Articles
Liverpool Post and Mercury analysis
HOW LIVERPOOL WON
Jackson Part in Turning Game.
By “Bee.”
Cup-tie football can be awfully perverse; sometimes paltry when one brings into action the sporting rule; sometimes puerile in its football talent. This meeting of Everton and Liverpool was not of that character; it was pulsating sensational in many respects, and wound up on a note of triumphant for a team that had suffered a goal in less than one minute. There was nothing puerile about this game. There was a lot to admire; there was a lot that counted for class football, and test of all, it was undeniable that the better side on the day had won by a rightful margin of 2-1. The style of play must be considered, and the fact that there was a gale of wind that grew more intense as the day wore on must not be lost sight of. The Liverpool side, in their thoughtful and sharp way, went out for some enlivening processes. Wright's return to the forward line meant that there was good balance; he was there to ride away at will, wandering hither and thither, taking the ball with him; rolling it along the ground, twisting and turning at every appearance of a half-back or full back. Barton, at centre-forward had few changes, yet one sensed danger in all that he did. On the left wing Gunson got the notion of having a shot at any angle. One marvels how so strong a shot can hide his light in League matches, albeit, he has scored consistency in the last four or five games. Gunson caught the right note for Liverpool.
Gunson's Swift Moves.
Everton seemed to fear Hodgson more than anyone else. Actually Gunson was the man that did most damage. He was quick, he strode out far beyond the heavy-timbered backs, he shot instantly, he pulled the ball back so that Wright might take his stance and shot. Sagar and said them nay for a long time through fine judgement, and some dashing dives and catches. But Liverpool were playing better forward-method than for months past. So long has their defence held them secure that one feared this would be another case. But the cup-tie game took a new channel; Jackson had started the game with sliced clearances; Bradshaw in his enthusiasm had got into the way of others, and twice had failed to take the simple ball –once so glaringly that Dean was able to go ahead and score with a moderate shot that passed under the arms of Scott. This was the first minute sensation of an historic game and the most notable 45 minutes of football ever served up in the meetings of those two sides, who, true to their modern custom, entered the field together side by side. Bradshaw felt the loud of mischief heavy upon him. He did not settle down for half an hour, but by degrees got back to his appointed place and form with a relish that made him a valued member –one of eleven valued members. The game, however, brought to light the most remarkable revival one has seen in the course of thirty years and more.
Jackson Takes Charge.
James Jackson got into one of those relentless moods of his. Inspired by the voice of the public, and by the fact that Gunson had scored through a silly free kick granted through the folly of Bocking, acting as Cresswell's deputy, Jackson began to take charge of both sides. He was “ in the way” of his own side; in the way of Everton forwards; glued his eye upon the ball and refused to let Dean do any more dribbling with effect; his tackle was deadly; his inspiration was catching; he imbued his side and the opposition side with the thought that “ I will take charge of the business from now onward.” His work was of astounding character; a busy man who, having started shakily, wound up with a dependency and ability leading him to the applause of the crowd. Jackson turned the game by his personality and play. Hodgson got the second goal through Jackson making a tackle and a punt to Gunson, whose, “cross” was taken by the tall Hodgson. So that goals had come in a minute in thirty-eight minutes and in seventy-five minutes. Everton must be praised for their highly interesting and almost effective reply to the lead. They brought up all their guns; they fought best and hardest at this point. Time was beating them, however, and they were stressed to give their football skill licence, and yet could not produce a shot to beat Scott. Scott may have been at fault with the opening goal, but from that point onwards he gave one of his most superb displays, and his catch of an on-coming header from Dean in the last moments of play was the catch of the season. He seems to get a position that is right before the forward has decided which way he will take his shot. It is intuition.
Accuracy Counts.
The battle abbed and flowed. They lack of shot from the home team was palpable. It is true there were more shots at goal by Everton than Liverpool, but Liverpool's line bore the honours for accuracy and Everton's attack seemed to be unable to reproduce its machine made goals through Johnson being off the target and White finding his way cast in awkward places. It was stange that the most successful forward of the day should be on the losing side, yet that was the fact; Critchley was outstanding. His speed was not his only armour; he feinted well; he centred well; he might have shot if he had not been so confident about his co-forwards –a confidence misplaced in a game that had no stoppage worth the name; an occasional chat from Referee Harper, of Sturbridge, and a fund of incident and real good football spirit. The half-back standard of Liverpool was high; all three eventually won honours in spite of Bradshaw's early lapses, yet I thought no half-back quite so good as Thomson, and few did better than gee and Clark in a rather rugged manner. So that having said that Williams and Bocking were not faulted one is left with the knowledge that the difference in the sides was the difference forward. Everton would not take a chance; they desired to make too sure of their direction and decision and they fell into grip of Jackson, with whom the young man Steel played a quietly dominating and delightful game.
Wasted Kicks.
The losers had not the balance or the shot of the winners. Stein tried hard to do big things, and finally, when the weight of woe was upon the whole side, he committed the unpardonable sin of wasting two kicks (a free kick and a corner) at a time when every second was vital and Everton were trying to master Scott and Jackson. Johnson was lacking in his goal sense in the second half, particularly, and he had no time to “right” his foot where taking an easy chance or two in the first half-a period when dean should have got goals. Dean made some striking hook-shots from chance balls, but he was generally trying to master three opponents, and the mystic Scott. All the more reason, then for expecting that the inside forwards should have better. It was all entrancing and enjoyable; fair and above aboard, if hard; and the verdict went the right way. The odd thing about the fixture was the attendance. It was a case of “the men who stayed at home.” They must have been afraid of a crush after their experience at the home game with Blackburn. They had false notices of the crowd; it was orderly, and it was easy of accommodation through the work of the police and the Everton club management. They will know better another time. And so we close another chapter in the meeting of Everton and Liverpool –a game graced by the Lord Mayor of Liverpool (Alderman Cross) and the Mayor of Bootle (Alderman Hankey). The Ball will be inscribed and presented to the Lord Mayor as a souvenir of the team's first civic reception in the City. James Jackson went back to Cambridge with a light heart to continue his ministerial studies. He will be “free” for Liverpool again in time for the semi-final tie –if required. Teams; Everton; Sagar, goal; Williams and Bocking, backs; Clark, Gee and Thomson, half-backs; Critchley, White, Dean (captain), Johnson and Stein, forwards. Liverpool; - Scott, goal; Steel and Jackson, backs; Morrison, Bradshaw (captain) and McDougall, half-backs; McRorie, Hodgson, Barton, Wright, and Gunson, forwards. Referee W.P.Harper, Stourbridge.
Copyright - Liverpool Post and Mercury - Transcribed by http://www.
Jackson Part in Turning Game.
By “Bee.”
Cup-tie football can be awfully perverse; sometimes paltry when one brings into action the sporting rule; sometimes puerile in its football talent. This meeting of Everton and Liverpool was not of that character; it was pulsating sensational in many respects, and wound up on a note of triumphant for a team that had suffered a goal in less than one minute. There was nothing puerile about this game. There was a lot to admire; there was a lot that counted for class football, and test of all, it was undeniable that the better side on the day had won by a rightful margin of 2-1. The style of play must be considered, and the fact that there was a gale of wind that grew more intense as the day wore on must not be lost sight of. The Liverpool side, in their thoughtful and sharp way, went out for some enlivening processes. Wright's return to the forward line meant that there was good balance; he was there to ride away at will, wandering hither and thither, taking the ball with him; rolling it along the ground, twisting and turning at every appearance of a half-back or full back. Barton, at centre-forward had few changes, yet one sensed danger in all that he did. On the left wing Gunson got the notion of having a shot at any angle. One marvels how so strong a shot can hide his light in League matches, albeit, he has scored consistency in the last four or five games. Gunson caught the right note for Liverpool.
Gunson's Swift Moves.
Everton seemed to fear Hodgson more than anyone else. Actually Gunson was the man that did most damage. He was quick, he strode out far beyond the heavy-timbered backs, he shot instantly, he pulled the ball back so that Wright might take his stance and shot. Sagar and said them nay for a long time through fine judgement, and some dashing dives and catches. But Liverpool were playing better forward-method than for months past. So long has their defence held them secure that one feared this would be another case. But the cup-tie game took a new channel; Jackson had started the game with sliced clearances; Bradshaw in his enthusiasm had got into the way of others, and twice had failed to take the simple ball –once so glaringly that Dean was able to go ahead and score with a moderate shot that passed under the arms of Scott. This was the first minute sensation of an historic game and the most notable 45 minutes of football ever served up in the meetings of those two sides, who, true to their modern custom, entered the field together side by side. Bradshaw felt the loud of mischief heavy upon him. He did not settle down for half an hour, but by degrees got back to his appointed place and form with a relish that made him a valued member –one of eleven valued members. The game, however, brought to light the most remarkable revival one has seen in the course of thirty years and more.
Jackson Takes Charge.
James Jackson got into one of those relentless moods of his. Inspired by the voice of the public, and by the fact that Gunson had scored through a silly free kick granted through the folly of Bocking, acting as Cresswell's deputy, Jackson began to take charge of both sides. He was “ in the way” of his own side; in the way of Everton forwards; glued his eye upon the ball and refused to let Dean do any more dribbling with effect; his tackle was deadly; his inspiration was catching; he imbued his side and the opposition side with the thought that “ I will take charge of the business from now onward.” His work was of astounding character; a busy man who, having started shakily, wound up with a dependency and ability leading him to the applause of the crowd. Jackson turned the game by his personality and play. Hodgson got the second goal through Jackson making a tackle and a punt to Gunson, whose, “cross” was taken by the tall Hodgson. So that goals had come in a minute in thirty-eight minutes and in seventy-five minutes. Everton must be praised for their highly interesting and almost effective reply to the lead. They brought up all their guns; they fought best and hardest at this point. Time was beating them, however, and they were stressed to give their football skill licence, and yet could not produce a shot to beat Scott. Scott may have been at fault with the opening goal, but from that point onwards he gave one of his most superb displays, and his catch of an on-coming header from Dean in the last moments of play was the catch of the season. He seems to get a position that is right before the forward has decided which way he will take his shot. It is intuition.
Accuracy Counts.
The battle abbed and flowed. They lack of shot from the home team was palpable. It is true there were more shots at goal by Everton than Liverpool, but Liverpool's line bore the honours for accuracy and Everton's attack seemed to be unable to reproduce its machine made goals through Johnson being off the target and White finding his way cast in awkward places. It was stange that the most successful forward of the day should be on the losing side, yet that was the fact; Critchley was outstanding. His speed was not his only armour; he feinted well; he centred well; he might have shot if he had not been so confident about his co-forwards –a confidence misplaced in a game that had no stoppage worth the name; an occasional chat from Referee Harper, of Sturbridge, and a fund of incident and real good football spirit. The half-back standard of Liverpool was high; all three eventually won honours in spite of Bradshaw's early lapses, yet I thought no half-back quite so good as Thomson, and few did better than gee and Clark in a rather rugged manner. So that having said that Williams and Bocking were not faulted one is left with the knowledge that the difference in the sides was the difference forward. Everton would not take a chance; they desired to make too sure of their direction and decision and they fell into grip of Jackson, with whom the young man Steel played a quietly dominating and delightful game.
Wasted Kicks.
The losers had not the balance or the shot of the winners. Stein tried hard to do big things, and finally, when the weight of woe was upon the whole side, he committed the unpardonable sin of wasting two kicks (a free kick and a corner) at a time when every second was vital and Everton were trying to master Scott and Jackson. Johnson was lacking in his goal sense in the second half, particularly, and he had no time to “right” his foot where taking an easy chance or two in the first half-a period when dean should have got goals. Dean made some striking hook-shots from chance balls, but he was generally trying to master three opponents, and the mystic Scott. All the more reason, then for expecting that the inside forwards should have better. It was all entrancing and enjoyable; fair and above aboard, if hard; and the verdict went the right way. The odd thing about the fixture was the attendance. It was a case of “the men who stayed at home.” They must have been afraid of a crush after their experience at the home game with Blackburn. They had false notices of the crowd; it was orderly, and it was easy of accommodation through the work of the police and the Everton club management. They will know better another time. And so we close another chapter in the meeting of Everton and Liverpool –a game graced by the Lord Mayor of Liverpool (Alderman Cross) and the Mayor of Bootle (Alderman Hankey). The Ball will be inscribed and presented to the Lord Mayor as a souvenir of the team's first civic reception in the City. James Jackson went back to Cambridge with a light heart to continue his ministerial studies. He will be “free” for Liverpool again in time for the semi-final tie –if required. Teams; Everton; Sagar, goal; Williams and Bocking, backs; Clark, Gee and Thomson, half-backs; Critchley, White, Dean (captain), Johnson and Stein, forwards. Liverpool; - Scott, goal; Steel and Jackson, backs; Morrison, Bradshaw (captain) and McDougall, half-backs; McRorie, Hodgson, Barton, Wright, and Gunson, forwards. Referee W.P.Harper, Stourbridge.
Copyright - Liverpool Post and Mercury - Transcribed by http://www.
