EVERTON v. SOUTHPORT CENTRAL.

Lancashire Evening Post – Thursday 26 December 1889

This match took the place of Everton v. Kilbirnie at Anfield yesterday, and was witnessed nearly 10,000 spectators. The visitors were the first to put in an appearance, and Southport won the toss, the game starting on wretchedly bad ground. After some fine play, the game raged furiously near the visitors’ quarters. Everton kept up the attack, and at half-time they had scored one goal. On restarting, Everton severely pressed the Centrals, but the wretched condition of the ground was too much for the visitors, who were thoroughly used up, Dobson and McLaren being the only ones who contested the attacks of the Evertonians. Geary did a brilliant spin shortly before the close, defeating Gee, the goalkeeper, for the fourth time, and later on Geary again succeeded in scoring. Result—Everton 5, Central nil. The ground was so bad that the Everton Committee have cancelled their fixture with Belfast Athletic this forenoon.

EVERTON 5 SOUTHPORT CENTRAL 0

December 26, 1889 The Liverpool Courier

The Liverpool Senior Cup

The holiday matches commenced at Anfield yesterday afternoon, when Everton was opposed in the Liverpool Cup-tie by Southport Central, in the presence of fully 6,000 spectators. The ground was in a wretched state from the continued rain, although in the main a well-contested game was witnessed. Geary started the ball, and for a minute or so the play, was located at the Everton end, but after a corner had been secured and successfully cleared, a fine passing run by Latta and Brady took play in front of the Southport goal, which, after a vigorous assault surrendered during a “bully,” Milward making the final shot. Following the restart the play for a time was of a fairly even character, Smalley having use his hands on more than one occasion. At this time Lea and McLaren were prominent for Southport, and on a move again being made in the direction of the visitors goal, Milward and Kirkwood in turn sent in shots which were within an ace of taking effect. Gee, however, defended admirably and although the ball hovered threateningly in front, no impression could be made. Hodgkinson occasionally relieved well, but the Everton forwards were far too clever to admit of any serious inroads being made. Hammond, who occupied Doyle’s place at full back also played a good game, his strategy near touch being so smart that he earned the well merited applause of the crowd. Just prior to the intervals a furious onslaught was made on the Southport goal, which, however, withstood the shock and ends were changed to the advantage of the homesters by a goal to nil. The “basket” having gone the round, Wilson restarted and an instant attack was inaugurated with the result that Milward beat Gee with a clinkling shot, which the custodian completely failed to reach. On restarting Latta contributed a sequence of exceedingly clever play, which brought about an attack that seriously jeopardize the visitors’ goal. For a length of time a gallant defence was made, but eventually Geary got the ball at his toes, and with an electric shot Gee again surrendered his charge. For a time the play was of a desultory character, the proceedings eventually being enlivened by Holt taking a shot at goal from half-back, which sailed harmlessly over the bar after which Brady shot outside with his left, when the goal appeared to lie at his mercy. At length Wilson and McLaren momentarily located at the Everton end, only to find Smalley repel the attack with consummate easy and again the Central were placed upon the defensive. The visitors were now playing a very hard game, but they rarely, if ever, got within shooting distance of goal. Later on Latta sent in a long shot from the right, which struck the bar and passed over amidst disappointed cries of “Oh!.” A moment later however, Geary rushed up the centre and finished the quartette with a puzzling shot. The fog now settling down fast on the field of play, but again Geary got away from the centre at top speed and registered a fifth goal, the opposing backs being quite dazed by the celerity of the “medallists” movements. Shortly afterwards the game was brought to a close in favour of Everton by five goals to nil. Teams Everton: – Smalley goal, Hammond, and Hannah (Captain), backs, Doyle, Holt, and Kirkwood, half-backs, Milward, Waugh, Geary, Brady and Latta forwards. Southport Central: – Gee, goal, Dobson, and Hodgkinson, backs, Horton, AcKroyd, and Blinkhorn, half-backs, Lea, McLaren, Fecitt, Barton, and Wilson forwards.

EVERTON’S CHRISTMAS PERFORMANCES.

Cricket and Football Field – Saturday 28 December 1889

By Mickey Free

The first item calling for notice was the Cup tie with Southport Central on Christmas Day. So far as the weather was concerned the day was fine but the ground was in terrible state, despite the praiseworthy efforts of the executive to get into something like trim; in fact their anxiety on this point was so great, especially as regards the match versus Bootle, that they preferred to pay their guarantee to the Belfast club and scratch the match, The Southport men were prompt, and Everton, with their team somewhat mixed up, owing to the absence of Cain. Parry and Chadwick were also up to time. Hammond went full back in place of Doyle, who disported himself at half-back. Kirkwood also played half, and the veteran Waugh partnered Milward. The only feature of the entry of the teams was the cordial greeting awarded the old Everton back, George Dobson, and very well he performed, saving many a good shot with his head, but with the exception of exceptional an occasional spurt by Fecitt and Wilson, the Central were never very dangerous, and Everton passed into the semi-final for the Liverpool Cup by six goals to nil.

LIVERPOOL DISTRICT AND NOTES

Athletic News – Monday 30 December 1889

By The Loiterer

On Christmas Day Southport Central visited Anfield to play off the Liverpool Cup Tie with Everton.  A large crowd was present, and George Dobson and his comrades received a hearty welcome, George especially coming in for an ovation from his old friends.  The ground was very heavy, and the Sandgrounders did not shape so well.  This is hardly to be wondered at when it is taken into consideration what a different kind of turf, or rather sand, they are accustomed to, and they did very well to get off with a five goal’s to none defeat.