Match Report – 13/04/1903

SOUTHPORT CENTRAL 2 EVERTON 1

April 13, 1903. The Liverpool Courier

A large crowd gathered at Southport to witnessed the match between the Central and Everton on Saturday. The Weather was dull and threatening, and there was a strong wind, while rain fell soon after the start. The teams were: – Southport: – Garvey, goal, Spink, and Nightingale, backs, Sinclair, Bell, and F.Chorlton, half-backs, J.Chorlton, Shadbolt, Hulligan, Cooper, and Kelly forwards. Everton: – Kitchen, goal, Henderson, and Crelly, backs, Wolstenholme, Russell, and Makepeace, half-backs, Rankin, Taylor (captain), Sheridan, O’Hagan, and Bell, forwards . Southport won the toss, and Everton started against the wind. The game opened very tamely, but it was not long before Everton began to put the pace on, and a smart run by Rankin gave Wolstenholme a good chance, but the ball shot over. Then Bell went away on the other wing to be robbed by Spink. A moment later Bell had another try, and getting nicely round Sinclair opened the scored the score, with a screw shot which, Garvey no chance. Without going to any great exertion Everton continued to have the upper hand, and a fruitless corner by Bell was followed by some smart saves by Garvey. Southport made a fine dash down, but were bustled back. Everton easily keeping the mastery over the movement of the home forwards. Cooper sent the ball across to Kelly, but Wolstenholme upset the combination, and the Everton forwards again attack Sinclair being the only one of the Southport halves which showed any idea of holding them back. Bell centred from the corner flag, and the ball was bundled into the net, but no goal was allowed, as Garvey had been fouled, Southport then had a turn and for a time pressed, and Kitchen saved from Hulligan. Southport were now playing better, and Kitchen was again called upon, and had to give a corner in saving brilliantly from Chorlton. A moment later Shadbolt shot over when he had only Kitchen to beat, but shortly afterwards J.Chorlton equalised while Kitchen was on the ground. From a free kick close to Kitchen. Sheridan broke away and ran the length of the field, and in spite of an attempt to foul by Nightingale, got in a shot, which Garvey saved. The referee having cautioned Nightingale, allowed a free kick, from which Everton were dangerous until Bell cleared. The home goal had a very near shave just before the interval, Sheridan shooting over while Garvey was out. Half-time Southport 1, Everton 1.
The rain cleared off during the interval, Bell raced away on the line, but Spink tipped the ball over it. Everton pressed for some time, but could not get through, and the effort ended in the ball going wide. The play of the visiting team was much the prettier, but throughout the game they went about their work in a leisurely manner. Near the finish the Central attack, and J,Chorlton scored. Central 2, Everton 1.