While Goodison Park puts up the Soccer shutters tomorrow, for three months, football will finished less than a couple of hours when baseball takes over. But let’s deal with soccer first, Everton have Southport as visitors in the second game in the Liverpool Senior Cup final. In the old days these minor cup matches took a very back seat. During the war they have filled a much felt want, when clubs have been k.o’d in the League Cup, and tomorrow’s match promises to be as stern and keen an encounter as any we have witnessed this season, not excluding Liverton Derbies. Southport determination to have a real bang at lifting the trophy is very evident from their side. They’ve spread their net thoroughly and booked a big array of guest stars, so that Everton’s task is more formidable than it might otherwise have been. This is Southport’s first visit to Goodison this season. Last year they were beaten heavily by the Blues in the League Cup a result which we can ignore completely as a guide to the present encounter, for tomorrow’s visiting side is vastly stronger than any previous war-time combination turned out by the sand-grounders. What with Kinsell, Blackpool’s star back, a big “Bob” Prdye of Blackburn, Pearson the Newcastle Scot who has played for England. Jimmy Dougal, Preston’s quick-silver centre forward and all the rest of Southport’s stars, to say nothing of Lawton, Sam Jones and Everton’s stalwarts, the team sheet has the hall mark of ability of it in very un-May like manner. Teams; Everton; Burnett; Jones (Jack), Greenhalgh; Grant, Jones (Sam), Watson; Jackson, Bentham, Lawton, Glidden, (or A.N. Other), McIntosh. Southport; Conway; Pope, Kinsell; Simpkins, Woodruff, Martin; Gardner, Mutch, Dougal, Rawlings, Pearson.

There is one player, who is going to make all the difference to Everton’s hopes. I refer to the season’s leading goal scorer Tommy Lawton who takes over leadership of the attack. The fact that Lawton has scored 63 goals this season proves what a danger he is going to be to Southport. With neither Tommy Jones nor Norman Low available, Sam Jones, who began the season as an Everton “guest” takes over centre-half duties. Sam is the Blackpool Irish International and a brilliant player capable of welding together any defence. Everton have a doubt at inside-left where “Danny” Glidden, of Tranmere Rovers may play. Secretary Mr. Theo Kelly has also included “A.N. Other,” and this may prove to be an international. We shall see when we reach the ground. This tie is due to start at 3.0 p.m. and I think we shall see an exhibition of constructive football better than in most league games. Their should be a little extra keenness about the game, for the winning of the cup carries with it the award of War Saving Certificates which will bring back memories of the pre-war bonus. Despite Southport’s array of stars, I think Everton will win. Everton; Burnett; Jones (Jack), Greenhalgh; Grant, Jones (Sam), Watson; Jackson, Bentham, Lawton, Glidden, (or A.N. Other), McIntosh. Southport; Conway; Pope, Kinsell; Simpkins, Woodruff, Martin; Gardner, Mutch, Dougal, Rawlings, Pearson.

SCRAMBLING GAME AT GOODISON

May 15, 1944, The Liverpool Daily Post

Everton 0, Southport 1

Southport’s Win

By Ranger.

A scrambling sort of goal scored by Dougal after 20 minutes gave Southport the victory over Everton in the Liverpool Senior Cup final at Goodison Park. While the general run of the play was on a par with the goal –rather scrambling and scrappy-Southport produced some nice combination in the first half, during which they were well on top, and would have been well in front at the interval had they taken their chances. Instead, they cancelled out good approach work by good finishing, leaving themselves an uphill task of hanging on to their lead when Everton took over the attacking role after the resumption. Southport were penned in their own territory for long stretches in the second half, but Everton’s finishing was no better than Southport’s and with the visiting defence sound and solid in every department, Everton seldom looked like equalising. Even when they had easy chances they threw them away by over-finesse or hasty shooting. Southport’s second half attack though spasmodic, usually looked more dangerous than Everton’s but the home defence by this time had got the measure of the opposition. Though the players protested strongly when Referee Roberts disallowed the point which Glidden netted half-way through his half, in my opinion the decision was correct. Everton; Burnett, goal; Jones (Jack) and Greenhalgh, backs; Grant, Jones (S.) (Blackpool), and Watson, half-backs; Watson, Bentham, Lawton (captain), Glidden (Reading) and McIntosh (Preston), forwards. Southport;- Conway (West ham), goal; Pope (Blackpool) and Kinsell (Blackpool), backs; Simpkins, Woodruff (Burnley), and Martin (Hearts), half-backs; Gardner (Burnley), Dougal (Preston), Rawlings (Millwall) and Pearson (Newcastle), forwards. Referee; Mr. S.N. Roberts (Liverpool).
• Liverpool beat Bolton 3-2, Welsh (2), Done, for Liverpool and Hughes, Own goal, Lofthouse, for Bolton.

LIVERPOOL SENIOR CUP

May 13, 1944. The Liverpool Echo

Southport Take The Lead

By Ranger.

Everton; Burnett, goal; Jones (Jack) and Greenhalgh, backs; Grant, Jones (S.) (Blackpool), and Watson, half-backs; Watson, Bentham, Lawton (captain), Glidden (Reading) and McIntosh (Preston), forwards. Southport;- Conway (West ham), goal; Pope (Blackpool) and Kinsell (Blackpool), backs; Simpkins, Woodruff (Burnley), and Martin (Hearts), half-backs; Gardner (Burnley), Dougal (Preston), Rawlings (Millwall) and Pearson (Newcastle), forwards. Referee; Mr. S.N. Roberts (Liverpool). Everton and Southport started their second leg of the Liverpool Senior Cup level pegging before a crowd of about 15,000 at Goodison Park. A good chance for Southport to open the score came when Greenhalgh sliced his clearance and the ball went to Dougal, who, however, shot hurriedly high over the bar. Bentham fired over when Lawton set him going with a neatly placed header and then came a spell of bright combination from Southport which produced one good effort from Rawlings confidently caught by Burnett and another over the bat shot by Dougal. Conway had to give a corner to save a header by Lawton. The lively ball was difficult to control and both defences frequently over kicked the forwards. Gardner was well off the mark with an angled shot, and Dougal, could not just get the ball to his liking when Mutch gave him a canny up the middle pass. Southport, who had done the major portion of the attacking and had been much quicker on the ball, took the lead after twenty minutes when Pearson put the ball into the penalty area, Rawlings tapped it forward, and Dougal finally kneed it pass Burnett. Only a minute later Everton had a narrow escape when Jones (J.E.) appeared from nowhere to kick away right on the line.

EVERTON LET ONE GO

May 15, 1944. The Liverpool Echo

Ranger’s Notes

Southport denied Everton even the consolation balm of lifting the Liverpool Senior Cup. The least said about the Everton attack in this anything but-brilliant finale, the better. Though Southport were confined to their own territory for three-parts of the second half, Everton seldom looked like equalising. True, they got the ball in the net once, and though some of the crowd wrath when Referee Stan Roberts disallowed the point, I agreed with him. Southport won through a “kneed” goal by Dougal after 20 minutes and though they were on the collar most of the second portion they were worthy of their victory, if only for their grand approach work in the first half. Some of their combination was excellent, but their finishing was just as bad as Everton’s.

Everton – Southport Duel

Liverpool Evening Express – 13/05/1944

By PILOT

Southport brought ten “guest” stars to oppose Everton in the Liverpool Senior Cup Final at Goodison Park today, the only Southport club player being Simpkins. Everton had Sam Jones, the Irish International at centre-half, and Glidden, of Reading and Tranmere Rovers, at inside-left.

The arrangement is that if there is no decision at the end of 90 minutes and the 30 minutes extra time, the clubs will become joint holders of the Cup.

But the first goal in extra time would be taken as the decider.

EVERTON: Burnett; Jones (Jack), Greenhalgh; Graut, Jones (Sam), Watson; Jackson, Bentham, Lawton, Glidden, McIntosh.

SOUTHPORT: Conway; Pope, Kinsell; Simpkins, Woodruffe, Martin; Gardner, Mutch, Dougal, Rawlings, Pearson.

Referee: Mr S.N. Roberts (Liverpool).

The game opened on a dull note, apart from one neat bit of combination between Jackson and Bentham, 

but then Lawton split the Southport defence apart with a wide pass to Jackson, who shot on the run but Kinsell covered the shot which passed outside.

Everton moved forward following neat Lawton-headed pass, but the ball went over the top, and then Pearson ran to the line only to-finish weekly.

Southport should have taken the lead when a clever combination got Everton moving the wrong way, but Pearson, with only Burnett to beat, shot over.

Burnett then made a good save from Dougal.

Southport seemed more dangerous, and Dougal missed an easy chance, while but for the vigilance of Sam Jones, Gardner and Mutch would have been busy.

DOUGAL SCORES

It was from the opposite wing that the first goal came in 20 minutes, Dougal being the scorer.

Pearson hooked the ball in and Dougal allowed it to run down his body into the net.

Jack Jones saved a certain goal when Dougal beat his namesake and turned the ball back for Rawlings to shoot, but Jones dropped back on the goal-line to turn the shot out.

EVERTON NEW SCHEME FINDS FAVOUR

May 15, 1944. The Evening Express

Pilot’s Log

The scheme for football season 1944-45 which has become known as “the Everton plan,” may, with certain small adjustments, become part of the proposals to be put before the clubs at the July annual meeting by the Management Committee. If this is so, then there can be little doubt about the adoption of the idea. The Management Committee has I know, spent hours working out the most attractive scheme, but they have, and always have been only too ready to accept help from the clubs. No doubt the wisdom of just reward for high placing in the No 1 championship rather than having to run the gauntlet of a qualifying competition for one recognition has appealed to the sportsmanship of President Mr. Will Cuff and his co-Committeeman I am not surprised. And the suggestion to give a week’s grace between each round of the cup competition is almost an essential to the easy completion of the long football programme. This idea would naturally commend itself to the Management Committee who while mapping out their own plans, will always spare a thought for the various County Associations who have cup competitions. And the County Association are behind Everton’s idea wholeheartedly. Those odd weeks will give them the chance to get their competitions through without having to wait until the summer. Why, only on Saturday did we last clear up the 1943-44 county cups. The actual League proposals may not be out for some time, but the hint that the Management Committee is behind this plan is highly encouraging.
With so many master stars in action I hope to receive consolation for the lack of constructive art in the Liverpool Cup final between Everton and Southport at Goodison Park, which the Port won a Dougal’s goal after 20 minutes. Frankly the game disappointed me, although many of the 13,111 spectators seemed to be enjoying themselves. I like soccer thrills as well as the next man but do like them when they are borne of craftsmanship and accuracy in methods. It was not so in this instance.
Two Phrases
There was little cohesion work. Neither side had a player of the Stevenson type who could hold a ball and create an opening by drawing the defence out of position. George Mutch did give up brief glimpse of these arts, but generally it was a case of getting rid of the ball as quickly as possible with not much though where or to whom. The player who suffered more than anyone side because of this was Tommy Lawton, the Blues captain for the day. Generally any rounded by three players –Woodruff was always there –Lawton had little chance because no one thought fit to try a little holding and drawing. I felt really sorry for Lawton, who seemed so surprised at getting two half chances early in the second half that he missed them. This was a game of individual endeavour, one or two distinct phases. In the first half Southport –let me add here that I made them worthy winners –were much more adaptable than Everton, and with any semblance of balance in front of goal must have been four up instead of one. Everton were as so many units during that period so far as attack was concerned and had not Jack Jones, Greenhalgh and Burnett been on top form the game would have been over. As it was Everton were given a “life” and with McIntosh responding to the calls of Glidden, Lawton and Watson better the Blues took charge in the second half. Apart from rare and sudden raids little was seen of the Southport attack, but their defence put up a grand show. Pope and Kinsell offering excellent cover for Woodruff, Simpkins, the only Southport club player, doing fine work and Martin of the Hearts subduing the Bentham, Jackson and Martin appeared to me at one of the most accomplished ball players afield. Martin gave us football whereas so many made it “air ball.” What a success Martin would be in the First Division of peace days. Southport had their anxious moments in the closing stages, but they deserved their success, excellently controlled by Mr. Stan Roberts. Glidden had a good first game for the Blues and Sam Jones did well late on. Grant worked like a Trojan, but wasted the ball too often. Pearson was the most immaculate forward of one allows for Lawton’s lack of support. It was good to see Mr. Harry Mansley, vice-chairman of Chester among the boardroom “guest” under Chairman Mr. Will Gibbons, and Mr. Mansley stayed on to have a taste of baseball.

There’s nothing “end-of-the-seasonish” about Southport’s attitude to their cup final game against Everton at Goodison on Saturday. The Sandgrounders are dead keen to lift the Liverpool senior Cup from their rivals and with that end in view have gone all but for a star-studded side. And there’s no mistaking that they’ve got it. In addition to Woodruff, Dougal, Gardner, and Conway, who assisted them last week, Southport have still further strengthened the side by the inclusion of Kinsell, Blackpool’s grand left back who is up to international standard on what I saw of him in the semi-final at Manchester. Pearson the Blackpool and Newcastle winger and Pryde Blackburn’s strapping centre half. The result is a most formidable combination which will test Everton to the full, and as the teams start off level-pegging, there ought to be another big gate to ring down the Goodison curtain until August. The Liverpool Senior Cup is a very handsome trophy, much more imposing that the F.A. or League cups, and well worth the winning.

Three stars from last week’s North Cup Final, and nine internationals altogether, will participate in the Liverpool Senior Cup final- second “leg” –between Everton and Southport at Goodison Park on Saturday when the clubs start level at 1-1. Both clubs have secured a galaxy of stars to provide a brilliant wind-up to the Goodison season. As I mentioned two days ago Everton will have the aid of Sam Jones, the Blackpool and Ireland half-back, as deputy for Tommy Jones, while Tommy Lawton now on the 63 goals mark for the season, returns to lead the forwards. “Danny” Glidden, the Reading and Tranmere Rovers forward is included at inside left, his came being bracketed with A.N. Other” who might easily prove to be another star. Everton’s other internationals are Jack Jones and George Jackson. Jackson is again included in the provisional forward line of six players, including the mystery A.N. Other while Jack Jones partners Greenhalgh at back, and Grant and Watson will be the wing’s half-backs. Altogether it looks a useful combination with solidity in defence and penetrative power forward, for Bentham and McIntosh are also among the attackers. Everton; Burnett; Jones (Jack), Greenhalgh; Grant, Jones (Sam), Watson; (from); Jackson, Bentham, Lawton, A.N. Other, Glidden, McIntosh.
Everton Reserves play Marine in a charity match; Howson; McDonnell, Doyle; Ashley, Rees, Eyes; Makin, Dailey, Wyles, Wootton, Trowsdale.