NUGGETS
Cricket and Football Field - Saturday 13 August 1887
Everton v St Oswalds Chester
August 15 th 1887. The Liverpool Mercury
St Oswald's opened their season on Saturday with a match against Everton, who were well represented. The saints' team had been considerable improved, and great interest was manifested in the encounter. Over 2,000 spectators were present in spite of the inclement state of the weather. The visitors winning the toss, elected to play down hill, and after about two minutes play scored. Gibson shooting from half-back, and Walker, the home back heading the ball through in attempting to save. The Saints then pressed, for a time, but the Everton right wing got the upper hand, and again scored amidst cheers from the Liverpool spectators. Soon after the game had restarted pressed uphill, and from a combined rush on the part of the forwards, in which Rixton, T. Fleming and Reid shone, the home team scored. As stood two to one in favour of Everton –the game stood until half time. In the second half the home team played up, and a fast game was experienced. With the slope in their favour Sanints pressed severely at times, and Joliffe was called upon to fist out on many occasions. He kept the charge brilliantly, but was beaten by Lunt, who equalised matters two minutes after the second half had commenced. Within three minutes the Saints again beat the vistiors' backs and goalkeeper, the excitement amongst the home spectators being intense. The Everton men played with renewed vigour, and a fast finish ensued. The visitors pressed up hill, and scored within ten minutes of call of time, and matters were again equalised. The Saints and the visitors now put in all they knew to secure the winning points, and after Everton's charge had been in danger for some minutes the home forwards broke away, and T. Fleming scored from a long kick, amid great cheering, when the whistle blew' the score was at Oswald's 4 goals; Everton 3. Teams; - Everton; - Joliffe, goal; Dobson (captain), and Hughes, backs; Jones, Gibson, and Higgins, half-backs; Fleming, Corrie, Briscoe, Farmer, and Gourley, forwards. St Oswald's; - Everitt, goal; Thompson (captain) and Walker, backs; Hughes, Bainman, and Bebbington half-backs; Lunt, McNeal, Rixton, T. Fleming, and Reid, forwards.
EVERTON AT CHESTER
Cricket and Football Field - Saturday 20 August 1887
The first match of Everton was a hot one. Chester St. Oswald’s has been coming on for a long time, and will be found a tough lot in the season 1887-88. They beat Everton by four goals to three. The Everton team was pretty much the same as that of last season, Dick and McPherson being replaced by Hughes and Jones, whilst Corril partnered Fleming on the right.
Everton v South Shone
August 22 nd 1887. The Liverpool Mercury.
Played at Anfield, before 3,000 spectators. During the first half of the game South Shone scored two goals (Shape and Hackling to nothing). Afterwards play was a very even character, and Watson scored the only point for Everton, who were thus beaten by two goals to one. Everton, who played several new men, wanted more practice, though they did most of the pressing.
Everton team had been strengthened by the acquisition of five new players viz- Cassidy and Murray (Motherwell), Watson (Glasgow Thistle), Lewis (Church Everton), and Taylor (Blackburn Olympic)
Everton; - Taylor, goal; Dick and Lewis, backs; Murray, Dobson (captain) and Higgins, half-backs; Cassidy, Farmer, Watson and Fleming, forwards. Further accommodation has been provided for spectators by the services of a large wooden inclined platform at the Oakfield road end of the ground. Capable of holding considerably over 1,000 spectators. Murray at half-back proved himself worthy of a place in the Everton team, and Cassidy playing on the left wing with Farmer and Watson on the opposite wing played very pretty all through. The visitors defence was admirable, and Langley at goal by his magnificent play, undoubtedly saved the match.
EVERTON V SOUTH SHORE, BLACKPOOL
Athletic News - Tuesday 23 August 1887
At Anfield, Liverpool, on Saturday, before 3,000 spectators. During the first half South Shore scored two goals (Sharpe and Hacking) to nothing. Afterwards play was of a very even character, and Watson scored the only point for Everton, who were thus beaten. Result; South Shore two goals, Everton one goal.
ASSOCIATION CLUBS. EVERTON.
The holders of the Liverpool and District Cup mean to hold their own. Their friends across the way at Bootle have decided to do likewise, and the rivalry existing between the two teams is unequalled. Everton still possesses its generous supporters, and the same team as last year except, of course, Archie Goodall, who assisted them at the tail end of the season, and who has joined North End. Mr. A. Nisbet again wields the pen, and has arranged a capital list of fixtures, better than in any previous season. All the team is eligible for Cup ties, and they have entered the National Competition. They have also applied to be put in the Senior Lancashire Cup, but it they do not succeed it not likely they will continue to play for the junior. The Liverpool Cup is also to be won, so we are informed, and altogether the season at Anfield-road will be a busy one. The enclosure has been greatly improved, and there are now few better. The playing portion has been levelled and sown, with the result that at the present time it is in splendid condition. A free stand has been erected in the west side capable of holding 5,000, and altogether it is estimated that 12,000 people can see the game at all points.
THE OPENING DAY AT EVERTON
Cricket and Football Field - Saturday 27 August 1887
The enthusiastic supporters of Everton rallied round their favourites at the opening of the campaign at Anfield-road last Saturday. The enclosure was lined by some 7,000 excited individuals, eager to know and welcome the reconstructed team, about which so much speculation had been rife. It was an animated scene. The raised stand at the Oakfield-road end was densely packed, reminding one forcibly of a gallery in the theatre during the performance of some transpontine drama. The other sides were thickly thronged, and the aspect must have been highly gratifying to the Everton executive. The field of play was greatly improved in appearance, but it is by no means certain that this appearance will be long maintained. Indeed, in many parts the players seemed to experience no little difficulty in “keeping their legs,” whilst wading through the soft soil.
A RECONSTRUCTED TEAM
The appearance of the Everton players at once disclosed the fact that all the rumours and reports had been wide of the mark with reference to the new blood. No new player, already known to fame, was descried, but more than one member of the old team would have been gladly recognized and their absence was conspicuous. The five new players are Taylor (Blackburn Olympic), Lewis (Church Stretton), Murray and Cassidy (Motherwell) and Watson (Glasgow Thistle). It is by no means settled that all these players will be retained, and indeed such a contingency is very remote; they were merely on trial, and it is but fair to say that the Everton Committee had displayed much discrimination in their selection of candidates, none of whom could be put down as failures. Still, taken on the whole, the team is not so effective a combination as that which did duty at the close of last season. Lewis is an average full-back, but did not fill the void caused by the advance of Dobson to centre-half. The Everton captain is a good half, but a better full-back. Murray is likely to prove the best of the new men, but though Cassidy is a tricky and speedy forward, he is scarcely suited to partner Farmer so well as Costley, whilst Briscoe is a better man than Watson.
SOUTH SHORE REVENGED
One of the most brilliant victories gained by Everton during the early part of last season was that achieved against south Shore by five goals to nil. That defeat was amply avenged by the Blackpool lot at the back end of the season, when they turned the tables by seven to two, whilst on Saturday they were again victorious by two goals to one after a most stubbornly contested game. Several of the old Shore shining lights were missing, notably Henderson, Dakin, Sharples, and Robt. Elsto, but the new ‘uns were well up to the mark. During the first half play was even, but South Shore scored twice and led at the interval by two to nil. Although severely pressed in the second half they offered a most obstinate resistance, and eventually won by 2 to 1. It would be impossible to speak too highly of Langley’s goalkeeping; it was simply marvelous, and he was protected by two fine backs.
THE BENEFIT MATCH AT BOOTLE
It is pleasant to record that the benefit match at Bootle resulted financially very much to the advantage of W. Spence, the cricketer, who cleared something like 30 pounds by the affair. It is by no means pleasant to regard the game in another aspect, and an explanation is certainly due from someone as to the absence of the Everton players from the District team, an occurrence which might have caused the whole affair to end in a fiasco. Indeed, the attitude adopted by the crowd in face of a big disappointment reflects most creditably upon the football following in the Liverpool district. The facts are these, I leave conclusions to be drawn; Spence had succeeded in obtaining the good offices of “Mike” Higgins in the formation of the team. The Everton veteran received and gave promises that Dobson, Farmer and McPherson would assist the District. The Bootle club had no concern in the matter, further than placing their ground and team at the service of Spence. On Tuesday afternoon, three hours before the match, the cricketer received a note, intimating the withdrawal of the Everton players, and leaving him to account for a breach of faith with the public, as best he might. Higgins either preferred to keep his promise, or was exempted from the edict, for he took part in the match, and had the satisfaction of all but snatching a victory for his motley side.
A SURPRISE
When the “District Team” turned out it was seen to be made of Stanley and Bootle Wanderers players together with George and Higgins, of Everton, and it was expected Bootle would win, anyhow. This was far from being the case, for a most stubborn game resulted in a draw of a goal each. The mixed team played with great determination, and the display of Read at full back was really capital. The Bootle forwards were weak, but Wilding and Hutton must be excepted, the former especially playing very prettily. Reid, at centre, was a dead failure, but he was said to be suffering acutely from bad feet.
Everton v Witton
August 29 th 1887. The Liverpool Mercury.
Played at Anfield on Saturday, before 6,000 spectators. Witton started and during the first half of the game had much the best of the play. Horsefield (two) and Almond scored for Witton, and Watson for Everton. Afterwards, Porter and Harasnape notched a couple of points for the visitors, and Everton also scored two Dobson and Cassidy, Witton were left the winners by five goals to three. Teams; - Witton; - Sharples goal; Smith and Shorrock, backs; Whiteside, Almond, and Fletcher, half-backs; Haresnape, Grimshaw, Horsefield, Chew, and Porter, forwards. Everton; - Joliffe, goal; Dobson (captain), and Dick, backs; Murray, Gibson, and Higgins, half-backs; Cassidy, Farmer, Briscoe, and Fleming, forwards.
EVERTON V WITTON
Athletic News - Tuesday 30 August 1887
AT Anfield, before 5,000 spectators. Witton started and during the first half of the game had much the best of paly. Horsefield (two) and Almond scored for Witton and Watson for Everton. Afterwards, Porter and Haresnape notched a couple of points for the visitors and Everton also scored two (Dobson and Cassidy). Witton were left the winners by five goals to three.