EVERTON AT SOUTHPORT

September 20, 1918. The Evening Express

By CRI

The “Blues” go to Southport, where they will meet stiff opposition from the reconstructed Ash Lane side, who have a number of promising players in the ranks. Everton are compelled to make one change, as Wareing has suffered bereavement in the loss of his wife’s mother. We extend our sympathy to him. Southport introduces a new centre forward in R. Jones who has played in the Birmingham League. Everton; Mitchell; Thompson, Robinson; Fleetwood, Cotter, Grenyer; Miller, Jefferis, Gault, Clennell, Donnachie. Southport; Capper; Dorward, Hurst; C. Roberts, Fay, Garner; Ashton, Caulfield, R. Jones, Geddes. Coats.
Junior Derby
There will be an attractive match at Goodison where the Reserves of Everton and Liverpool meet under the auspice of the Lancashire Combination. He many admirers will be pleased to know that Kenneth Campbell thinks his arm is again strong enough and he will be given a run with the juniors. The kick-off is 3.30. Everton; Lawson; Riley, and Winders; S.F. Ledger, Nelson, and Parle; Cosgrove, Gray, Ledger, Christie, and Bell. Liverpool; Campbell; Hewitt, and Stanefield; Jeffes, Robertson, and Hughes; F. Lewis, Cross, Hale, Green, and Phillips.

AT SOUTHPORT

September 21, 1918. The Liverpool Football Echo

Everton Struggle With Vulcan Side

Everton; Mitchell, goal; Robinson and Thompson, backs; Fleetwood, Cotter and Grenyer, half-backs; Miller, Jefferis, Gault, Clennell, and Donnachie, forwards. Southport Vulcan; Capper, goal; Dorward and Hurst, backs; C. Roberts, Fay, and Garner, half-backs; Ashton, Caulfield, Jones, Geddes, and Coats, forwards. Referee; Mr. H. Rylance.
F.E.H
The Vulcan side was strongly represented at Ash-Lane today, and Everton had hoped for their “usual” side but bereavement in Wareing’s family led to a shutting in the half back line, Cotter coming in. The visitors were received by a downpour of rain and the Vulcan brass hand. It was ten minutes after the appointed time when operations began; before a very sparkle but sportsmen like company. Southport were the first to make ground but they were well checked on the right, and the Everton forwards at once delighted, the already doused spectators with a perfect bit of combined work. Donanchie initiated the movement with a sprightly run and pass, which was taken up in turn by Gault and Jefferis but the latter’s effort was too strong, and Miller could not prevent the ball from going into touch. Jefferis immediately tried to make demands by wriggling through on his own account and he finished with a lefty shot which passed over the bar. Southport rallied gamely, and Coats and Geddes threatened trouble when Thompson jumped the breach and cleared.
The Three Muskerers.
The visitors were speedily on the job again and Capper was called upon to deal with hot shots from the three inside men. Fortunately the home keeper was in tip-top form and he was especially smart in fisting away a difficult dropping shot from Miller after a corner had been forced. For quite a long period Everton who had the wind in their favour, were masters of the situation. They practically kept Southport penned in their own quarters, and it was only the greasy state of the turf that prevailed then showing great accurate in shooting. Nevertheless the Evertonians kept persisting pegging away and following upon a further attack on the right, success crowned their efforts. Miller having lobbed the ball into the goalmouth there was a desperate bully at close range and Capper, failing to hold a hot shot from Gault, allowed the leather to enter the net. It was a costly mistake but the point was no more than the visitors deserved. Having established the lead, Everton proceeded a further bombard the home goal and Grenyer put in a hard drive which was only dropped of at the top of the corner. This led to another exciting bully, and Jefferis almost succeeded in defeating Capper with a hard ground shot. Play was becoming in favour of the visitors, when Southport roused themselves to some purpose and Jones gave Mitchell his first opportunity of showing his powers of custodianship.
His Head In The Way
This danger having been brushed aside, the worse of the blue jersey resumed the offensive and a hot shot from Gault had scarcely been cleared before Clennell, from a free kick sent in a deadly drive which was unfortunately incepted by Fay whom must have ached after the deflection. Still the Evertonians persisted in their attempt to the Vulcan goal and from a judicious forward pass Gault headed a second goal after Capper had once handled the wet and heavy ball. The Southport forwards simply could not get going and when Gault and Co swooped down again the rolled Clennell over in the penalty area. Everton’s inside left took the kick but he drove the ball wide of the mark. The home side played up pluckily but frankly the were no match for the cleverer opponents who were really mereful in their strength. Thus Jefferis, Gault and Clennell all shot widely when a little steadiness must have resulted in further disaster to Capper’s charge. Half a dozen times Fay made gallant attempts to give his forwards the imitative but all to no purpose and just before the interval Everton attack was one directed with redoubled vigour. Miller sent in a wonderfully the cross shot which capper bungled and Gault had only to nudge it into the net, when he also threw an open goal away. The home left wing pair made a last desperate rally, and the ball was lobbed in towards Mitchell but Thompson intervened and Everton were once again pressing when the interval came.
Half-time; Southport Vulcan 0, Everton 2.
Second Half
It was still pouring when he game resumed. Miller showed his wonderful speed by spitting over the wet turf in even time, and although his finished rather lamely the effort led to a course on the other wing. It was cleared after some trouble but the visitors returned to the assault and the remaining stage of the game were in their favour. Donnachie scored a third goal for Everton.

CAPPER’S CLEVERNESS

September 23, 1918. The Evening Express, Liverpool

The remarkably fine goal-keeping of Capper was all that stood between Southport and a heavy reverse according to my colleague “Rover.”
He says that the three clear goals victory of Everton was not a proper indication of the general run of the play for the home side –composed mostly of local talent –were quite outclassed. However, Capper’s work throughout bore the hallmark of class. In a reference to the players he says the new winger, Miller was quite a success. He showed a rare turn of speed, combined with capital control and with Jefferis constituted a powerful right wing. The pair were seen to great advantage in the first portion of play while in the second period Donnachie and Clennell came more into the picture. Gault was responsible for the two goals in the first half, while on turning round Donnachie after several dexterous touches also netted. There were other opportunities that were wasted, and Clennell failed at a penalty. At half-back Grenyer played one of his best games and the trio throughout had the situation well in hand. Thompson and Robinson were only occasionally harassed and Mitchell was rarely in difficulty. By the way my Southport Correspondent tells me that the Vulcan club has such a long list of players available that it has been decided to form a reserve team, and application has been made for admission to the Liverpool League.

EVERTON STILL WINNING

September 23, 1918. The Liverpool Echo

Everton experienced something in the nature of a walk-over against Southport Vulcan whom they defeated in the hollowest fashion by three clear goals. This margin might easily have been trebled had the visitors cared to extend themselves. They were however, generous to an obviously inferior foe and among chances too numerous to mention they threw away a penalty, Clennell performing the “missing a haystack” stunt. Considering the afternoon and the greasy state of the turf, played ruled agreeably fast though it became speedly apparent that there was only one team in it. Miller as outside right showed a rare turn of speed, and fitted well into the general scheme of things Cotter also did well at centre half.