Corinthians and Southport in Fascinating Game.

“If this is a friendly game, let’s have one every week,” remarked a contented witness of the friendly match between Southport and the Corinthians. Certainly, it was a magnificent game—keen, evenly contested, and highly polished. The Amateurs showed a somewhat neater design in building up their attacks, and rarely was the ball passed through the air except on those occasions when it was sought to bring distant wingmen into action, but all the brightness was not put on the game by the visitors. If Southport’s style of approach was somewhat different, they, too, showed themselves to be familiar with the finer points of the game.

The teamwork of the Corinthians was excellent, and none stood out more prominently than Howard Baker, still a personality among goalkeepers; Creek, whom time treats lightly; and Whewell, a great attacking centre-half back.

Southport were as clever as their opponents in the use of the ball, and they possessed perhaps, a shade more tenacity. Batty, the reserve full back, impressed greatly with his coolness and effectiveness under pressure; and Lindsay was seen at his best at inside left, where Patterson, too, did well until a leg injury compelled him to change places with his partner. Indeed, Southport’s display as a whole was very satisfactory.

The Corinthians’ first visit to Haig Avenue did not prove the attraction that was anticipated, and the attendance was only about 2,000.

The presence of Howard Baker in the Corinthians’ goal gave a touch of local interest, and it was rather remarkable that within two minutes of the start he was beaten by J. Roberts, Southport’s energetic centre-forward from Blundellsands.

Southport’s lead was not of long duration, for a series of raids in which very pretty football was shown culminated in the score being equalised by E. D. Shearer, the visitors’ centre-forward, who weaved his way through the home defence, and left Middleton helpless with a lightning drive.

Howard Baker was fully extended on one occasion, and other attempts went close. Eventually, Lindsay, the outside left, put Southport again ahead with a well-judged shot from a pass by Patterson.

Middleton, Southport’s keeper, was subsequently provided with a lot of work, and distinguished himself by admirable saves from T. Kemp-Welsh, Shearer, and F. N. Creek.

Half-time—Southport 2 Corinthians 1

After the interval, play slackened off somewhat, the most notable movements being speedy runs by Hills on the Southport side and C. R. Bell for the visitors.

One of the Corinthians’ wingers’ dashes was as good as anything seen up to this stage. Shearer again levelled the scores, but Lindsay gave Southport the lead once more.

Lindsay scored again for Southport, and thus completed the hat-trick.

Final—Southport 4 Corinthians 2 goals

Roberts gave Southport the lead in the first minute and Shearer levelled the scores after 16 minutes. The amateurs played nice, open football, and their positional play was good, but Lindsay restored Southport’s lead after 35 minutes’ play.In the second half Corinthians attacked strongly, and Shearer levelled scores after 17 minutes. Lindsay gave Southport the lead, and near the end Lindsay added a fourth.