SOUTHPORT CENTRAL V EVERTON RESERVES

(Lancashire Combination.- Division 1.)

Cricket and Football Field – Saturday 08 February 1908

This match, played at Southport, attracted a large gate.  Everton were well represented while the home side were at full strength.  Everton kicked off against the breeze, but Central were the first to become prominent.  The right wing got down, but Cooke checked Birch and relieved.  A retaliatory run was stopped by Spink, and then the home right again got going, Graham missing a good chance in the first two minutes.  Southport kept up the attack, and Gate crossed cleverly, but there was nobody at hand to turned the opening to account.  Everton next had a turn, Orrell clearing well, and at the other end Meunier forced a corner, and the visitors’ goal had a narrow escape from downfall.  Centre were having all the play and bombarded the Everton goal, Sloan saving several smarty shots.  A breakaway by the visitors resulted in Mason shooting wide, while Orrell was also brought into action.  He set the home forwards going and Cook, getting cleverly along, eluded the defence, and with a long shot beat Sloan all the way, the ball going into the corner of the net out of his reach.  This was after ten minutes’ play, and the next movement was also by Southpoort.  Gate was grassed just outside the penalty line, Meunier shooting wide.  Everton again made progress and were awarded a free-kick close to the penalty line.  Mason took the kick, and Gaskell saved.  Central again took up the running, and after Sloan had been tested, Crelly in trying to kick away, sent the ball over the crossbar.  The corner was well placed by Birch, and Sloan ran out and fisted away.  Everton now began to have more of the game, and the home defence was kept busy.  Graham (Everton) missed a capital opening.  After a lengthy period of pressure the home forwards again made headway but first Birch and then Cook were pulled up for offside.  The latter also sent wide with a feeble shot.  Meunier, however, retrieved the position and beat Sloan with a grand shot after half an hour’s play.  Midfield play followed and then a free kick was given against Sloan, who was well out of goal and had nobody near him for carrying the ball.  As the result of the free kick, Clavert came near to scoring again; Graham (Everton) missed another promising centre, and Southport were the aggressors, Meunier shot wide, and from another corner the Everton defence was sorely troubled, but there was no further score before the interval, which arrived with Southport Central 2, Everton Reserve 0.  Final; Southport Central 2, Everton Reserve 0.

SOUTHPORT CENTRAL 2 EVERTON RESERVES 0

February 10, 1908. The Liverpool Courier

Lancashire Combination Division One

At Southport on Saturday the Everton men sustained their second defeat of the season, being beaten by the Central by two clear goals. Everton were by no means at full strength having two forwards playing at half-back, and having to call upon Buck to take the place vacated by Donnachie, who was required by the League team. To add to their difficulties, Graham was off all the second half, but at the same time it must be admitted the Sandgrounders were full value for the points. They had the measure of the Goodison men, almost from the first, and Sloan experienced a busy afternoon. All the scoring was done in the first half, Cook and Meunier doing the needful, and the Central now share with Bury the honours of being the only clubs to take down Everton’s number this season. All the winners rendered good services, while for Everton Booth, Crelly, McConnachie, and Sloan did well under difficulties. Everton: – Sloan, goal, MaConnachie and Crelly backs, Rafferty, Booth and Cook, half-backs, Buck, Graham, Mason Mountford, and Winterhalmer forwards.