EVERTON ARRANGEMENTS

December 23, 1915. The Evening Express, Liverpool

The inclusion of Galt in the Everton team to meet Southport Central on Christmas Day is sure to prove a strong drawing factor, and it is satisfactory to know that Parker is expected to appear, so that the team will be particularly powerful. The side was given in our later editors yesterday and the Southport team also appeared in my notes. For the sake of reference, therefore, I give the teams as they will face each other. Everton; Fern; Thompson, McConnachie; Fleetwood, Galt, Wareing; Chedgzoy, Jefferis, Parker, Clennell, Grenyer. Southport Central; Capper; Dorward, Holbem; Holdsworth, Fay, Abrams; Merritt, Caulfield, Lightfoot, Stringfellow, Semple.

EVERTON’S VICTORY

December 27, 1915. The Evening Express, Liverpool

Everton were always just too good for Southport Central and the twenty thousand or so spectators who partonisied the match at Goodison Park saw an excellent game, in which not a dull moment intruded. Some of the work of the home forwards was a model of artistry, their accurate grand passing, notably in the first half being of the bewildering order and keeping the Southport defence on full stretch all the time. They did excellent to keep the home side from scoring in the first half, and the two goals obtained in the second point-one propitiously enough coming from Galt, who captained the side –were thoroughly deserved. All round the football was of a lively and brisk description and all the player may he complimented upon a notably clean, clever and energetic game.

Whole Hearted Form

The players on either side were thoroughly keen, and an excellent display was as indicated forthcoming. On the home side it was eminently satisfactory that Galt succeeded in scoring and he played a hard-working game throughout. Chedgzoy was probably the best forward on the field, many of his touches being delightfully artistic, whilst Clennell was always active and alert for opportunity. Parker was as usual, forceful and to Fleetwood belongs the distinction of being the most polished half-back. Thompson and Simpson played resolutely and Fern was always absolutely safe in his clearance, one stoppage early in the game from Lightfoot being a perfect piece of judgment.

The Central Player

Drabble defended his goal stoutly, and whilst the Southport backs were never allowed any rest, and worked hard all through the visiting halves were a busy and effective trio. Lightfoot and Caulfield gave a capital forward exhibition and Semple was never at a loss for work, but the Everton players were all round the superior side, and taken all through every moment of the game was well worth watching.
Everton 2, Southport Central 0, Galt and Clennell scored for Everton.

EVERTON 2 SOUTHPORT CENTRAL 0

December 27, 1915. The Liverpool Courier.

EVERTON’S CHRISTMAS VICTORY.

CLEAR WIN OVER SOUTHPORT

Lancashire section principal tournament

In a strenuous game, wherein they always showed themselves in the light of a superior side, Everton on Christmas Day inflicated a decisive, if not quite a runaway, defeat upon Southport Central. There was a splendid crowd of fully 20,000 spectators, and they were treated by both eleven’s to a splendid and invigorating exhibition of football.

A BLANK FIRST HALF

If the first half produced no goals, it at any rate yielded some most picturesque football from the home vanguard. Simpson was playing in place of Macconnachie, and for the first few minutes the home side were without his services. The goals was not, however, subjected to any danger, and simultaneous with the left back’s arrival on the scene of hostilities Parker made off in the direction of Drabble, shooting at long range outside. A long shot by Lightfoot went unpleasantly near the mark, and at the other end Chedgzoy, who was always a conspicuous figure, was penalised for offside, only, however, to return promptly to the attack and carry the ball behind under severe pressure. The first really dangerous direct shot of the game was from the home outside right, who from an awkward angle drove in with characteristic accuracy for Drabble to effect a sound clearance. The visitors forced a corner and a similar advantage accrued to the Blues through Chedgzoy after the home forwards and halves had indulged in a spell of must attractive combined work. An opening forced by Jefferis enabled Parker to shoot for goal, but the attempts was out of direction, although he was much more correct in his aim on seizing a fine centre from Chedgzoy a moment later. The home centre drove in hard and true, and Drabble brought off a splendid save at the cost of a corner, from which nothing material resulted. Everton continued to show beautiful passing many of their movements quite nonplussing their visitors, who were fortunate in keeping their goal intact. A burst by Semple, who shot well at the finish of the effort. Fern clearing nearly, relieved the pressure on the Central goal, and although the visitors improved towards half-time, nothing came in the scoring line, and the teams crossed over on a goalless quality.

A VICTORIOUS SECOND HALF.

Although from the playing standpoint the second half did not produce the series of methodical movements such as the first half had witnessed the home team remained altogether the cleverer and the better combination. The earlier onslaught, however were brought about by the visitors, who went away with a terrific burst, and Merritt forced a corner off Simpson, from which Semple compelled Fern to clear. Abrams temporarily left the field, but he soon resumed, and then, when play in the second portion had proceeded for ten minutes, the long-deferred goal came to the home team. Clennell snapped up a neat pass, and showing no hesitation he shot at Dorward tackled him, and making no error in his aim, he sent the ball hard and fast out of Drabble grasp. The Southport custodian instituted a vigorous appeal for offside, but the referee (Mr. L. Hitchen) who was well placed to adjudge the situation, displayed no hesitation in awarding a goal. Some lively exchanges followed, the visitors palpably not relishing the reverse, but all their efforts to pierce the home defence were of no avail, and Everton maintained a marked superiority. When eighteen minutes had elapsed Galt, who was officiating as captain of the home forces had the supreme satisfaction of registering the second point for his side. It was thoroughly good goal and was enthusiastically cheered. The Central showed no relaxing of their efforts and they played up with considerable spirit, but the home defence was not really caught napping, and maintained a sturdy resolute from to all the attack of their opponents. Galt success proved to be the concluding goal of an always-energetic contested game, with the visitors being unable to defeat Fern and his co defenders. Everton deservedly won by two goals to nothing.

KEEN CONTESTANTS.

The players on either side were thoroughly keen, and an excellent display was as indicated forthcoming. On the home side it was eminently satisfactory that Galt succeeded in scoring, and he played a hard working game throughout. Chedgzoy was probably the best forward on the field, many of his touches being delightfully artistic, whilst Clennell was always active and alert for opportunity Parker was as usual forceful, and Fleetwood belongs the distinction of being the must polished half-back. Thompson and Simpson played resolutely, and Fern was always absolutely safe in his clearances, one stoppage early in the game from Lightfoot being a perfect piece of judgement. Drabble defended his goal stoutly, and whilst the Southport backs were never allowed any rest, and worked hard all through, the visiting halves were a busy and effective trio. Lightfoot and Camfield gave a capital forward exhibition, and Semple was never at a loss for work, but the Everton players were all round the superior side, and taken all through every moment of the game was well worth watching. The teams were: – Everton: – Fern, goal, Thompson, and Simpson, backs, Fleetwood, Galt (Captain), and Wareing, half-backs, Chedgzoy, Jefferis, Parker, Clennell, and Grenyer, forwards. Southport Central: – Drabble, goal, Dorward, and Holbem, backs, Holdsworth, Fay, and Abrams, half-backs, Merritt, Camfield, Lightfoot, Stringfellow, and Semple, forwards.