going in his usual position. It was hardly to be expected that the visiting team would stand any chance as the wind had continued to rise, which gave South Shore a decided advantage. Lea-Jones kicked off, and Taylor at once paid the South Shore fortress a visit, but it was ably defended, and the ball was soon hovering around the visiting goal. Blenkhorn was soon called upon, and by a huge kick he sent the ball to the halfway flag. Halliwell here got possession, and after some pretty passing by that player, Cookson, and Parkinson, the last named sent in a shot which Tyldsley managed to save, but rather ineffectually, and one of the home team forwards being well up, he had little difficulty in registering another point before Tyldsley could regain his position. Lea-Jones again started, but Cookson soon had the ball at the Southport end, and Dick Elston immediately called upon the central goalkeeper. He, however, succeeded in clearing, but the pressure was too great, and he had to succumb. When the ball had again been kicked off, Lea-Jones followed well up, and sent in a shot, which Langley fisted out. A sharp struggle ensued in front of the posts until Moore relieved with a grand kick to the other end of the field, and, Halliwell being well up, he had little difficulty in placing the fifth goal to the credit of the home team. Lea-Jones again started, and a momentary visit was paid to the Shore fortress, during which Langley was again called upon to save, which he did with good effect. The ball, however, with the aid of the wind, was soon within shooting distance of the Central citadel, and another shot was sent in, which Tyldsley repelled. Cookson got possession, but, when tackled by Walsh, he passed to Parkinson, who re passed to Walsh, and that player added another point. From now till the conclusion of the game, the home team had the best of the play, and, another goal being scored, they passed into the third round by substantial majority of seven goals to one. The score does not by any means represent the true state of the game, as except on very few occasions during the first half, the ball was continually within shooting distance of the Shore goal, the Central were unlucky in not scoring at least four or five times. There is no doubt that the home team played a capital game, but had Tyldsley been able to clear well, or had he been sufficiently backed up, three of the goals would not have been scored. During the match, the Blackpool Fishermen’s Band played a selection of music. Mr McGowan and Mr. Johnson, as umpires, acted with impartiality, a similar remark applying to Mr S. Ormrod, of Accrington, who officiated as referee. After conclusion of the match, the members of the team were entertained to tea at the Palatine Hotel by Mr. James Comer, an enthusiastic supporter of the central club, for which he was accorded a hearty vote of thanks, on the motion of Mr. Watson, seconded by Mr F Wood.
