LIVERPOOL’S FIRST WIN FOR THE LANCASHIRE CUP

Cricket and Football Field September 24, 1892)

After the draw for the various cups this season, and old acquaintance remarked, “Begorrah, ‘Mickey,’ your new club has a couple of soft things for the County and National cups.” “Just howld back yer leg a bit,” ses I, “until it’s all over, and the I’ll tell you all about it.” He looked as if he didn’t exactly see my way of reasoning. Perhaps he will now. Well, one of the so-called soft things came off on Saturday, and by the same token there wasn’t much of the soft substance about it. One thing were certain and mistake, viz., that Jimmy Gee, the Central goalkeeper, was about as hard a nut to crack as any that the Liverpool forwards may meet with during the season. The backs gave a good account of themselves, both Tom Smith and Bethel Robinson (pity they hadn’t a Brown and Jones in the halves!). My old friend Bethel was as juvenile as ever, but do what they would, and they received considerable assistance from John Mayor, the left-half, they could not prevent the ball flying into goal. J. Gee was the shining light of the team. His splendid defence saved his side from as severe a slating as ever they received. I find after writing so far that I have begun at the wrong end, but, sure as that is only natural, I’ll begin at the beginning by way of a change. ‘Twas a lovely day, and the crowds rolled up to the old entrances by thousands. By a mild computation we fixed the gate at six thousand, and I shall go bail that six thousand better pleased spectators never left a football field at the end of a match than those on this occasion. There was a slight alteration in the places of a couple of the team. Andrew Kelvin – I don’t know whether he comes from the bonnie grove of the same name or not – acquitted himself very well at right half-back, instead of outside left. Glen, I think, took his place. I was pleased to see John Miller in his place at centre. He was not up to his usual form, but his style succeeds so admirably in keeping the others cool that his presence made itself felt. Andrew Hannah was obliged to place his men with their faces to the sun, and no sooner had the whistle sounded than a hard-fought game began.

The battle raged all over the field, but the tendency was invariably towards the visitors’ goal. While Gee’s goalkeeping was the feature of the Southport play, so on the other hand was the shooting of the Liverpool forwards. It was a marvel that the Southport goal remained intact up to half-time. Hannah and Duncan McLean were on the alert, whilst James McBride and Joe McQue were in grand form, in fact the latter was almost brilliant at times. The general work of the back division left Sydney Ross with nothing to do whatever.

After crossing over Liverpool went to work with increased determination, yet quite ten minutes elapsed before the trick was done. Jock Smith, after a fine dribble, dodged Bethel and beat Gee amid great cheering. It was a most meritorious performance. The gaining of this point was the climax as Southport were now fairly pumped by their efforts. McLean had to leave the field to have his arm bandaged up, but like the plucky fellow he is, he returned again, and did a lot of excellent work in repulsing the polite attention of Fleetwood and Jack Platt. I don’t want to see the latter play again. When spectators are obliged to hoot a man for his tactics they can’t be good. Close on time a grand scrimmage took lace in the Southport goal, and Liverpool added a second point, thus winning a hard game in fine style. So now, Mr. Editor, the Liverpool boys are ready for the next round.

1st Half:
** Liverpool kicked off, and had to face a brilliant sun.
** Wyllie was the first to make head way, but Robinson and Smith displayed excellent defence.
** Southport left then troubled Hannah.
** McQue was next prominent, and J. Gee had to clear.
** The game became very fast, and there was not much to choose between the teams until close upon half time, when Liverpool took a strong lead and kept the Southport custodian fully employed, shots from McBride, McVean, and Wyllie being successfully negotiated by Gee, who averted danger till change of ends and came in for quite an ovation on crossing over.

2nd Half:
** On resuming, Liverpool at once took up the running, and, after McQue had shot over, the Southport left broke away, and Ross had to handle.
** Play was stopped, owing to McLean coming down heavily and dislocating his arm, but he pluckily returned and continued playing, the injured limb being strapped across his breast.
** This stoppage was followed almost immediately by another one, Platt being the victim this time.
** GOAL: Kelvin got up too late to take advantage of a grand chance, and at length Liverpool gained the much-longed-for goal through the instrumentality of Smith.
** Southport rushed the game to the other end, and an excellent opportunity was thrown away, both Platt and Winstanley finishing badly.
** Wyllie had hard lines at the top goal, the ball rebounding from the upright, and a flying visit was paid to the other end, where captain Hannah cleared in the goal mouth, and the Liverpool right gained possession.
** Wyllie shot in, and from an exciting scrimmage Liverpool scored a second goal just as the whistle blew.
(Liverpool Mercury, 19-09-1892)

It was quite like old times at the Anfield enclosure on Saturday, so far as ‘gate’ was concerned, and the way in which the crowd augurs well for the success of the venture. The game was one of those which the Liverpool folks delight in, and there was never a dull moment during the whole hour and a half. Thanks to the exceptionally clever goal keeping of ‘Jimmy’ Gee the team crossed over with a clean record. Accidents were the order of the day in the second half, not that the play was by any means rough. McLean had his arm dislocated, and then Platt injured his elbow. Smith opened the scoring, cleverly eluding the Southport defence, and second goal was gained just on time – the score beating the whistle by barely half a minute. As has already been said, the crowd had rare value for their money, and Jack was quite as his master. J. Gee was the bright and shining light of the game, and he would be a decided acquisition to any team. The backs defended well, while the Centralites have a trio of hardworking halves. Forward, Platt was not quite so successful as usual, but the left pair gave Hannah no end of trouble. To give the Liverpool such a warm afternoon’s work is certainly a feather in their cap. Ross was never seriously taxed, his skipper and McLean relieving him of any cause there might be for anxiety. The halves were in good trim, McQue being especially noticeable. Forward, Miller greatly improved the forward line by his reappearance, and the others were all there when wanted.
(Liverpool Mercury, 19-09-1892)