EVERTON RESERVES 3 SOUTHPORT CENTRAL 0

April 6 1912. The Liverpool Daily Post and Mercury.

CENTRAL LEAGUE

The Central League fixture with Southport Central formed the holiday attraction at Goodison Park. Right from the outset Everton seemed the aggressive and the Central defence was given plenty of work. It was just as well for the visitors that Wright was in good form, for he gave a really clever exhibition and saved numerous fine shots. Gault worked hard and successfully in the centre and distributed the play with great evenness. As evidence of the aggressive nature of the Everton attack, it may be mentioned that Berry was more or less a spectator. At the same time, the afforts of the Southport forwards were by no means forceful, and Balmer and Meunier were, generally speaking capable of dealing effectively with such movements as looked dangerous. At the end of half an hour’s play Burton scored for Everton after the ball had been passed and repassed across the Central goal. Holt was given a couple of excellent chances to place his side on even terms, but his finishing work was weak. Half time Everton 1 goal, Southport Central nil.

In the first five minutes of the second period Southport had a glorious chance of equalising Semple put in a lofty shot which Berry could not handle, and the ball was returned to Semple who with the Everton defence beaten could only place it high over the bar. The play in the second half was more even, but Everton always appeared to have measures of their opponents. Gault added a second goal rather cleverly from a nice centre by Robinson, Wright being just too late to get the ball, although he left his goal to do so. Twice the visitors came very near scoring, and on one occasion Berry rushed the ball behind just as it was entering the corner of the net. In the last fifteen minutes Gault scored a third goal from a corner well placed by Chedgzoy. Everton were the better-balanced side, and adopted more forceful tactics than their opponents. On the play they were easily entitled to the full points. Result Everton 3, Central nil. Teams : – Everton: – Berry, goal, Balmer, and Meunier, backs, Allan, Weller, and Grenyer, half-backs, Chedgzoy, Pinkney, Gault, Burton, and Robinson, forwards. Southport Central: – W. Wright, goal, Rose, and Hodges, backs, Cooper, Seller, and J. Wright, half-backs, Holt, Mosscrop, Radford, Grieve, and Semple, forwards.