EVERTON RES V. SOUTHPORT CENTRAL

March 25 1915. Evening Express, Liverpool

With Everton at Birmingham in quest of the Cup and Liverpool without an engagement through the same cause, Southport Central had the honour of being a first-class attraction at Goodison Park. There would be 2,000 spectators present at the outset when the teams lined out as follows: – Everton: – Bromilow, goal; Page and Stewart, backs; Brown, Wareing, and Roy, half-backs; Palmer, Nuttall, Wright, Howarth, and Roberts, forwards. Southport Central: – Hodgkiss, goal; Whatmough, and Hurst, backs; Rigby, Spruce, and Bibby, half-backs; A. Smith, Dixon, Stringfellow, McGuffie, and Semple, forwards. The Central started, and were operating in Everton’s goal in the first minute of play. Bromilow fisting out a cross shot from Semple. The danger was averted and then Palmer and Nuttall showed clever work in getting down, but the latter’s shot went the wrong side of the upright. Everton were the cleverer in midfield, but they met with stubborn opposition from the Central backs. The Central had a lucky escape shortly afterwards when Wright got pasts the backs and had but the goalkeeper to beat. The latter left his citadel and just deflected the centre’s shot. Howarth was in close attendance, but he allowed Whatmough to charge down his shot. Then Hogkiss was loudly applauded for a splendid save from Roberts, who sent in a fast ground shot, which the goalkeeper intercepted and threw out. Subsequently the centre forwards gained possession, and Strongfellow sent out to Smith, who with a first time shot, beat Bromilow. Everton tried to get on level teams, but their shots were ill-directed or charged down. Wright endeavoured to plough his way through with no success whilst Palmer from short range missed a palpable opening, and Roberts at the other side was similarly unsuccessful. The Everton forwards showed poor form when near goal and persisted in passing when within a couple of yards from the objective. Nearing the interval Stringfellow scored another goal for the Central. Half-time Everton nil, Southport Central 2.

EVERTON RESERVES 0 SOUTHPORT CENTRAL 3

March 27, 1915. The Liverpool Football Club.

CENTRAL LEAGUE

At Goodison Park. Southport went off merrily at the start but were soon pulled up, and Palmer and Nuttall made things away in the Southport camp, Wright being offside. The wingmen came again and Nuttall shot wide. Semple made a fine run for Central and his middle gained a corner, but Everton were soon attacking again although fruitlessly. Wright went away only to be spoiled by Hodgkiss, who advanced out of his goal. Howarth came into possession, but instead of firing at the empty goal, he diddled about and Rigby robbed him. Wright nearly got Hodgkiss in a knot, and a shot from Nuttall produced a barren corner. Southport broke away and a centre from Smith went in Everton’s goal off Page. Everton made numerous mistakes and Springfellow scored the second goal, and at half-time the Central were winning by two goals to nil. The second half commenced slightly in favour of Everton, but nevertheless the game was lifeless until Roberts made a great dash, his shot only gainning a barren corner. For a while Everton combined to operate in Southport’s quarters, but could do nothing right, and eventually Semple led the way into the Everton half, and after a corner had fallen to the visitors, matters were very lively in Everton’s goalmouth. Watmough scored the third goal from a penalty kick, against Page.