EVERTON DOWN DERBY.
Lancashire Evening Post - Monday 01 December 1902
The Everton teem managed to scrape in the points against Derby on Saturday. They had Settle and Sharp reappearing, and these two men, who played remarkably well, made a tremendous difference in the Blues attack. The Derbyshire team played a capital game, and the fact that Everton claims the points shows most conclusively that they were in good form, for the Derby defence, usual, was fine.

HARD TUSSLE AT GOODISON PARK.
Athletic News - Monday 01 December 1902
By Junius.
After their feeble display last week against Stoke, Everton were naturally desirous of re-instating themselves in the good graces of their supporters, whose interest in the visit of Derby County was deepened by reason of the victory gained by the Peakites over Liverpool a week ago. Drastic alterations were made in the forward line by the directors, for an injury to Young necessitated a new centre being tried, and as Bowman, who would, under ordinary circumstances, have filled the post, was likewise suffering through injuries to his ankles, it was eventually decided try Brearley in this position. Fortunate, indeed, was it for Everton that Sharp and Settle —the latter after a somewhat prolonged absence —were reported once more fit for active service, and Sheridan, who has played inside left for some weeks, was transferred to the right wing as partner to Sharp. In the rear division Crelley resumed, but little anxiety was felt concerning this decision, for here was a weakness which was being strengthened by the inclusion of the local youth. That such a wholesale re-arrangement should prove a marked success was exceedingly gratifying to the bulk of the crowd, and as a matter of fact, this combination gave one of the best displays witnessed on the ground this season, and on the general run of the play the score does not by any means represent the superiority the winners. The young man who guards the Derby keep was mainly responsible for the narrow margin by which the victory was gained, and some of his clearances were of wonderful character. Derby played Middleton on the extreme left, otherwise the side was the same that had accounted for the Anfielders, but if Davis, who was absent through injuries could have excelled this youth, then Derby deserve some commiseration for being thus deprived of his services. In accordance with annual custom, the Everton directors invited the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress and City Councillors to witness the game, and their interest in the match was evidenced by the fact that they stayed till the finish.
THE STORY OF THE STRUGGLE
We had scarcely settled down to the play when Bell was seen careering along the left wing, and Goodall had to concede a corner to avert disaster. From the flag kick, however, the ball was well placed, and in the midst of a melee near goal, one of the Derby players, whose identity, however, could not be distinguished in the crowd, knocked down the leather, and the usual penalty followed. Settle took the kick, and signalized his reappearance in the team by scoring the first goal. This success caused Everton to play with great determination, and the Derby defence was assailed in most invigorating fashion. Fryer demonstrating his worth by clearing splendidly from Brearley and Taylor, whilst a ball from Sharp, who had run clean through, was dealt with in masterly style.   The visitors’ left wing was the only branch of attack that was causing Everton any uneasiness, for Middleton sent across some fine centres, whilst Richards always required the closest watching, and this pair eventually succeeded in equalizing the score about a minute before the interval.  In the meantime, however, Fryer had given further evidence of his ability. Sharp had obtained and getting clean away centred to Settle, who raced to within a couple of yards of the custodian before shooting. Fryer, however, dived down and caught the ball when defeat seemed a certainty, and the crowd of spectators cheered the daring custodian most impartially. Throughout this half Everton did the bulk of the pressing, but many of their final efforts were wild, whilst others were equally clever, but Fryer attended to these latter with conspicuous skill. A few minutes from the interval, however. Middleton placed across another characteristic centre, but Kitchen fisted it away, only to see the ball return to the outside left, and again did the leather sail inwards with the same unerring accuracy. Richards met it this time, and with his left foot deftly placed it just inside the upright. Kitchen, in clearing, fell heavily against the woodwork, causing some minutes stoppage while he was revived. The second half was more evenly contested. Everton pressing severely for a time, only to find Derby reasserts themselves in the later stages, and almost equalize. A stirring fusillade was opened on Flyer's charge, and one the Derby backs tried his best to score for Everton, sending a tremendous shot into goal which struck the upright and rebounded into play. It appeared as if the ball had entered the net and thence came back into the field, and the referee, in response to numerous claims, stopped the game and consulted the linesman before resuming. Immediately came the winning goal, as a free kick being awarded the home team for a foul. Bell received close in and easily beat Fryer. Then did Derby strive most sturdily to again place matters on a level footing, their left wing leading the way, though Turner made some fine individual efforts, but Kitchen now made known his worth, and Derby had to retire fairly beaten.
THE EVERTON PLAYERS
Everton shaped in vastly different style from what they showed the previous week, and in the forward line was the greatest improvement manifest. There is no mistaking the fact that the presence of Settle and Sharp in the attack  makes, a  wonderful difference to the efficiency of this department of the team, particularly so in the case of the former, and after so long an absence—eight weeks—it was astonishing to find the inside left in such a perky humour.  He  twisted, turned, and tricked with all his well-known skill, plied his partner with the most seductive chances, and fairly bore off the palm in being the most conspicuous forward on the field.  It is thus that we discover the real value of a class player, for clever though Sheridan has proved in this position, he has not yet reached the same height as Settle. It was in the finishing touches that the latter’s skill made itself most manifest, and though Archie Goodall shadowed him unceasingly, he could seldom get the better of the little international. He gave Fryer some stinging shots to deal with, and it was here where Settle was seen to advantage. Bell did well in the first half, but after the interval he was running about with his left arm hanging limp by his side as if in pain, and this considerably affected his play. Brearley, in the centre position, fared creditably under the circumstances, for it was his first appearance as the pivot of the Everton attack, and he had a tough opponent to face in Goodall. Some of his passes to the wings were very neatly accomplished, and though failing to take the ball with that consummate ease which the ideal centre would do, he filled what would otherwise have been an awkward gap in the team. On the right wing Sheridan seemed just as happy as when at inside left, for he gave Sharp some beautiful passes, and the extreme winger did not fail to appreciate them, for he was thus able show his fine turn of speed to advantage, after Sheridan had drawn the attention of the opposing half. Further behind, Taylor was the pick of the intermediate trio, his tackling being really splendid, and rarely has he been seen so conspicuously successful as a half-back, despite the fact that he had a troublesome pair to deal with. Booth and Abbott played a sound game, though they were not so accurate near goal as usual; whilst Balmer- beyond one slip which let in May—gave a remarkably effective exhibition, his kicking being rigorous and judicious withal. Crelley paled in comparison, though he did not shape badly, whilst Kitchen kept a capital goal. 
PROMINENT PEAKITES
By far the strongest part the Derby forward line was the left wing. Middleton and Richards not only combining well together, but they added their speed and trickery the art of finishing dangerously. The former’s centres were always a cause of anxiety to the Everton defenders, and he could scarcely have wished for a more sympathetic partner. Richards is a grand forward, and it was certainly a coincidence that the inside left on both sides should be the most prominent of the forwards for their respective clubs. The shot which gave Derby their only goal was very similar to the one that won the match against Liverpool, for there was very little daylight to be seen between Kitchen and the upright post.   Bloomer was seldom in evidence, and his partner suffered thereby, but Turner made several creditable individual efforts, which seemed to show that with more attention he might have been the leader in many a raid. At half Warren bore off the honours, and for once in a way Goodall had rather more than he could manage in attempting to divide his attentions between Settle and Sheridan. He was always in the thick of the tray, but he did not emerge so triumphantly as he has done in previous visits to Liverpool. The full backs were steady and strong, a line of defence that commanded respect, and as for Fryer, well, what more can be said? Better goalkeeping could not be desired, and to his skill Derby have something to be thankful for. We in Liverpool know him to be a custodian of the first water, and his latest performance has only increased our admiration for him. Everton;- Kitchen; Balmer, and Crelley; Taylor, Booth (Captain), and Abbott; Sharp, Sheridan, Brearley, Settle, and Bell.  Derby County; Fryer; Methven, and Morris; Warren, Goodall, and J. May; Turner, Bloomer, H. May, Richards, and Middleton.  Referee; Mr. R. Roberts, Crewe. 

THE NORTHERN NOMADS
Athletic News - Monday 01 December 1902
By Junius
This newly formed Association club which is a body with no connection whatever with the Normads Cricket Club, is receiving the support of many of the desirable class of amateurs in Lancashire, opened their career with a match against an Everton eleven at Goodison Park, and only by a goal to none.  H. Vickers, the Corinthian half-back, captained the side, which was composed as follows;- A.F. Eberie (Melling), goal; W.L. Whitehead (Bolton), and G. Bucknall (Melling), backs; J.G. Birch (Ranmblers), H. Thomas (Leek) and H. Vickers (Corthinthians), half-backs; W. Lawrence (Etrurians), J. W. Cropper (University), R. Barlow and J.A. Gaukrodger (Casuals) and W. O’Briend (Old Xaverians) forwards.  The halves played grandly as did Bucknall at back; but Whitley in the Everton goal proved too clever for the forwards.  After the match both teams, at the invitation of the Nomads, sat down to tea at the Royal Court Hotel and a social evening followed.  We are pleased to note that the old time social associated with the game of football is not exactly smothered in the development of professionalism. 

EVERTON v. DERBY COUNTY.
London Daily News - Monday 01 December 1902
A crowd of about twelve thousand people gathered to watch this match on the ground of the Evertom club, and amongst the spectators the Lord Mayor of Liverpool. Sharp and Settle reappeared in the Everton team, and Middleton played instead of Davis for Derby County. The game opened in sensational style. Settle scoring for the first minute from a penalty kick. Subsequently Fryer kept goal for Derby in marvellous fashion, and prevented Everton from gaining any further success, while just on the interval Richards equalised for the visitors, the score change ends being one goal each. In the second half the Everton forwards played brilliantly, and maintained an almost continuous pressure. Bell scored from a free kick, and Everton won by two goals to one.

EVERTON 2 DERBY COUNTY 1
December 1, 1902. The Liverpool Courier
These teams met for the first time this season at Goodison-park on Saturday. The fixture was an attractive one as the visitors have been showing fine form, and occupied second position in the League table. Settle reappeared in the Everton team, Brearley going centre, while Davies was absent from Derby. The teams were: - Everton: - Kitchen, goal, Balmer, and Crelly, backs, Taylor Booth (captain), and Abbott, half-backs, Sharp, Sheridan, Brearley, Settle, and Bell, forwards. Derby County: - Fryer, goal, Methven, and Morris, backs, Warren, Goodall, and J.May, half-backs, Turner, Bloomer, H.May, Richards, and Middleton, forwards, Referee R.Rodgers. The weather kept fine, and the attendance, which included the Lord Mayor and representative citizens, numbered about 12,000. Everton kicked off, and the start was quite sensational. The home left dashed down in great style, and Bell forced a corner Archie Goodall to concede a corner. The ball was well placed, and in the course of an exciting struggle with the twelve yards limit, the ball was handle by one of the Derby defenders. The inevitable penalty kick followed, and the kick was entrusted to Settle, who made no mistake. Everton thus opened the scoring in the first minute of play. The home team again pressed severely, and lighting shot from Booth just topped the bar. Then the County representatives made an incursion into the home half, Midleton getting in a clever centre, which Kitchen fisted out. Again Everton returned to the attack gallant style, and Brearley called forth all Fryer's resource with a grand shot, which the length custodian tripped away at the expense of a corner, following which Taylor tried his luck with a swift shot, which went just too high. Play now opened more, and once the Everton goal narrowly escaped captures, first Balmer, and then Kitchen using their feet to great effect. H.May was ruled offside, thereby spoiling a good effort by the County forwards, and the next item of interest was another brilliant onslaught by the Evertonians, in the course of which Settle sent in a magnificent shot, which Fryer very cleverly saved. Morris, who gave the Everton flyer few chances of distinguishing, closely attended to sharp. Play was extremely interesting, and the County were now having more of the play. From Brearley's pass Sharp ran through in brilliant style, and twice in rapid succession Fryer had to use his hands. There was no holding back the home front line, who were giving a fine exhibition. Another centre from Sharp was troublesome, and it was lucky for the County that Brearley headed just a little too high. Turner beautifully tricked Abbott and sent across cleverly centre May having an opening goal. Taylor however, came to the rescue of his side, and literally took the ball from the toss of the visiting centre-forward. At the other end a shot from Settle passed just outside, and then Kitchen fisted away from Middleton. The Everton forwards continued to play a fine game, and a tricky centre from Sharp was spoiled through Settle shooting wildly over the bar, Sheridan was applauded for his cleverness in tricking Archie Goodall, but the effort came to nothing, the shooting at this stage not being so effective as earlier in the game. A moment later Fryer effected a marvelous save from Settle when another goal seemed almost a certainly. Booth indulged in some high kicking which was of no service to his side. Just before the interval the County dashed off to the Everton goal, and following a centre by Middleton, Richards shot the ball into the corner of the net, Kitchen hurting himself in his efforts to save. The whistle blew almost immediately afterwards. Half-time Everton 1 goal, Derby County 1. The attendance had increase to at least 15,000 when the game resumed. The home forwards were the first figure prominently, but the opposing defence held them in check. Crelly neatly broke up a threatening attack by the visiting right wing, and after another spell of pressure on Fryer's charge Bloomer fastened on to the ball and dashed away despite appeals for offside, finishing up with a fast shot, which Kitchen diverted in fine style. This was followed by a period of terrific pressure on the Derby goal, which had some wonderful escapes, Fryer playing a great game. Brearley was pushed down in the penalty area but the offence passed unnoticed, and then a question arose as to whether a Derby defender in kicking back had sent the ball into the net. However the referee after consulting the linemen, decided that it had not been over the line. At last the determined efforts of the home side were rewarded, as they richly deserved to be. A free kick was awarded them close in, and Bell scored amidst tremendous cheering. The game in the later stages was played with great determination, but Everton thoroughly deserved their victory. Final result Everton 2, Derby County 1.

BLACK LANE TEMPERANCE 3 EVERTON RESERVES 4
December 1, 1902. The Liverpool Courier.
Lancashire Combination
At Black lane. Makepeace scored first for Everton, but one of the visiting backs missing his kick, Cranna equalised. Bennett scored again for the home side, who led at the interval by 2 goals to 1. In the second half Everton scored on three occasions, one from Rankin, and to one by their opponents. Result Everton 4, Blank lane 3. Everton: - Whitley, goal, Wildman, and R.Balmer, backs, C Clark, J Russell, and Makepeace half-backs, Rankin, McDonald Broadman Dixon, and T Dilly, forwards.

EVERTON REVIEW
December 1, 1902. The Liverpool Mercury
After a hard struggle, towards the close of which it almost appeared as if they would let victory slip through their grasp, Everton defeated Derby County, and to some extent made amends for their failure against Stoke the previous week. In the absence of Young and Bowman through injuries, it was decided to give Brearley a trial in the centre, and the local lad did not shape at all badly. Those who expected he would display ideal centre form would no doubt be disappointed, but considering the conditions, under which he was participating in such an onerous post for the first time in the Everton rank, he was certainly not a failure. In fact, the home forwards division shaped better than in any previous match at Goodison Park this season, and a little looseness in shooting alone prevented them from securing a more decisive triumph. Everton commenced in sensational style, for following a corner forced by Bell, a penalty was given against one of the visitors, who in a bully near goal knocked down the ball, and Settle signalised his reappearance in the team by converting. Beyond a temporary incursion by Middleton and Richards, on the Derby left wing Everton monopolised the bulk of the attacking, but Fryer, but Fryer preserved a skilful defence in goal, Brearley and Settle testing him with tremendous shots. Then a miss kick by Balmer let in the Derby centre-May- who however, shot very erratically with only Kitchen to beat, and Sharp recovering from the return, raced clean past Morris, and when close to Fryer seemed a certain scorer, but the custodian effected a brilliant save. Thus the fray continued. Everton causing Fryer constant anxiety, but nether Sharp nor Settle, each of whom plied him with fine shots, could again beat him. Turner got the better of Abbott, but the attack was quickly repelled through an equalised came when Middleton who all along had been the most dangerous forward in the visitors ranks, whipped across a grand centre, for his partner Richards to drive into the net, Kitchen in clearing, falling heavily against the upright and causing a slight cessation of hostilities. In the second half Bloomer got away, but Kitchen finely saved, and after a series of attacks, Bell secured the winning goal. Then Derby had more of the game, but the Everton defence proved exceedingly sound, and after the pressure had been relieved the home forwards again went away, and Fryer had to fall full length to clear from Settle. Although winning only by the bare majority of a goal, Everton deserved a more pronounced success for they were attacking during the greater part of the 90 minutes, but found Fryer equal to most of their incisive attempts to score. Settle was the most conspicuous feature in the forward line, and the same inside left showed no trace of the ill effects of the injury, which has kept him so long out of the team. His deft touches to his partner were exceedingly tricky, and near goal he was in a dangerous humour Sheridan also proved a serviceable partner fort Sharp, and gave the latter innumerable chances of displaying his speed, his transference to the right wing apparently causing him to inconvencies. Bell did well in the first half, but in the second he roamed about, with his arm hanging limply by his side, which rendered him almost useless. Taylor best represented the halves, and the manner in which he repeatedly dispossessed the opposing wing was only equalled by the assiduous attention he paid to his own front rank. Abbott and Booth were scarcely less prominent, though when it came to a question of shooting some most ambitious attempts were made, which only lacked accuracy, the goals stand being too frequently the receptacle of their efforts. Balmer gave an excellent display, barring one mistake, which however, did not end disastrously, and his partner Crelly shaped well against such a tricky wing as Bloomer and Turner. Kitchen kept a capital goal, and in fact the defence all round acted in very sound fashion. Derby impressed one as being dangerous side, but they were allowed little latitude in this match. Bloomer was rarely in evidence, and was the least effective of the front line, which caused Turner's play to suffer also, and what over the outside man accomplished was due principally to his own individual efforts. The left wing, however, was seen to more advantage, and in Richards the Midlanders possess a remarkably clever player, dashing and skilful. Middleton ran and centred very cleverly, and it was fitting that the only goal scored by the visitors should emanate from the quarter. In the half-back line, Warren was the most aggressive, Goodall being less effective than he usually the case, but both Methven and Morris presented a sound defence, their returns being cleanly and judiciously accomplished. Fryer in goal gave another extremely creditable display, and it was entirely due to his valiant clearances that the Everton victory was kept down to such a narrow margin. All kinds of shots came alike to him, but the way Settle out maneuvered him with the penalty kick. Such a custodian must inspire confidence into the backs in front of him and on Saturday's exhibition Fryer has no superior in the county.
By invitation of the Everton directors, the Lord mayor and Lady Mayoress, and a number of the city councillors witnessed the match, which proved sufficiently interesting to death them till the finish.

REFEREE’S
Athletic News - Monday 01 December 1902
Mr. T.P. CAMPBELL
Mr. T.P. Campbell is a worthy representative of a worthy football town, Blackburn, famous for its victorious teams in the English Cup, its internationals, its referees (of which Mr. John Lewis will ever stand on a niche of his own), and its legislators the most striking of whom have been Dr. Morley, Mr. R.P. Gregson, and Mr. Woolfall. A stranger need not ask Mr. Campbell twice if he is a Blackburn man. Unfortunately, his name be handed down as a famous Rover, for the reason that, beyond playing for the reserve team, he had not the opportunity of showing his talents to the world. He has, however, been associated with most of the old-time teams as juniors, and has had many a keen tussle with “Skimmy” Southworth. He was captain of Park-road for three years as full back, and it was during his association with Park-road that he put in his only full work of training under Jack Hunter. The result was that he played a bad game, and Bury won 7—l, so that special training does not possess an advocate in Mr. Campbell. In the earlier days of professionalism he had a splendid opening with a now First League club, but parental authority caused him to decline the offer; indeed, like most parents at that time when football was a boom they viewed his playing at all with some fear. His enthusiasm, however, could not be damped, and this despite the fact that he had his inkle put out, knee-cap damaged, and collar bone broken. Mr. Campbell has been a member of the East Lancashire Cricket Club for twenty years, and was a playing member of the first team for twelve years, but moving into the country two years ago, he now gives more attention to fishing and shooting. Perhaps a little too impetuous to establish a reputation as a steady batsman, his forte was out-fielding, and he was just as valuable to East Lancashire as John Tyldesley to the county club. With the woods he has gained prize bowls, and he won the East Lancashire Tennis Championship, both for single and doubles, in 1885. He is secretary of the Blackburn Schoolboys’ Cup competition, and in connection there-with he believes he has established a record, in refereeing four matches, each of one hour’s duration, in one day. He commenced refereeing about eight years ago, but it is only a couple of seasons since he undertook to control League games, and that with satisfaction to the League Management Committee. During the first five weeks of the present season he officiated in ten League and Cup-tie matches, and travelled over 1,000 miles. He is a very capable official.

OUTER CIRCLE ELECTRIC RAILWAY FOR LIVERPOOL
Liverpool Daily Post - Monday 01 December 1902
A GREAT RAILWAY ENTERPRISE
Plans have been deposited, and Parliamentary notices issued of bills which together embody an important scheme for connecting the Liverpool Overhead Railway, the Cheshire Lines, and the Liverpool and Southport extension in such a manner as to provide outer circle electric railway that will serve the whole of the northern, eastern, and southern suburbs of Liverpool, and open up besides new direct route between Liverpool and Southport. Hitherto the Liverpool Overhead Railway has exited as an isolated undertaking. As will be seen, however, by reference to the sketch plans given above, a short length line from the terminus of the Overhead at Seaforth to the Liverpool and Southport Extension Railway at Aintree, and a connecting link between the Cheshire Lines at Herculaneum Dock, and the Overhead Railway near the same point complete a circle which, passing through Seaforth, Litherland, Netherton, Aintree, Walton, West Derby,Gateacre, Hunts Cross, Garston, and intermediate stations, brings these districts into direct communication with the whole line of docks and the centre of the city. Some of these localities —as, for instance, Litherland, Netherton, Gateacre, and Woolton —are beyond the radius of the city tram service. All are rapidly becoming populous and important suburbs, for “Greater Liverpool” is steadily extending towards, and in some cases beyond, its enlarged boundaries. They are situated at a distance from the centre of the city which makes travelling day by day in tramcars a serious loss of time, to say nothing of the frequent crowding and discomfort inseparable from the tramcar service. Even at present, on account alike of the saving of time, the greater certainty of securing a seat, and the advantages of a first-class service, numbers of residents prefer to come into and leave the city daily by railway. A regular and frequent service of electric trams in each direction on this proposed ‘‘outer circle” would, therefore, plainly meet a great public want. Besides, it is certain that these facilities will promote the development for building purposes of important areas now comparatively inaccessible, leaving districts nearer to the city available for the erection of properties more suited to the requirements of the working class.
The connecting link at the North-end is, in one sense, not altogether a novel proposal. The Liverpool and Southport Extension Railway, which runs to Southport from the Cheshire Lines terminus at Aintree, was planned not only to provide direct communication between Southport and the Midlands, as well as between the former place and the system of the Great Central, but also give a direct alternative route from Liverpool. The last, named object was have been carried out by means of an underground connection between the Central Station, Liverpool, and the Cheshire Lines terminus at Huskisson Dock. This tunnel was duly authorised by Parliament. It was, however, a costly undertaking, and had to be abandoned for financial reasons. In 1890 there was an alternative proposal for joining the Liverpool and Southport extension with the Lancashire and Yorkshire. By this means the latter company would have obtained, between Southport and Liverpool, a second route of as nearly as possible the same length as that between Southport and the Exchange Station. The scheme was deemed advisable, in view of the congested state of traffic on the older route. An agreement between the Lancashire and Yorkshire and the Southport Extension Railway Company was, in fact, concluded, but it was conditional on a further agreement between the Lancashire and Yorkshire and the Cheshire Lines as to working expenses. With the Cheshire Lines Committee the Lancashire and Yorkshire failed to come to terms, and the scheme fell through. The bill for the construction of the new line between Seaforth and Sefton is being promoted by a new company, the Seaforth and Sefton Junction Railway Company. This corporation has a very strong financial backing. Those chiefly interested include a large Lancashire colliery proprietor. Happily the scheme presents no constructive difficulties. Through Seaforth, in order avoid the demolition of property beyond what may be absolutely necessary, it is proposed to carry the line on an overhead construction, in all respects similar to that the Liverpool Overhead Railway. The line will cross the and Yorkshire Railway, and the Leeds and Liverpool Canal, which at this point are not far apart, on a viaduct. At Litherland the land rises to about 100 feet above the sea level. The line will, therefore, passing under the turnpike road Sefton, proceed through a cutting a straight run to Netherton, and the fact of the railway being in a cutting will prevent it from interfering in any way with the residential amenities of the district. The gradients are easy. Owing to the fall of the land the line on approaching Sefton meadows reaches the ground level, and is again carried over the canal at this point on a bridge. One or two public roads have also to be picked up and carried over the line on bridges. On the whole, however, it is, from the railway engineering standpoint, an easy bit of country. The length the line from the Seaforth terminus to Sefton is four miles two chains. The engineers for this part of the scheme are Messrs. Wood and Mudie, Cook-street, Liverpool. The plans for the short connecting link between the Overhead Railway and the Cheshire Lines at the South-end have been drawn Mr. S. B. Cottrell, engineer of the Overhead Railway. The construction is similar to that of the last-mentioned line, save that long spans will be used for the crossing roadways. The bill dealing with this part of the scheme is promoted the Cheshire Lines Committee.
Both the Committee and the Seaforth and Sefton Junction railway Company seek running powers over the Liverpool Overhead Railway. All the three companies, together with the Liverpool and Southport Extension Railway Company, are co-operating. It proposed to electrify not only the proposed Outer Circle Railway, but the new alternative route from Liverpool to Southport. This can be done at comparatively moderate cost. Electric trains, comfortably appointed, lighted, and warmed, will be run at frequent intervals in each direction, and the scheme embraces a new express service between the principal stations on the Overhead Railway and Southport. It is expected to add greatly to the prosperity and traffic the Overhead, and will bring some of the most desirable of the outer residential suburbs within an easy half-hour's ride from the business heart of Liverpool.

SATURDAY’S FOOTBALL
Liverpool Daily Post - Monday 01 December 1902
EVERTON’S VICTORY
The visit of the Derby County team to Goodison Park was conductive to one of the cleverest and most scientific games which has taken place on that ground this season. Both sets of forwards exhibited great cleverness, though the visitors showed better combination, but this was not a matter for surprise as the home front rank was differently arranged to that which has been playing of late with such poor results. It seems as if a shuffling of the Evertonians team always results in victory. Brearley in the centre was watched with most interest, but though he gave promise of better things in the future, he did not trouble Fryer much. Sharp, Sheridan, and Settle were mainly responsible for shaking up the Derby defence. Methven and Morris were frequently beaten, and it was then that Fryer’s superb custodianship delighted friends and opponents alike. Kitchen also defended his citadel with honour, but he was never so hotly attacked at close quarters as his brother custodian, some of whose saves were sensational. The forward play on both sides was of very high class, though the Peakites did not equal their opponents in shooting with accuracy and precision. The efforts of May and Middleton were on several occasions weak in the extreme after an opening had been afforded them. Turner and Bloomer exhibited a wonderful turn of speed, and, whilst the former was always a dangerous shot, the latter was perhaps the trickiest and most attractive forward on the field. On the half-back line Taylor was in great form, and on one occasion particularly his resource and presence of mind prevented a certain goal being scored. The “Blues” were lucky to open the score from a penalty but the goal whereby Derby equalised did the Peakites the highest credit, as Kitchen, Balmer, and Crelly were quite unable to clear, though they had the ball, owing to the pertinacity and determination of the County forwards and halves. Kitchen had little chance of diverting the leather from Turner’s shot at close quarters, though his anxiety to do so resulted in a nasty fell against the post. It is an open question whether Everton did not fairly and squarely score three goals as on one occasion the ball was apparently driven clean into the net with terrific speed and force by Sheridan. It somehow rebounded out so instantaneously that, as the referee could not understand it, he would not listen to Everton’s claims for the major point.

EVERTON v.  DERBY COUNTY
Liverpool Mercury - Monday 01 December 1902
Twelve thousand people witnessed this league match at Goodison Park. Derby had Middleton for Davis, while Settle and Sharp reappeared for Everton. In the first two minutes of the game Settle converted a penalty kick. Everton played brilliantly, and Fryer saved repeatedly, some of his clearances being remarkably clever. Derby rarely attacked, but just before the interval Richards equalised from Middleton’s centre. Half-time; Everton one; Derby, one.
Everton continued their splendid form in the second half. Bell, following a free kick, obtained a second goal. Subsequently Derby improved, and gained several abortive corners. They played up in determined style, especially towards the close of the game. However, they could not break through the Everton defence.
Result; Everton 2 Derby County 1.
Everton.- Kitchen, goal; Balmer and Crelly, backs; Taylor, Booth (Captain), and Abbott, half-backs; Sharp, Sheridan, Brearley, Settle, and Bell, forwards.
Derby.- Fryer, goal; Methven and Morris, backs; Warren, A. Goodall, and T. May, half-backs; Turner, Bloomer, H. May, Richards, and Middleton, forwards.

EVERTON v  DERBY COUNTY
Liverpool Daily Post - Monday 01 December 1902
At Goodison Park, in miserable weather. Teams;-
Everton.- Kitchen, goal; Balmer and Crelly, backs; Taylor, Booth (Captain), and Abbott, half-backs; Sharp, Sheridan, Brearley, Settle, and Bell, forwards. Derby.- Fryer, goal; Methven and Morris, backs; Warren, A. Goodall, and H. May, half-backs; Turner, Bloomer, J. May, Richards, and Middleton, forwards. Referee, Mr. R. Roberts. Linesmen, J. A. Kay and W. Hackey.
Booth lost the toss, and Brearley kicked off in presence of about 12,000 spectators. Soon after the start Booth fed his forward rank, and the home team at once bounded away along the left Bell at the finish of this move forcing a corner. Whilst this was being taken Methven handled the ball within the charmed area, and the usual penalty kick followed, this being entrusted to Settle, who had no difficulty in finding the net and scoring first goal within the first minute of the game. The Peakites now raced away on their left, where Middleton and Richards put in excellent work, and almost brought about the defeat of Kitchen. As Balmer could not get the ball away before May was upon him, Crelly came to the rescue and prevented May executing his shot with any degree of accuracy, and a slovenly but dangerous movement came to an end with Kitchen relieving. The County forwards were now making things hum, and kept the Everton supporters in a state of tension, but on two occasions excellent dribbling and combination of the cleverest sort proved finally abortive. On the right, Turner sailed away, and the leather was crossed over to the other wing via Bloomer and May, both of the Everton backs being bested in the encounter. Finally Middleton found the leather at his toe, but in an effort to centre he sent the ball well behind, and so neutralised a powerful and prolonged movement. Soon after this May had the ball, with a wide gap between Balmer and Crelly. Eventually Bloomer gave a pass to May, who, when he appeared to have the goal at his mercy, was splendid robbed by Taylor. Soon afterwards Sharp made another dash along his wing, and effected a very fine centre, of which Brearley took possession, and sent the ball flying over the crossbar. Good shots from Bell put Fryer in jeopardy, but on each occasion he was sufficiently resourceful to save his sticks with credit. Derby then made an onward move, but Crelly responded. A free kick was next awarded the Peakites, and from this Middleton planted the leather right in front of Kitchen, who fisted out smartly. After end to end play, during which Richards on the one hand and Brearley on the other display good form, Everton had a free kick against Methven, from which Sharp put the ball wide of the mark. Pretty work by Bloomer culminated in May having another chance, but he was again robbed in the nick of time, Balmer on the occasion, being the stumbling-block. Turner came back along his wing, but he was soon dispossessed by Crelly, and then the sphere was worked down to Derby quarters, where play settled for a time. Several attempts were made to get within shooting distance, but some moments elapsed before Settle found an opening, which he speedily endeavoured to improve upon. However, when he attempted to score Fryer saved his position in splendid fashion. After tame exchanges in midfield the leather travelled smartly up the visitors’ right wing, and pretty work by Bloomer and his partner proved disadvantage to the Everton defence, as the sphere was transmitted to the opposite wing. Here Bell raced away on his own and sandwiched between Morris and Methven; but he shot wide at the rather long range, and appeared to have mulled a good chance. May, Richards, and Middleton, were now responsible for a most tenacious attack at close quarters in which Kitchen and Balmer both got at the leather but failed to clear, and Goodall headed the ball back again. Balmer failing to get at it again, May put over to Richards, and he defeated Kitchen at close quarters but two minutes from the interval. The Everton custodian in endeavouring to save, fell against the post and hurt his ribs. Half-time; Everton 1 goal, Derby County 1 goal. After some effective and pretty work by Sharp, Sheridan, and Brearley, Sheridan sent in a glorious drive at rather long range, but the watchful Fryer once more saved the occasion. Dashing play at close quarters was now the order by all the home forwards, and shot after shot of every description had to be dealt with by Fryer and his two colleagues. Hotter and hotter waxed the attack, until a roaster from Sheridan appeared to penetrate the goal area and bound out again. Everton claimed vigorously for goal, but the referee decided against them. No time was lost in resuming the attack, and with a persistency redoubled, and after two minutes of desperate effort, Bell found the net. Final; Everton 2 goals, Derby County 1 goal.

DERBY COUNTY v.  EVERTON
Derby Daily Telegraph - Wednesday 03 December 1902
Derby County were a long way from covering themselves with glory at Everton on Saturday. Their forwards particular played a very poor game, and though the scores were equal at half-time, and Everton only won at the finish by an odd goal, their superiority was much more pronounced than the score might lead one to suppose. There had been heavy rain in Liverpool during the week, and it is just possible that the state of the ground was not quite lively enough for the Derby forwards. Any way they gave a poor show, and one that was most disappointing to such of their faithful followers as journeyed to Liverpool to see the match. The penalty kick that Everton had the good fortune to secure immediately after the kick-off undoubtedly had an important bearing on the result, and may have accounted to some extent for the County's failure to display their best form. There are few more disheartening experiences that can befall a team than to have a goal scored against them from penalty kick ere the game is two minutes old. It was all the more disheartening as there was no earthly reason why Richards should have handled at all. He was not far from the edge of the area, and could hardly have been under the impression that the ball was at all likely to give Fryer serious trouble. Indeed, but for the fact that he appeared to jump in the air the ball, one would have come to the conclusion that he was really trying to get out of the way of the ball. But however that may be, his mistake was a fatal one, for Settle (who was making his reappearance after an absence of many weeks, and who signalised the fact by playing a great game for his side), made no mistake with the penalty kick. Everton deserved increase their lead considerably afterwards, but Fryer's goalkeeping was really superb, one of his saves, when he took the ball literally off Settle's toes, being as clever a one as we have seen all the season. The Derby equalising goal, which came just on the stroke of the interval, was a very good one. There had just been a free kick, and Middleton placing the ball for Richards, the latter scored at a very awkward angle indeed. Kitchen threw himself against the post in trying to save, but though he was knocked out for a moment he was able to resume. Derby had hard lines with a grand shot from Bloomer at the commencement of the second half, but Everton's second goal was decidedly a lucky one. The ball trickled over the goal line whilst most of the players were appealing for a palpable foul on Archie Goodall, which the referee ignored. Still, although Everton had some luck with their two goals, they deserved to win,chiefly because of the superiority of their forwards, who were occasionally brilliant, and sent some in fine shots. The Derby front rank never seemed to get fairly going, and Bloomer came as near to being a passenger as it is possible for a player of his calibre to be. The left wing again did the better work, but Hugh May in the centre was again terribly weak. Those who had doubts about his unfitness for the position previously, must have been absolutely convinced after witnessing his display at Everton, The half-backs scarcely appeared to be quite as selective as usual, but the backs played a fine game, Morris putting in a lot of fine work. Fryer in goal was absolutely seen at his best. This was lucky, for had he failed them the Derby men might have been beaten by three or four goals.

DILLY IN EVERTON TEAM.
Dundee Evening Telegraph - Saturday 06 December 1902
Dilly, the ex- Arbroathian, is-again included in the Everton team to-day vice Bell, who stands down. He dislocated his shoulder in the second half of the match with Derby County, though he never left the field. Bell has consulted a specialist, but his left arm bangs in a sling, and is very sore. The match is against Sheffield Wednesday at Sheffield.

LIVERPOOL COMPARISONS.
Lancashire Evening Post - Saturday 06 December 1902
Derby County having defeated Liverpool, and Everton having defeated Derby County, Everton, on paper, are superior to Liverpool. I think their position in the League is a more reliable test, and judged by that standard Liverpool are the better team. Their defeat at Derby, the other week, as I said before, ought to have been a draw, if not a win, for them; and it was one thing, a much more difficult thing, to tackle the Peakites at Derby than to be tackled' by them at Goodison. It was a bare win for Everton, and but for that penalty which Settle converted early on, points would have been divided, for there was nothing to choose between the teams afterwards.

SETTLE'S REAPPEARANCE.
Lancashire Evening Post - Saturday 06 December 1902
Settle signalised his reappearance for Everton last week, after having been off since Sept. 13th, by scoring the first goal of the match. One would have expected him scarcely to knew what a goal was, after eleven weeks' absence; but though he showed all his old skill, I am afraid that his record for the season as a sharpshooter is ruined. It is Everton's loss, as well as his; how many goals have they lost, how many matches, during the time that he was in retirement? Is their record for the season ruined, well as his? Everton are not, perhaps, a one-man team—a single "star,” with a cluster of "sticks" —still, it is significant that victory should have returned to them with the return of Settle, and he is either a consummate player, a tower of strength, or a mascotte. Everton could do with both just now, plenty of skill, and plenty of luck; Settle, we know, brings one; let us fervently hope, " "Dicky Sams,” that he brings the other also.

A FAMILY OF FOOTBALLERS
December 6, 1902. Lancashire Daily Post
Mr. Walter Chadwick and His Work
Few families have so closely associated themselves with the association game as the Chadwicks, of Blackburn, and it may with perfect truth be added that the pastime is all the better for their connection with it. Mr. Chadwick, the father, has closely followed the fortunes of the old Blackburn Olympic and the Rovers almost from their formation, and it is a striking testimony of the regard Everton have always had for East Lancashire players that four of his sons-Alfred, Edgar, Walter, and Arthur –should have worn the dark blue jersey. Of this quanette, Edgar has been the only one to gain real distinction in the playing fields, and since his opening season with the famous Hole-in-the-wall Light blues, and throughout his association with the Blackburn Rovers, Everton, Burnley, Southampton, and Liverpool clubs, he has shown a brilliancy and consistency of form which could only have been maintained by a player of such steady and temperate habits. Every distinction in English football-dom has fallen to his lot –bar one. He has never yet earned an English cup gold metal although on several occasions he has participated in the final tie. With Liverpool in their present mood it is possible that he has not yet made his last appearance at the Crystal Palace, but, however, that may be, he will never have a better chance of earning a gold metal than he had with Everton came such an unexpected cropper at Fallowfield in the spring of 1893. Alf, a strongly built full back, possessing unusual tackling abilities, looked like proving a really tip-top defender when an accident decisively check his playing career. Still, with the whistle and on the line he is gradually coming to the front. Arthur, a younger member of the family, has shown good form whilst with Everton, but with so many class men in the ranks of the Toffeeites he has not been able to force his way into first division football. Walter Chadwick, the subject of the present sketch, who comes next to Edgar in point of age, is a sportsman of the very first water. Perhaps no gentleman in North-East Lancashire has done so much to foster local junior football, and he promises to loom largely in the future in the legislative councils of the game. As a player he did not fulfill the expectations formed of him in his youth, and after playing in Everton ranks a couple of seasons he threw himself whole=heartedly into promoting the interests of the rising juniors of Blackburn Sunday School League he was enabled to sign quite a number of youth for the Rovers, many of whom have since made a name for themselves in footballdom; indeed, two of them – Bob Crompton and Fred Blackburn –have risen to international honours. At the present time he is a referee under the auspices of the English, Lancashire, and –to come down the scale –the Blackburn and District Sunday School and Amateur Leagues, being rarely without an engagement of one kind or another. He is officially connected with the Sunday School League, the Amateur League, and the Blackburn Schoolboys, Competition, which has done so much to foster a love for the winter game amongst the boys attending the elementary schools of the town. Indeed, Mr. Chadwick was the originator of this competition, and during the first two years in which he held the secretarial reins, no less than £80 was raised in aid of local charities. In conjunction with Mr. J. Lewis, he has been responsible for the revival of the East Lancashire Charity Shield Competition, which is now participated in by the Sunday School League clubs, and is responsible for the raising of a fair sum annually in aid of local charities. Mr. Chadwick has not confined his efforts solely to football, for he is the originator and present secretary of the Blackburn School Boys and School girls' swimming Association. Through his instrumentality the Association has obtained free bathing facilities for the school children of the town with professional instructors in the natatory art for both boys and girls. Children attend the Corporation Baths in Freckleton-street in parties every 40 minutes throughout the week, a couple of galas winding up the season. The Corporation of Blackburn may be lacking in some respects but for the bathing facilities they have granted to school children they take a leading place. Mr. Chadwick holds that Blackburn is the first town in England in this respect, and states that last year the Association “bathed” 37,000 boys and 8,000 girls, and turned out 400 proficient boy and 160 girl swimmers, over 500 certificates being granted and 160 prizes being given at the galas. Himself a school-master, Mr. Chadwick has not spared himself in order to inculcate a love of honest sport and athletics in the hearts of the schoolboys of the town. He had a hand in establishing the sprint handicap for schoolboys at the annual infirmary gala and has therefore his hands pretty full. Going further afield, Mr. Chadwick is pretty certain to work his way up the football legislature ladder and promises to establish himself a sound, competent referee, of whom there are none too many at the present moment. A fortnight ago he made his first appearance at Deepdale in the centre if the field, and gave satisfaction to Prestonians and Burtonians alike. Though one of the youngest of League referees, he has for a number of years actively associated himself with the organizing of his fellow officials; indeed the Blackburn and District Referee Association has been mainly raised to its present high standard through his efforts. When Mr. Chadwick took over the secretarial reins the Association was in extremely low water, but it can now boast of something like 60 members, headed by such football “notabilities” as Mr. John Lewis, Mr. D.B. Woodfall, and Mr. R. P. Gregson, and Mr. J.J. Cooper. The syllabus is arranged so that some influential gentlemen will address the members at the end of each month, and the Association benefits its members not so much in the way of obtaining for them appointments as in equipping them with a better and more correct knowledge of the laws of the game. At such meetings there can be no doubt that a referee can learn more in an hour than he could derive from a book in a month. Mr. Chadwick deems that each affiliated Referee's Association should take steps to secure representation on the executive of the Lancashire Association, in order that their interests might be attended to Referees pay a registration fee to the Association and are constituted members thereof, thus being entitled to have representation. “I am of the opinion,” remarked Mr. Chadwick the other day, “that referees should rise by merit. I don't believe in anyone being pushed into first class football without going through the mill. A referee should first be capable of managing a junior match, and then rise by degrees. I contend that if a man can handle a game between juniors he is capable to officiate in almost any match.” Mr. Chadwick admits that he owes a great deal of his knowledge to the instruction given him by Mr. J. Lewis, of whom he is a keen follower. He holds that those who follow the “Penalty King” as Mr. Lewis is termed in the South –cannot go far wrong.

TODAYS TEAM NEWS
Liverpool Daily Post - Saturday 06 December 1902
Everton v. Sheffield Wednesday. League Match, at Sheffield; Central Station 10.15. Kick-off 2,30.
Everton.- Kitchen, goal; Balmer and Crelly, backs; Taylor, Booth, and Abbott, half-backs; Sharp, Sheridan, Bowman, Settle, and Dilly, forwards.
Everton Combination v. Trawden Forest.
Lancashire Combination match at Goodison Park; kick-off at 2.30.
Everton; Whitley, goal; Wildman and Harris, backs; Clarke, Russell, an Makepeace, half-backs; McDonald, Boardman, Cullen, Dixon, and Rankin, forwards.

EVERTON v.  SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY
Liverpool Football Echo- Saturday, December 6 1902
The Everton team paid their second visit to Sheffield to-day, in order to meet the Wednesday club on the remotely-situated Owlerton ground. The players left Liverpool shortly after ten o’clock. Sheffield being reached at half-past twelve. The weather, though intensely cold, was beautifully fine, and it was quite an experience to find the atmosphere of the smoky city for once in a way bright an delear. There were two changes in the composition of the Everton eleven from that which defeated Derby County last week. Bell, who last week dislocated his collar-bone, was an absentee, his place being filled by Dilly, while Bowman came into the centre position instead of Brearley. The Sheffielders were well represented, and the was a capital crowd present when the players lined up as follows;-
Everton.- Kitchen, goal; Balmer and Crelly, back; Taylor, Booth (Captain), and Abbott, half-backs; Sharp, Sheridan, Bowman, Settle, and Dilly, forwards.

EVERTON WELL BEATEN.
Lancashire Evening Post - Monday 08 December 1902
In the game at Owlerton on Saturday, Sheffield Wednesday secured a well-merited victory over Everton. The Mersey men made a far better fight than might be gathered from the score. Indeed, during the first 60 minutes they had as much of the play as their opponents. During the remainder of the contest, however, the home men attacked with such spirit and persistency that their superiority became very pronounced.

SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY v. EVERTON
London Daily News - Monday 08 December 1902
The weather was beautifully fine at Sheffield for this match, and the only drawback was that the ground had been rendered rather hard by frost. The game was started in the presence of some 10,000 spectators. The play at the outset was even in character. Kitchen saving from Wilson, and Lyall from Settle. Wilson scored for Wednesday at the end of thirty minutes; but few minutes later Settle equalised for Everton from Sharps centre. However. Wilson scored again for who led at the interval by two goals to one. On resuming the play was fast and interesting. Spikesley receiving the ball from Malloch, headed a third goal for Wednesday, and before the end was reached Wilson obtained a fourth from a corner. Sheffield Wednesday winning by four goals to one.

BIG WIN FOR WEDNESDAY.
Athletic News - Monday 08 December 1902
By Nemo.
The friends of the Sheffield Wednesday team suffered a severe shock a week ago, when their heroes went down at Stoke by four clear goals, but on Saturday they had an experience of a very pleasant kind, which goes far to wipe out the recollection of the disaster in the Potteries. At Owlerton about 10,000 people saw the Everton team vanquished by the “Blades” by 4 goals to 1, and a brilliant victory won and thoroughly deserved. The Wednesday men had to take the field without their dashing right full back, Layton, who for some weeks past has been anything but sound, owing to an injury in the groin, and got rather badly damaged at Stoke, but Thackeray, of the reserves, proved a very capable substitute. Everton, for their part, suffered in their attack from the absence of Bell, who dislocated his shoulder at Derby, and Dilly played outside left.  As a centre-forward they preferred Bowman to Brearley, who had hitherto done duty in that important position.
AN EVEN STRUGGLE
Everton, by winning the toss, had no advantage,  for there was nothing in the choice goals, and no wind to speak of. On the hard frozen ground, which, however, happily had plenty of grass on it and looked in splendid condition, the players went about rather gingerly at first, but soon grew more accustomed to conditions suitable to a winter game, and warmed to their work. Everton were the first to attack dangerously, and Abbott sent a fast shot just wide, which Lyall would have had no chance at had it been straight. Wednesday were not long in responding and from a centre by Spikesley, Wilson got in a sharp low shot at Kitchen, while a few minutes later Chapman, dashing in to take a good centre from Malloch, was only a shade wide with a smart header. On the whole in the earlier stages the visitors were the buster in attack, and Settle gave Lyall one really difficult shot to stop. However, there was not much in it, and twice Spikesley finished dangerous rushes to the other end by wide shots—one, however, very near the mark. The game was half an hour old when the first goal was scored. Wilson getting the best of a tussle with Crelley, and going ahead with only Kitchen in front, crashed the ball against the under edge of the bar, whence it went into the Everton net, so that Wednesday were one up. The Sheffielders, however, did not long maintain their advantage, as Everton replied with a smart attack, and Sharp centring neatly, Settle dashed the ball low and fast into the net, Lyall just managing to touch it in its flight. The game grew exciting as the “Blades” played up again with dash, with Wilson very prominent in attack.  Indeed, the Wednesday centre was twice within an ace of giving his side the lead again before he actually succeeded in doing so from a corner, well taken by Spikesley. Thus a very evenly-contested first half ended with Wednesday leading by 2 goals to 1.
WEDNESDAY ASSERT THEMSELVES.
Wednesday went straight down from the kick-off, and Chapman put the ball only just on the wrong side of the posts.  Then we saw some pretty passing by the Everton front rank, and both Sharp and Booth sent in long shots, which might easily have beaten Lyall had they been a few inches lower. Next we saw Wednesday increase in dash in their attacks, and  Spikesley making a brilliant run and centre, Chapman dashing up the other wing, rushed the ball through, only to be given off-side—a decision which some of us could  scarcely understand, as Kitchen appeared previously to handle the ball. After this the Everton goal was for a few minutes forcibly besieged, and once Wilson seemed a certain scorer, but his shot hit the post. During this period Everton, showed stout and plucky defence, but were rather lucky more than once in keeping their foes out. However, the Wednesday attack was so persistent that it was bound to succeed, and after Kitchen had kept out headers from Wilson and Malloch, he was beaten by another from Spikesley, who cleverly turned a pass from Malloch to account. Up to this point the Evertonians had always seemed to have a chance of getting level, but henceforward Wednesday’s supremacy was assured, Spikesley got the ball through again, but was off-side. A burst away by Everton during which Lyall at the second attempt skillfully cleared a magnificent shot from Sheridan, was followed by more pressure on the visitors' goal, which luckily escaped, as Malloch and Ruddlesdin each struck the bar. Then came a corner, well placed Spikesley.  Crawshaw headed in, and Wilson for the third time in the match, put the ball in the net, and gave Wednesday a fourth goal. Right up to the end both teams straggled gallantly, and Wednesday finished winners of a splendid game by 4 goals to 1.
COMMENTS.
There was very little to choose in the play of the teams during the first half, and if Wednesday deserved to lead by a goal, this was the utmost that could be said. But after the Sheffielders had scored their third point there was only one team in it, and the Everton defence had a very sultry time. The disparity in the teams was mainly seen in front goal. Everton did a lot of clever mid-field combination, and much of their passing was pretty to look upon, but they did not “get there" like the irrepressible Wednesday warriors. Settle's goal was a gem, and so was the pass whereby Sharp gave him the ball. Sharp also sent in several very fine long shots, and was, to my mind, the best forward on his side. Booth did some excellent work at centre half, and Balmer was the better of a sturdy pair of backs, who had a lot of work do. Wednesday, cool in defence and dashing in attack, were distinctly the better team; but it was in respect of stamina that their superiority was really pronounced. The forward brigade was particularly strong. Wilson shone at centre, and shot three of the four goals.  Spikesley and Malloch made a very smart left wing, and the old International owes much of his success this season to the clever and hardworking partner he has with him. Malloch did a lot of very good work in the many attacks Wednesday set up on Saturday.  Crawshaw  was scarcely so successful on the hard ground as he usually is on a soft surface, and his long shots at goal were not exactly models of accuracy in direction. Ferrier and Ruddlesdin played excellently, Ruddlesdin doing a lot of fine work in defence, and I don't think there was a better halt-back on the field. Thackeray filled Layton’s place at right back in most creditable fashion.
Sheffield Wednesday: Lyall; Thackeray and Langley; Ferrier, Crawshaw, and Ruddlesdin; Davis, Chapman, Wilson, Malloch, and Spikesley.  Everton; Kitchen; Balmer, and Crelley; Taylor, Booth, and Abbott; Sharp, Sheridan, Bowman, Settle, and Dilly.  Referee; A. Kingscott, Derby. 

PROMINET LIVERPOOL AMATUER
Athletic News - Monday 08 December 1902
By Junius
William O’Brien
The subject of the week’s sketch is Mr. William O’Brien, nephew of Lord Chief Justice O’Brien, and one of the most prominent members of the Old Xaverians F.C.  This club has invariably held a good position in the Lancashire Amateur League, having two years in succession been the runners-up for the championship, and it may perhaps be recollected that last April they took a team over to Holland, which met with a most cordial reception.  Much of the success which has attended the efforts of the old Boys of St. Francis Xavier’s Colleague has been due to the ability of O’Brien who is a forward of no mean merit.  Born at Liscard, twenty-two years ago, he was educated at Ampleforth Colleague, and here he learnt all his football under the mentorship of the famous “Jimmy” Ross, who was at this time acting as coach at the Colleague.  He stands 5ft 10ins, and scales the beam at 12st.  His experience in football warfare has not been confined to amateur circles alone, in which he has obtained county honours, but he has assisted Everton when invited and when he found it convenient to get away from business.  He represented the County Palatine last season, and the three preceding years, and at outside left displayed capital form.  Although he has chiefly, in the connection with the Everton Club, assisted the Reserves eleven, he has also figured in the League team.  With the former, he materially aided in bring the Lancashire Combination championship to Goodison Park.  In remembrance of which he boasts the possession of a medal.  He is a rare useful forward, and the Old Xaverians attack can never be said to be at its best when O’Brien is absent. 

A WELL-CONTESTED GAME AT GOODISON PARK
Athletic News - Monday 08 December 1902
By Junius
The Everton directors had made numerous changes in their reserve team to oppose Trawden Forest in their Lancashire Combination match, the result being that a point was dropped which had been looked upon somewhat in the light of a certainty.  The visitors in fact, kept Everton extended throughout the ninety-minutes, and made one wonder why they occupy such a lowly position in the result list.  It was near the interval ere the scoring was opened, when Boardman at inside right, gave Everton the lead with a close range shot.  Immediately on restarting Blackshaw, the Trawsden centre, equalized, and this proved to be the final verdict.  Much to the credit of this draw was due to the Trawden custodian Arnott, who, I am told gave an excellent display, but the team all round appeared a wonderfully even combination, their forwards the most prominent, being quick on the ball, whilst the defence was exceedingly sound.  Ashsworth at right back and Nunnick at centre half rendering useful service.  Everton were naturally surprised at the opposition they found they had to face.  Their forwards were not so effective as usual, Rankin and Boardman being the most conspicuous figures, nut the strength of the team was at half-back, where Russell was always in evidence, closely followed by Chadwick.  Whitley kept a very good goal, but the full backs were only moderate, and give him little assistance.  As other grounds throughout the country, the ground was very hard, and Trawden seemed more at home on it than did the home eleven. 

SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY 4 EVERTON 1
December 8, 1902. The Liverpool Courier
Everton journey to Sheffield on Saturday to Oppose the Wednesday team at Owlerton. They made two changes from the team, which defeated Derby County. Bowman playing centre and Dilly outside left, Brearley being dropped and Bell having dislocated his collarbone, Sheffield played Thackeray for Layton. The ground was terribly hard teams: - Everton: - Kitchen goal, Balmer and Crelly, Taylor Booth (captain) and Abbott, half-backs, Sharp, Sheridan, Bowman, Settle and Dilly, forwards. Sheffield Wednesday: - Lyall, goal, Thackeray, and Langley, backs, Ferrier, Crawshaw, and Ruddlesdin, half-backs, Davis, Chapman, Wilson, Mutlock, and Spikesley forwards. Referee A.Kingscott. There was a fairly large crowd when a minute before half-past two, Wilson kicked off. Everton had the sun in front of them, but had the advantage of a slight breeze. Chapman and Davis immediately made play on the right, but challenged by Crelly, the ball was put out of touch. Bowman recovered ground, but Crawshaw prevented his further advance, and tripping the ball to Wilson, the latter player got within shooting distance, when he was timely hustled off the ball by Balmer. The Everton forward now settled down to some effective play, and the ball travelled from, end to end of the line. At this juncture both Thackeray and Langley were kept busy, and to prevent disaster, resorted to kicking out methods. However Settle got away, and gave Bowman a distinct chance but he over ran the ball, and then Abbott shot wide. The pace was maintained at a rapid rate, and coupled with really good play made the game very interesting. The Sheffielders now had a turn of sustained attack, and Chapman came within measurable distance of scoring with a header, the result of a smart centre from Spikesley. Balmer, and Shortly afterwards Settle and Sheridan were prominent in efforts to get the better of the home defence raised the siege. The inside left was somewhat unlucky with a terrific shot, which Langley charged down whilst Sharp was only a moment late in converting a neat pass from his colleague. At this stage Everton unfused great dash into the game, and were indisputably a dangerous side. The non-success of the Everton forwards was undoubtedly owing to the fine defensive play of Langley and Thackeray, who were ever on the ball, and anticipated to a nicety where Lyall was likely to be troubled. Then followed another breakaway by the Blades, and Spikesley's effort was only misjudged by inches. Almost immediately a corner kick was won by Dilly, but Settle received attention, when steadying himself for a shot. End to end plays followed. But only item of interest was a smart finish up by Spikesley, while Booth attended to. On a further passage of arms the Everton skipper had to concede a corner, which came to nothing. Wednesday were now distinctly dangerous, the foremost of them being Spikesley and Davis. The Blades now swung the ball about in a matter that temporarily unhinged the Everton defence, and a tussle between Crelly and Davis almost brought about disaster, as the little outside man shot narrowly wide of the mark. Getting to work again similar methods were adopted by the home centre, and on the ball being placed back to him, he had the better of Balmer and having now no opposition but Kitchen, sent in a fast shot, which struck under the bar, and entered the net with the custodian had missed his footing. This success came after the game had been in progress barley half an hour. With a couple of minutes the home lead was reduced by Settle who converted a smart pass from the right by means of a fast ground shot. Both team still strove hard for the master, and a long shot from Chapman sailed over the crossbar. The Blades were the more assertive, and twice the Everton goal had very narrow escapes indeed. On a third occasion Taylor had to concede a corner kick, which Spikesley dropped towards Wilson, who made no mistake, and from the close position to goal, Kitchen had no chance to avert Wednesday second goal. Half time Wednesday 2, Everton 1.
Wilson almost broke through in the second half in the first minute, and Sharp skimmed the Wednesday bar. Wednesday were soon attacking again. Mutlock shooting across the goalmouth, and later the same player at the end of a brilliant run by Wilson, shot magnificently, the Everton goal having a wonderfully narrow escape. Everton seldom managed to get close and several corners fell to Wednesday. Nothing came of them. Play afterwards ruled in favour of Wednesday, and Spikelsey headed a third goal. Ruddlesdin next hit the bar with a fine shot. From a corner Wilson added a fourth goal for the Blades. Result Wednesday 4, goals, Everton 1.

EVERTON RESERVES 1 TRAWDEN FOREST 1
December 8, 1902. The Liverpool Courier
Lancashire Combination. (Game 13)
At Goodison-park, the ground being very hard. Trawden play very well, and had the best of matters at the start. Nunnick hit the bar, while Whitley saved well on several occasions. Towards the interval, Everton improved, and Broadman scored. Shortly after resuming Blackshaw equalised and although each end was afterwards visited there was no more scoring the game ending in a draw on one goal each. Everton: - Whitley, goal, Wildman, and V Harris, backs, Boardman, Ressell, and Makepeace, half-backs, McDonald, Boardman, Cullen, Dixon and Rankin, forwards.

EVERTON REVIEW
December 8, 1902. The Liverpool Mercury
The news of Everton's severe at Sheffield on Saturday created keen disappointment and surprise amongst their supporters. Still, there was no surprise for anyone who witnessed the game in which Everton sustained their most disastrous defeat of the season. Hitherto, in the eight matches, which have been lost, only one goal separated the winning and the losing side. Last Saturday's result created a new and by no means pleasant record for the Goodison Park club, and singularly enough, too, the verdict might have been much more pronounced than was represented by a score of four goals to one. There can be no doubt that in the second half of the game, not two, but possible half-a-dozen goals might have been registered by Sheffield Wednesday. This may seem somewhat peculiar when it is stated that for practically half of the game Everton was quite the equal of the Blades. It was a curious game, altogether, and up to the interval, although Wednesday were then leading, everything pointed to a fierce struggle for supremacy. On the hard, frost bound ground, the Evertonians opened in really splendid style. There was combination, there was dash in their movements, and there was an evident determination to succeed which led one to think that Wednesday would have to submit to what is a rare occurrence at Owerton Park- defeat in the presence of their own supporters. Somehow, the efforts of the visiting side could not produce the much-desired goal. Then a sudden break away gave an opening to that powerfully built centre-forward, Wilson who found the net with a shot with which Kitchen was totally unable to cope. Although a couple of minutes later Settle equalised with a fast ground shot, the Blades having tasted blood, played like quite a different team to what they were in the earlier stages of the encounter, with the result that the whistle had blow for the interval. Upto this point the game had presented more attractive feature the dashing forward play being combined with rare defensive tactics on the part of the team. But a very different story has to be told about the second portion. Right from the resumption Sharp skimmed the crossbar with a brilliant shot, but after this Everton were amply outclassed and outplayed. And it is many a long day since they had to submit to such a showing up. They seemed absolutely incapable of dealing with the remarkable clever and consistent efforts of their opponents. Under the circumstances the Blades adopted the right method of attack. They indulged in no fine short passing bouts, but swinging the ball across the field on every possible occasion, and backed up this class of play by alertness, and judgement, which every few moments threatened the Everton goal. Indeed it was quite astonishing that they were only rewarded by two goals. True, the ball on two other occasions was placed into the net, but the referee declared against them on account for offside, and through apparently one of the goals was quite legitimate it was a lucky circustance for Everton that the referee though otherwise. Such sustained pressure that the Wednesday players maintained might easily have produced a harvest of goals.

Everton made two changes from the team, which gave such a brilliant display against Derby County- a display, which led one to expect better things from the side on Saturday. In one case the alteration was unavoidable. Bell had dislocated his collarbone and therefore his place at outside left was taken by Dilly. With regard to the other change it was somewhat questionable if the directors of the club were well advised in displacing Brearsley in favour of Bowman, especially in view of the creditable performance of the ex-Middlesbrough player of the previous week. Certainly Bowman was by no means an ideal centre. He not only failed to distribute the play, but his passing was frequently very fault. Dilly too, was not a success in Bell's position, and seemed quite unable to co-operate with Settle, who throughout the game was always a trier. The right wing was the more successful and it was from Sharp and Sheridan that there was anything like an incisive attack. For once in a way the half-backs were not successful, but Abbott's ineffectiveness is probably due to a groin sprain which he sustained in the opening stages of the game. Considering the vast amount of work, which they were called upon to perform, both Balmer and Crelly did exceptionally well. Their methods were quite as safe, and effective as usual, and Kitchen certainly distinguished himself, and he could not be blamed for the big adverse margin. The Wednesday team are to be congratulated upon the wholeheartedness of their efforts. The forwards rarely allowed an opportunity of making headway to pass unheeded, and had they been at all deadly in their marksmanship the escutcheon of the Blues must have been severely tarnished. Wilson was a big success in the centre, at half-back Crawshaw played a great game, so far as breaking up tactics were concerned, and it was probably owing to his effectiveness in this respect that Bowman was unable to keep his line together. The full backs were sound, and in goal Lyall in the first half gave a display of cool custodianship, which was by no means an insignificant feature of the match.

REFEREE’S
Athletic News - Monday 08 December 1902
MR. A.G. HINES
When a football man has attained the dignity of membership of the Council of the Football Association, he has usually reached an age which precludes active participation in the game. Of recent years we have had a player sitting as a member, and Mr. C. Wreford-Brown was a unit of the committee which chose him to play against Scotland. But looking over the list of councillors, approaching about 50 in number we find that four of them are on the referees’ list of the League, and one of them is Mr. Alfred G. Hines, of Nottingham. Almost a quarter of a century ago he was one of the founders of the club which in 1882 developed into the Notts Olympic, and he was, as a matter of fact, its fact, its first secretary. Football has made much progress since those days. Mr. Hines has moved with it, and just as enthusiastic as he was twenty years ago. He acknowledges that he was never much of a player, his chief object being, as an umpire, to bamboozle the referees of two decades ago into giving their decisions in favour of the Olympic, he continued in the office of secretary until 1891, and on his retirement was presented with a silver tea and coffee service and an illuminated address. In 1887 his good services were recognised by the Notts Association, who presented him with a gold medal. When the Nottinghamshire Football Association was formed in 1882 Mr. Hines was one of the first representatives. In 1889 he was elected hon. treasurer, and in the same year was appointed to represent the Association on the Council of the Football Association and to this day he has retained both positions. He has not been a dormant councillor, either, for in 1898 he was asked to become secretary for Division 5 to 6, an office which requires attention, particularly during the preliminary rounds for the National Cup. In 1896 he became a member of the Re-Instatement Committee, and in 1899 of the Consultative Committee, which is perhaps the most important of all, for it carries on the bulk of the work of the Council.
Mr. Hines was the first hon. secretary of the Notts Referees’ Association, and it is claimed that this body was the first to introduce the examination of referees and the first to issue instructions on the laws of the game. His experience of refereeing has been varied, as he has officiated in League, Southern League, and Midland League matches, while he has also been in charge of the North v. South match and twice taken the line in final ties at the Crystal Palace. It may reasonably be claimed for Mr. Hines that he knows something of football. He also acted as secretary of a cricket club for seven years, was president of the famous Notts Boulevard Cycling Club for a few years, and was chairman of the local Licensing Committee for two years; but, after all, football is the sport which has occupied most of his leisure, even to the detriment of a possible musical career.

SATURDAY’S FOOTBALL
Liverpool Daily Post - Monday 08 December 1902
The Everton team had to submit to a rather ignominious trouncing from Sheffield Wednesday. The playing pitch of the Owlerton enclosure- probably the most inaccessible ground in League football- was naturally on the hard side, but the pace throughout was surprisingly fast. Everton started with the advantage of a slight breeze, and enjoyed a fair proportion of the play in the first half, being only a goal behind at the interval. Subsequently, however, the Sheffielders’ showed splendid dash, and they were practically “all over” their opponents. Indeed the margin of goals against Everton might easily have been heavier, for the ball was netted twice without being counted as a point. Altogether the Wednesday men were quicker on the ball than their opponents, and they showed some really admirable wing play. Fred Spikesley was in his happiest vein, his lightning-like flashes along the left wing being superb, while he invariably centred well. On the look out for work, and he was a constant source of anxiety of both Balmer and Crelly, who had anything but a rosy time. Wilson, the centre forward, is an exceedingly useful player, having the inestimable advantage of weight in addition to speed. Ferrier was, perhaps, the pick of the half-backs, and the Wednesday have a capital full-back in the person of Thackeray. Disappointing as was Everton’s display there were some neat touches occasionally among the forwards. The pick of the quintette was Settle, who was responsible for the solitary goal placed to their credit. Bowman missed several nice openings, and Sharp spoiled many opportunities by “fiddling” with the ball. The half-back line did some capital work, Taylor having a very dangerous wing to look after. The backs were neither of them great, but Kitchen kept a fine goal, and could in no way be blamed for the gaols registered against him.

SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY v.  EVERTON
Liverpool Mercury - Monday 08 December 1902
This game, at Owlerton, Sheffield, was witnessed by 10,000 people, the weather being brilliant. Layton was out of the home team, Thackeray taking his place, and Everton also changed their team. The ground was hard. Even play marked the opening stages. Wilson scored after 25 minutes, but Settle soon equalised. Wilson, however, gave Wednesday the lead.
Half-time; Wednesday 2, Everton 1.
There were 12,000 spectators when the game was resumed. It nearly all went in favour of Wednesday their opponents rarely getting in close proximity to Lyall. After 25 minutes Spikesley headed a third goal, and then following shots from Mallach and Ruddlesden, which struck the post, a fourth goal was scrimmaged through. Result- Sheffield Wednesday 4, Everton 1.
Everton.- Kitchen, goal; Balmer and Crey, backs; Taylor, Booth (Captain) and Abbott, half-backs; Sharp, Sheridan, Bowman, Settle, and Dilly, forwards.
Sheffield Wednesday.- Lyall, goal; Thackeray and Langley, backs; Ferrier, Crawshaw, and Ruddleston, half-backs; Davis, Chapman, Wilson, Mallock, and Spikesley, forwards. Referee; Mr. Kingscott.

EVERTON v.  SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY
Liverpool Daily Post - Monday 08 December 1902
At Sheffield. Teams;-
Everton.- Kitchen, goal; Balmer and Crey, backs; Taylor, Booth (Captain) and Abbott, half-backs; Sharp, Sheridan, Bowman, Settle, and Dilly, forwards.
Sheffield Wednesday.- Lyall, goal; Thackeray and Langley, backs; Ferrier, Crawshaw, and Ruddleston, half-backs; Davis, Chapman, Wilson, Mallock, and Spikesley, forwards. Referee; Mr. Kingscott.
With the continued frost the playing pitch was naturally on the hard side. The visitors won the toss, and took advantage of the slight breeze, but to do this they had to face the sun. the homesters at once made play on the right, but Crelly checked well, the ball going out of play. Before Lyall could get to the ball Abbott rushed up, and he had a clear goal in front of him, when he shot outside, thus missing a grand opportunity. Following upon this, Sharp and Sheridan again put in some exceedingly clever work, but Langley eventually cleared, and Crawshaw gave to Spikesley, who raced down, and put in a magnificent centre, which was met by Wilson, who shot in from short range, but Kitchen cleared finely. After a slight breakaway the Sheffielders returned on the left, and Spikesley once more sent in a lovely centre, which Chapman headed just outside. So far the home contingent had been enjoying all the best of the argument, but at length the visitors got away in fine combined order, and both Bowman and Settle tried shots, which were charged down by the backs. Keeping up the pressure, the Everton forwards made matters very lovely for a few minutes. Sharp sent in from near the corner flag, and Settle looked very like converting the shot, when he was dispossessed by Ferrier, who cleared cleverly. After a long spell of attack the Evertonians were forced to retreat through Spikesley getting possession, and racing through at top speed over the frozen turf he got within shooting range unimpeded, but ended by shooting wide. There was no mistaking the determination of the home team, and they returned again on the left. Crelly, in trying to head a dropping shot, missed his calculation, and so let in Wilson, who rushed through, a scored a fine goal, the ball glancing from the crossbar, into the net. This success came after rather less than half an hour’s play, and naturally gave the Blades encouragement. The visitors, however, were by no means daunted, and right from the kick-off they moved towards Lyall. After one check Sharp got possession, and passed nicely across to Settle, who ran in, and scored with a swift shot within a couple of minutes of the Sheffielders’ success. With the teams again on equal terms, the game was continued at a fast and exciting pace, and in spite of the hardness of the ground some capital football was witnessed. The homesters put forth almost superhuman efforts to gain another lead, and from a breakaway by Davis, Wilson shot within inches of the goal, catching the outside of the net. Spikesley had a try, and he in turn only missed by the narrowest of margins. The Evertonians were now practically penned within their own territory, and from a low shot by Wilson Kitchen was forced to grant a corner. This was splendidly played, and from the bully in front of goal Wilson succeeded in driving the leather into the net. The visitors made a gallant attempt to get through, but without success, and the Wednesday were again attacking when half-time arrived- Wednesday 2 goals, Everton 1.
On crossing over, the game was resumed at a terrific pace. The home forwards went away in combined order, and Dennis sent in a beautiful shot which skimmed the bar. Balmer succeeded in clearing. Everton advanced on the right, Sharp, who had put in some pretty touches in the first half, running down and sending the ball right into Lyall’s hands. The latter only just succeeded in throwing clear when he was pounced upon by Settle. After a bit of midfield work the Sheffielders again got going strongly, and for several minutes there was an exciting bully in front of Kitchen. Crelly cleared them out-it was only for a time. The Blades soon swooped down once more. This time they made ground on the left, Spikesley passed across to Davis, who ended in netting the ball, but he was promptly ruled offside- a decision which many of the Sheffielders seemed to disagree with. Not to be denied, the Sheffielders made another persistent attack on the Everton citadel, and on more than one occasion Kitchen had considerable difficulty in keeping his charge intact. Everton had a breakaway on the left, but the Sheffield goal was not severely troubled. Soon after this the Blades once more rushed down, and Kitchen was beaten for a third time. Following upon this, Everton tried hard to narrow the margin, but without success, and before the whistle sounded for the cessation of hostilities the Everton defence was pierced for the fourth time. The game, which had been very fast throughout, ended in a well merited victory for the Wednesday.
Result; Sheffield Wednesday 4 goals, Everton 1.

SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY v.  EVERTON
Sheffield Independent - Monday 08 December 1902
WEDNESDAY WIN BRILLIANTLY
In bright, sharp, frosty weather, some 10,000 people assembled at the Owlerton ground on Saturday and witnessed the Wednesday team gain a brilliant victory over Everton by four goals to one. The visitors fought well up to a certain point, and played good football throughout, but in the last half-hour of the game they were completely outplayed by the Sheffielders, who displayed much vigour and skill in attack. The ground, though hard, was in excellent condition. The contest was interesting and prolific of exciting incidents. Wednesday, who were short of Layton (injured), played Thackeray at right full-back with success. Everton were without Bell, their famous outside left having dislocated his shoulder in the previous Saturday’s match, and Dilly filled the position, while Brearley was dropped from centre forward in favour of Bowman. Conditions were even when Wilson started the ball for Wednesday in the direction of Penistone road. The home forwards bore down on the Everton goal straight from the kick-off, but Davis failed to reach a well-intentioned pass from Wilson, and the ball went into touch. The Evertonians quickly retaliated with spirit, Bowman once shooting wide when well placed, while a second shot cannoned back of Ruddlesdin. Then Wednesday returned to the attack, and in spite of the hard and somewhat slippery turf showed some smart passing, chiefly between the left wing and centre. Kitchen had to pick up a slow shot from Wilson, but so well did Balmer and Crelly cover their goalkeeper that it was the only time he had to handle before the attack was broken up and the Sheffielders driven back. The visitors then had a turn, and were several times exceedingly dangerous, the home defence slipping about in a manner which looked like leading to disaster, Thackeray twice clearing right in front of Lyall. A couple of corners, too, fell to Everton, but neither was improved upon. At the other end Spikesley hooked the ball a foot wide of Kitchen’s charge, but a moment later, with a clear course, was a long way out of his reckoning. Wednesday at this stage were going stronger-though Lyall had one teaser from Settle to clear- and the visitors’ defence had some anxious moments. Davis, from a pass by Wilson, whipped the ball across the goal-mouth, Spikesley failing to reach it by a shade. However, a couple of minutes later Wilson, following up, got the better of Crelly, and, going on, beat Kitchen with a shot that hit the under-side of the bar and found the net safely. The home lot, however, were not destined to keep their lead long, for almost at once the Everton forwards got down, and a mis-kick by Crawshaw left Sharp in possession. That player promptly centred to Settle, who, with a fast, low shot, equalised. For a moment the Wednesday forwards were very loose, but quickly pulling themselves together, they set to work to regain the lead. Chapman had the first chance, but shot high over the bar amidst a loud howl of disappointment. A few minutes later during a warm attack Crelly handled, and from the free-kick Wilson was only a few inches wide with a shot that most of the spectators thought had scored. The pressure was kept up, and at length another goal came, Wilson being the executant with a sharp grounder out of a scrimmage following a corner, after Kitchen had saved twice. The bulk of the play that followed to the interval was in favour of the “Blades,” though the visitors kept breaking away in dangerous manner, the danger being increased by the evident uncertain way in which several of the home defenders kept their footing. Thackeray several times cleared smartly, showing confidence and keeping the ball low. In the last few minutes Spikesley had a chance or two, but was each time kept out by the force of numbers, and at half-time the game stood; Wednesday 2 goals, Everton 1 goal.
Straight from the kick-off Wilson and Chapman broke away, but the latter shot wide, and the Everton right wing dashing down, Sharp tried a long shot, the ball passing a foot over the bar. Returning to the attack, Booth tried an almost identical shot, which met with the same fate. Then Spikesley got in a run half the length of the field, and centreing splendidly, the right wing pair rushed the ball through, only to have the goal disallowed for some reason not apparent. The decision put the home team on their mettle, and they set up one of their hottest attacks, during which the Everton stronghold had a series of most narrow escapes, shot after shot being send in. Some were dead on the mark, and these Kitchen managed to save, while several were just wide, and once the ball struck the inside of the post and then came out. A terrific shot by Chapman struck Abbott and went for a corner, which, however, was cleared, and then the Everton left wing relieved the pressure, only to be sent back for a foul by Dilly on Thackeray. Langley lifted the ball well in, and Balmer nearly headed through his own goal. Kitchen just managing to touch the ball over the bar. Another goal seemed certain to come, and come it did at last, Spikesley heading through from Malloch. The attack of the home team was now well nigh irresistible, and first Malloch and then Ruddleadin rattled the cross-bar with shots that deserved goals. A pass by Wilson was snapped up by Spikesley, who again beat Kitchen, only to be ruled off-side. Exciting incidents were very numerous, though they were all at one end, with one exception, for the Everton forwards, breaking away on the right, Sharp fully tested Lyall with a beautiful thirty yards’ shot. The relief, however, was only momentary, the Sheffielders quickly returning to the attack, and adding another goal to their lead, Wilson this time beating the Everton custodian out of a scrimmage following a corner well directed by Spikesley. The “Blades” bore down on the visitors’ goal again, clever and dashing work by the whole of their forward line keeping the “Blues” defence at full stretch, both backs and halves, however, kicking strongly, and tackling sturdily, Booth and Balmer being frequently conspicuous. A smart run by Davis and Chapman ended in the former banging the ball in almost from the touch-line, Kitchen having to catch and throw it away in a hurry, while an almost better attempt from the inside man was cleverly saved by Kitchen, after which the visitors’ centre and right got under weigh, Sheridan at the finish forcing a corner. This almost led to disaster for the Sheffielders, as Lyall rushed out but missed the ball, Settle only heading just outside the post. From this point to the finish play was of a straggling nature, the eladers easily holding their advantage, and the losers making some feeble attempts to lessen the gap between the two teams, the game ending, without further scoring, in a well-deserved victory for the Wednesday men. Result; Sheffield Wednesday 4 goals, Everton 1 goal.
Sheffield Wednesday.- Lyall, goal; Thackeray and Langley, backs; Ferrier, Crawshaw, and Ruddleston, half-backs; Davis, Chapman, Wilson, Mallock, and Spikesley, forwards.
Everton.- Kitchen, goal; Balmer and Crey, backs; Taylor, Booth (Captain) and Abbott, half-backs; Sharp, Sheridan, Bowman, Settle, and Dilly, forwards.
Referee; Mr. A. Kingscott, Derby.

TRAWDEN DEFEATED AT LIVERPOOL
Burnley Gazette - Wednesday 10 December 1902
Trawden Forest journeyed to Liverpool on Saturday, and encountered Everton reserve in cold weather, and on a hard ground. Blackshaw started, and at the outset the visitors showed up splendidly. They kept their feet much better than the homesters, and Nunnick fired at the bar with a beauty. Following this, Blackshaw grazed the post, and Calrk turned a dangerous rusg. Crabtree and Ashworth were too smart for the home forwards and Whitley saved a header from Grime. Then Everton had a turn, but the vsiting backs defended well, and the game was again transfered to home territory, Bowes hitting the post. For a long time Arnott had a cold experience in goal, for he had nothing to do. Later on, however, Broadman sent in a couple of shots, which he dealt with splendidly. He also saved from Rankin, and at the other end Whitley dealt with one from Robinson. Then Crabtree miskicked, and nearly gave a goal. Trawden continued to show fine form and had as much of the game as their opponents. Just before the interval, Whitley saved grandly from Blackshaw, and then Broadman scored for Everton, who at half time were leading bty one goal to nil. In the second half Trawden pressed for a considerable time, and experienced very hard lines in not equalising. Everton, too, made a vigorous effort to increase their narrow lead. The half-time score remained unaltered, and Everton thus secured the victory.

THE COMPLAINT AGAINST DERBY COUNTY FOOTBALLERS.
Derby Daily Telegraph - Wednesday 10 December 1902
LETTER FROM A REFEREE TO A. GOODALL.
With reference to the remarks quoted in our football notes last Saturday's " Telegraph " from Liverpool contemporary anent the conduct of certain members of the Derby County F.C'., Mr. R. Roberts, of Crewe, who officiated the match at between Derby County and Everton has written the following letter to A. L. Goodall, the captain of Derby County: "Your letter just received. I am exceedingly sorry to hear that report has appeared in one of your local papers that I had occasion caution two of your players for using obscene language in your match versus Everton on the 29th ult. On the contrary, I am pleased to say that I had no occasion to caution any of your players for either filthy language or ungentlemanly behaviour. I am sorry to say that some of the reporters these days manufacture all kinds of tales for publication. You are at liberty to publish my letter if you think fit, as think it is very unfair to have plavers slightted when there isno "occasion for it." [It should be stated that the paragraph in a Liverpool paper which was quoted in our columns referred the match between Derby County and Liverpool at Derby, and it has not been stated that the referee in the Everton match cautioned the players.—Ed. "D. D. T."]

HEYWOOD V. EVERTON RESERVE
Lancashire Evening Post - Saturday 13 December 1902
At Heywood, before 15,000 spectators. Bowman started for Everon, and play was keenly contested. Johnson scored with a splendid shot, and at the interval Heywood led by one goal to nil. Play nin the second half was again interesting, Wolstenholmes on several occasions saving brilliantly for the home team. Longsworth added a second point for Heywood, whilst Dilly and Boardman secured for Everton. Result; Heywood 2, Everton Reserve 2.

EVERTON'S DOWNWARD COURSE
Lancashire Evening Post - Saturday 13 December 1902
There is much heart-searching at Goodison in consequence of Everton's downhill course. Just think that a season ago they were second in the League; now they are tweltfh. A season ago Liverpool were eleventh; now they are seventh. The change is starting, and it is all the more painful to Everton because, while they are the underdog, Liverpool are the top. There would not have been so much cause of complaint had both been down; common misfortunes would have made their lot more bearable; but when Everton are down and Liverpool up, the Toffess naturally feel envious, and their faithful followers are getting angry, and want to know, you know, the reason of their decline and fall.

TODAYS TEAM NEWS
Liverpool Daily Post - Saturday 13 December 1902
Everton v. West Bromwich Albion. At Goodison Park; kick-off 2.15.
Everton.- Kitchen, goal; Balmer and Crelly, backs; Taylor, Booth and Abbott, half-backs; Sharp, Young, Brearley, Settle, and Sheridan, forwards.
Everton v Heywood
At Heywood; Exchange Station, 11.15; Kick-off 2.30.
Everton;- Whitley, goal; Henderson and Wildman, backs; Wolstenholme, Russell and Chadwick, half-backs; Rankin, Boardman, Bowman, Makepeace, and Dilly, forwards.

EVERTON v  WEST BROMWICH ALBION
The Liverpool Football Echo- Saturday, December 13 1902
BREARLEY OPENS THE SCORE FOR EVERTON
LEE EQUALISES
By Pigeon Post and Telephone
West Bromwich who visited the Goodison Park enclosure this afternoon to antagonise the Evertonians, have a wonderful record so far this season, and the uncompromising manner in which they have fought their way to the top of the League ladder is truly sensational. Local enthusiasts may justly feel proud, as events have turned out, that of the only two defeats inflicted on the Throstles, the Anfielders shared the glory by visiting Birmingham and returning home triumphant with the coveted two points. Whether Everton would prove capable of checking the victorious match of the champions was a difficult problem for the supporters of the “Blues” to solve. No doubt Everton have performed brilliantly this season on some occasions, but the record of the Throstles is enough to damp the most sanguine anticipations. They have scored 24 points out of a possible 30, whilst the Goodison brigade have only put up 13 points as the result of sixteen encounters. The large crowd which early commenced to put in an appearance testified to the popularity of the match and to a truly sportsmanlike appreciation of the splendid qualities displayed by the visitors in the football arena during the season. At the same time, there was a secret but no less earnest hope that Everton would rise to the occasion, and slip the wings of the throstles. After the inglorious display of last week the Everton directorate found it necessary to once more shuffle the front rank, though such procedure could hardly ensure victory, as the Evertonians front rank has been constantly changed during the season, and with very little beneficial results. At any rate, the front rank was decidedly weak last Saturday. On the other hand, though the rulers of the Throstles have been forced to make such changes as the occasion required, it does not appear to have affected the morale of the team for weakened it perceptibly. Just before the time for starting had become known, there were three changes in the home team announced. Wolstenholme taking Taylor’s place at half back, the latter-named going forward vice Young, and Rankin performing at outside left in place of Sheridan. The West Bromwich team was as advertised. The teams took to the field under the command of Mr. N. Whittaker. There would be about 12,000 present when the Elevens came up as follows;
Everton.- Kitchen, goal; W. Balmer and Crelly, backs; Wolstenholme, Booth (Captain), and Abbott, half-backs; Sharp, Taylor, Brearley, Settle, and Rankin, forwards.
West Bromwich Albion;- Webb, goal; Kifford and Adams, backs; Nurse, Stevenson, and Hadley, half-backs; McLean, Buck, Lee, Worton, and Dorsett, forwards.
Referee Mr. N. W. Whittaker. Linesmen, Messrs Downs and Cartnell.
The initial movement was entrusted to Brearley, and the Blues made a promising incursion at Adams had to pass back to Webb under pressure, and the Throstles twice put the leather outside to escape the attentions of the Everton right. Stevenson attempted to get his side out of difficulties, but Wolstenholme returned the leather, and Sharp emerged victorious from a duel with Hadley, and shot the ball into the centre, but there was no one to receive it, and the sphere went behind. Up to this point Webb had been eagerly tested. Settle was the next to race away, and as the result of a heavy shot Webb required some patching up, and the game came to a standstill for a few minutes. Restarting Dorsett and Worton attempted to get away, but found Wolstenholme an impassable barrier. The ball was carried across the field, and Brearley sounded Webb with a very swift ground shot. The Throstles had not so far made any serious attack, and Abbott checked a determined effort of Buck and McLean to get off on the right, and soon after Settle missed a rather good opening and the leather went behind before Sharp could get up. Operations continued in Brum quarters, but the efforts of the Blues were not attended with much luck, though they had most decidedly the best of matters, and were always dangerous. A free kick against Everton led to a peculiar ending, inasmuch as the home team finishing the move by scoring a fine goal. It was thus; -The free kick was no sooner taken than Abbott captured the sphere and passed out to the left. One or two touches ensued, and then  Settle tipped the ball into the centre, where Brearley fastened on, sprinted half a dozen yards, and then sent a very low shot right into the net, this occurring after about twelve minutes play, during which time the Throstles had never been able to attack once and, in fact, had scarcely obtained a foothold in the Everton territory. On the restart Settle found a clear course, but he used only poor judgment, and shot ineffectively from a distance, the leather being comfortably handled by Webb. After the visitors’ right had failed to get away, owing to the close attention of Booth, Settle and Brearley opened up a well-maintained attack on the West Bromwich citadel, which resulted in a corner, from which a regular fusillade emanated, and only the most desperate efforts of Stevenson, Adams, and Kifford staved off a second disaster. Soon a corner accrued to the Throstles on Kitchen’s left, but it was badly taken. Buck next put in a smart run until his progress was pluckily impeded by Balmer. Soon afterwards the Staffordshire men went down in full force, working wonderfully well from left to right during the journey, but at the finish Buck only managed to threaten the Liverpool goal, Balmer coming to the rescue in gallant style. Some rapid passages ensued in midfield, but here eventually the Everton halves prevailed, and the home quintet bounded to the front. Before reaching shooting distance, however, a foul was given against West Bromwich, from which Settle shot in, and Wedd answered wits a brilliant save. The visitors quickly retaliated, and Mclean shot across the goal mouth, following which Lee came with a bound and nearly managed to beat Kitchen, who managed to save at the second attempt. After twenty minutes play, it was quite evident that West Bromwich were not playing up to their reputation, and their seemed but little real combination in their front line, which had not once moved off in unison. On the Everton side there was not much to get enthusiastic about in the forward play, but every man was playing doggedly, and they worried the Brummagemdefence without cessation. The visitors half-back line did not seem equal to the strain upon them. When the Throstles front line did wake up, however, they gave Kitchen a very warm time, and on three separate occasions he was fairly and squarely beaten, but the fates were propitious, and his enclosure remained intact. The Evertonians now replied spiritedly to the severe pressure to which Kitchen had been subjected as Wolstenholme punted out from behind the pack, and Brearley was away pretty on his own. Sharp and Taylor were not long in getting in line also, but after the centre had steadied himself for a shot he drove the ball unfortunately on to Adams’s heel, and it bounded out to reach of any of the trio, and before Sharp could get into a favourable position the ball went outside, and the opportunity was lost. The Throstles now went up field, and the home defence failed to make any impression, though Balmer twice over checked Lee and Buck. Then Kitchen made a very bad mistake as finding Lee at close quarters he judged him off-side and made no effort to save a soft shot, which beat him, and equalised. A beautiful burst of passing by Dorsett and Worton carried play into the Everton camp, but after Lee had passed out to the right Abbott jumped in and completely routed the right wingers. Sharp was tumbled into touch when he was making a great run down his wing, shortly after which Rankin was despoiled when he appeared to have a chance of scoring. Some more pressure was put on by Settle and Rankin, with the result that Everton appeared almost certain to score, but Kifford rushed into the thick of the fray and took the ball from Brearley’s toes. A very inspiriting piece of work now came from Sharp, Settle, and Wolstenholme, the latter sending in a grand shot from twenty yards to which Webb responded by calmly kicking the ball out of the goalmouth-a somewhat risky procedure. In this chapter the Blues were unlucky in not finding the net. Operations slowed off for some minutes, as there was no ball forthcoming. Sharp made a lively move down his wing, and for once got the best of Adams, and centred from the goal line with excellent judgment, but Brearley failed to take up the advantage, though Settle took the leather, and sent in a hot shot, which just failed to find the net. Sharp next made a smart dash for the ball, but only to find that the referee objected. From this point West Bromwich held their opponents and attacked continuously until within a couple of minutes of half-time, when Rankin broke away and shot well for goal, and, owing to Kifford’s efforts to save the situation, Webb nearly came to grief, but he managed to scrape through, and finally Rankin put the ball outside. Afterwards honours were easy, as was the state of the game at the interval, when the score was 1-1.
Half-time score;- Everton 1 goal, West Bromwich Albion 1 goal.
EVERTON WIN EASILY
During the first half of the initial moiety the visitors made such a feeble show that victory seemed assured to the Blues, but when once the West Bromwich forwards fairly awoke to a sense of their responsibilities they developed great dash and determination, and pushed home every advantage up to the hilt. Crelly was frequently beaten and Balmer in difficulties though they responded gamely to remarkably heavy attacks from the champions. Kitchen was also frequently puzzled, though on the whole he played a very watching game, but the goal he allowed Lee to score was certainly quite unjustifiable. When once Hadley fairly got Sharp’s measure he proved a veritable thorn in his side and effectually stopped him working with Taylor. It was a most interesting half, with honours fairly divided, and the ultimate issue fairly left hanging in the balance. Lee restarted, and after a few exchanges the  Evertonians went to the front, Rankin making a strong run, and having a great struggle with Kifford. Eventually the ball was sent over to the right, from which point Sharp shot across the goalmouth, and just afterwards Settle struck the goalpost with a sharp shot. The players now commenced to find a difficulty in keeping their feet but the home contingent seemed to be the better in this respect, and succeeded in keeping their opponents penned in their own quarters. Adams and Hadley each succeeded in beating the homesters off time after time, but the Evertonians would not be denied and as soon as they were checked they returned to the attack with much persistency. This made the play of a very exciting nature, and the spectators kept cheering on the Evertonians, who were at last awarded with another goal. Abbott tied the Throstles in a net, and gave to Taylor, who rendered useful service, and then passed to Settle, who soon had the ball in the net, giving Everton the lead amid a scene of great enthusiasm. This goal, which once more put the Blues in front, was the result of work worthy the highest traditions of Everton, and the work was of such high class, and the determination of the forwards so keen, that the crowd fairly held its breath until the climax was reached by Settle’s magnificent drive. The Throstles responded with a smart visit to the home territory, but a desperate effort to pierce the defence proved unsuccessful, and Wolstenholme sent the leather well forward, when Rankin put it across to Brearley, and he cleverly disposed of the attention of Adams, and despatched a roaster to Webb at close quarters, the custodian proving equal to the call on his vigilance. Rankin next gave a taste of his speed, and wound up with a perfect centre, which Nurse cleared before Taylor could get at it. Soon after he sent in a still cleverer shot, which Webb handled. Rankin had been responsible for some excellent work, which resulted in fine opening. After he had beaten Kifford he stumbled inside the penalty line, and it looked as though he had been hipped. A penalty claim was disregarded, however, and Brearley soon put in a fine header, which Webb smartly fisted out, but the watchful Wolstenholme was waiting some distance from goal, and cleverly dropped the ball over the heads of the ruck before Webb had received. The Throstles’ custodian once more experienced defeat.
Final Result. Everton 3 goals, West Bromwich Albion 1 goal.

LEAGUE LEADERS BEATEN.
Lancashire Evening Post - Monday 15 December 1902
Everton's defeat of the League leaders represented good performance. The whole of the Good!son brigade played pretty well, but the outstanding feature (says Perseus ”), was the work of the experimental left wing, Settle and Rankin. The former was, of course, in his usual position as inside left, but the latter had hitherto been looked upon in the light of reserve to Sharp at outside right. On Saturday against the Albion he appeared on the other extreme, and played a first rate game, running swiftly, controlling the ball cleverly, and finishing strongly; he sometimes shot, however, when should have centred. But the man of the whole 22 was Settle, master in making openings; he gave a lovely display. Everton had Brearley centre and Taylor was brought from half to insjde right, Wolstenholme making happy reappearance in the intermediate line. Crelly did not impress one greatly; still he played a fair game, and there was no absolutely weak spot in the eleven. Albion performed effectively at one point, but early in the second half Everton asserted their superiority, and had the game well won before Buck and Dorsett retired injured. Stevenson received nasty knock late in the first half, and did not show his best form. Buck was the smartest forward, until was irriared, dribbling smartly. In defence Kifford and Webb were not too sound.

THE “THROSTLES” WINGED
Athletic News - Monday 15 December 1902
By Harricus
At last West Bromwich Albion have met with their third defeat. Since October 11 they have had a rare run of success, securing 15 out of a possible 16 points, with a goal average 17—6, three of the latter being secured by Blackburn Rovers at West Bromwich. Their last defeat was from Liverpool at home, and as Everton people are of the opinion that they can accomplish anything that their rivals may do, seeing that it is three seasons since Liverpool beat them in a League match, it was but natural for them to assume that the team would lower the colours of the leaders on their visit to Goodison Park on Saturday. And they did, for the score at the finish was in 3-1 in favour of Everton, much to the gratification of the huge assembly, though there were many Brums amongst the crowd of some 16,000. Of course the defeat was bound to come sooner or later, for the Albion have been playing a series of hard Cup matches in addition League games as they have annexed one trophy and been beaten in the final of two others. One result of these games is that some of the players have been injured, Simmons being an absentee at Goodison Park, while during the match Buck and Dorsett had to leave the ground, one of them on the back of Everton’s trainer, Elliott, the old Scotch player, the result being that the Albion had but nine men for a part of the second half, and finished up with nine. Too much, however, must not be made of the fact of their shorthandedness, for even before Buck and Dorsett left, Everton were far and away the better team, and the presence of these players would have made no difference to the result. As a matter of fact, the game degenerated, and the concluding stages were not of a very high standard. The fact that Everton were well ahead in the matter of goals, and that in the face of the one back game, their efforts were usually frustrated, they took matters pretty comfortably, while on the other hand the Albion, who with eleven men had fallen away completely, evidently thought that their chances of scoring with nine men would infinitely less. Thus the weakened forces also eased their efforts.
A HARD FIRST HALF
The game opened as though there was going to be a rare struggle for supremacy, yet though Everton were playing against a stiffest wind, they the first to score, and not long about it either, for only about ten minutes had passed when Brearley opened their account. They continued to play up splendidly, but the visitors, too, were determined, with the result that the game was very interesting to watch. Webb, however, had far more work to do than his vis-à-vis, but about fifteen minutes before the interval Lee got in a shot which beat Kitchen, and thus matters stood at the interval. Less than five minutes of the second half had passed, however, when Settle placed Everton ahead again with one of his very best shots, which nearly knocked Webb through his goal. The Albion tried to make headway, but Wolstenholme, Booth, and Abbott somehow objected to their rushing in to the backs, and when Wolstenholme got the third point the game was practically over, with the Albion a well-beaten side. WHY THE ALBION LOST
They lost because they met a better side on the day. There were contributory causes, of course, and the chief was state of the ground, which was in a heavy condition, hard underneath and greasy on top. The going was certainly too heavy for them, there being one or two light-weights the attack, while the backs seemed to lose control of themselves entirely on the slippery turf. Then again there was the fact that they finished the game with but nine men. I do not; however, set much store on this latter fact, they were well before then, for even in the first half when they had the wind behind them my opinion was that Everton were the better side. They certainly were if the work involved on the goalkeeper's is any criterion. I must confess I was disappointed with the all-round display of the Albion. I had looked forward with keenness to my first view of them this season, and it is possible I expected too much of them from their League record. Anyhow, such play as they gave on Saturday will not win the championship, particularly if Buck and Dorsett join Simmons on the injured list. These are the extenuating circumstances which must be felt for the team.
A SUCCESSFUL REARRNAGEMENT
I don’t KNOW what circumstances contributed to the rearrangement of the Everton forwards, but only Jack Sharp retained the same position as when I saw the team.  Brearley was put in the centre, and Rankin at outside left, Taylor being move up from the half-backs.  They were certainly successful, for a set of forwards who can score three goals in ninety minutes should win a good many games for their club. I don’t know what position Rankin should have, but at outside left he certainly would retain his place in the team. He has an inclination to lay off-side, a trait generally with the Everton’s attackers, but one reason was that the Albion backs in the first half played well up the field. In the second half they were only too glad to stick to their own quarters. Of course Rankin had an excellent partner in  Settle, who is as good as ever after his long rest,  while Taylor proved his versatility by a sound display. The half-backs were perhaps the strong part of the team. They did not allow the visiting forwards to get very dangerous, and as in tackling, so too in fielding, they were all that could be desired. Half-backs who play the game are worth an extra forward, and while all did well I was particularly pleased to vote the revival of Wolstenholme, who seemed to have lost his strength earlier in season. The defence of Balmer, Crelley, and Kitchen was good enough if not particularly brilliant, though Balmer seldom lost the ball when he went for it.
They were not very inspiring, but as I have said it was not their day, and I had possibly expected too much.  Webb is a tall goalkeeper, too tall it might be said, for his arms were too far from the ground to deal with low shots as a rule.  The first duty of a goalkeeper is to stop shots from reaching the net.  He does that, but in a style which is not admirable.  When he cannot get down to them, for instance, he kicks at the ball.  This may be following the traditions of his predecessors Roberts and Reader, but it is not a safe method.  Then Kiflord at back was very slow, and could scarcely do the right thing as the ground was churned up.  Adams was little better, and as a pair one could hardly associate them with a club at the top of the table.  Stevenson was another player who disappointed me.  I last saw him as a centre forward at Preston, but was led to believe that he had no superior as a centre half.  Well, he was not to be compared with Tom Booth on Saturday.  Hadley worked quietly, and rather effectively, and Nurse did his best but he had a strong wind to face.  Although disappointing, like the rest of the team, I rather fancy that the forwards on the light ground would be a smart lot.  They showed signs of it on Saturday, but the stickness of the pitch did not allow them to bang the ball about and follow it.  Dorsett and Worton made up a good wing, the outside man being possessed of a good turn o speed, while Worton has a good idea how the game should be played.  Everton; Kitchen; Balmer and Crelley; Wolstenholme, Booth (Captain), and Abbott; Sharp, Taylor, Brearley, Settle, and Rankin.  West Bromwich Albion; Webb; Kilford, and Adams; Nurse, Stevenson, and Hadley; Mclean, Buck, Lee, Worton, and Dorsett.  Referee; Mr. N. Whittaker. London. 

EVERTON’S CLEVER VICTORY
Athletic News - Monday 15 December 1902
By Junius
The Everton directors have been trying a series of experiments with their forward line for some few weeks, but on  Saturday they eclipsed themselves, for a front rank was selected to do duty against the West Bromwich, and before the day arrived to give it a trial a wholesale rearrangement was decided upon. The vaticinations, therefore, which appeared in the morning papers were rendered absolutely nonsensical, and, I think, the prophets have substantial grounds for feeling aggrieved. This is not the first time that an official selection has been found to be an entirely erroneous, one when the teams came to take the field, and there appears to be something inexplicably dilatory in the matter, which requires attention. After this little growl, let me congratulate Everton on their splendid victory over the League leaders. Not only were the Album beaten, but on the play they were a decidedly inferior side. One of successes of the game was Rankin, who played on the outside left for the first time in a League match this season. In the opening half he spoiled much good work by injudicious shooting near goal, when the rest of the front line were left unmarked, but in the second moiety he avoided this mistake, and gave a capital all-round display. Brearley was again in the centre, and it is safe to assert that if this pair are allowed to remain in their respective positions they will undoubtedly be seen to even greater advantage. To drop a player one week and reinstate him in the same post a few days later is not the way to encourage man, be he ever so capable. Wolstenholme was tried for the first time, also, this season, as right-half, and he likewise performed most creditably. He displaced Taylor, who was brought inside-right to Sharp, and whatever failings the old Dumbarton player showed in his last years accustomed position one cannot get away from the fact that the club possesses no more genuine trier. 

HUGH GRIFFITHS
Athletic News - Monday 15 December 1902
Prominent Liverpool Amateur
By Junius
The subject of our sketch this week is Hugh  Griffiths, captain of the Liverpool Leek F.C., and one of the best known amateurs in the district having for over fifteen years been connected with the sport.  His first club was Priory, but on the formation of the Coburg F.C., over a dozen years ago, he attained himself to the new organization.  The amalgamation of Cobury with the Oakfield F.C, followed, under the title of the Casual’s, and although his three elder brothers were members of the Leek Club.  Griffiths remained with the Causals until two seasons ago, when he went over and joined the other members of his family.  How Leek value his services may be judged from the fact that he was selected captain for the present season, a position for which his experience and abilities eminently fit him.  He can always be relied upon as a certain starter – and in amateur circles this quality alone is worthy of notable mention – for during the last eight seasons he has only disappointed his club on  two occasions when selected for League matches, a record which will require some beating.  As an outside-right he is very tricky, has great command over the ball, and a rattling good shot.  He often assisted the now defunct Bootle club when in the hey-day of its fame and has also donned the Everton colours on occasionally.  During his long career he has been the recipient of nearly all the honours that can fall to a local amateur.  He has been selected by the Liverpool and District F.A for their representative matches and has gained medals in the following competitions;- Lancashire (Amateur), Liverpool and District Junior Cup.  Liverpool and District Combination, Minor Cup, llanrwst and St. St. Asaph tournaments.  Although thirty years of age, he is still as enthusiastic as ever, and whilst a vigorous players he has the reputation of being one of the most honorable of opponents.  He is 5ft 6ins, in height, turning the scale at 13st 7lb, and it may safely be said that few amateur players in this district can boast a wider experience or age more deeply respected. 

EVERTON 3 WEST BROMWICH ALBION 1
December 15, 1902. The Liverpool Courier
Albion down to nine men, after Everton scored third goal.
The visit of the Throstles to Goodison-park on Saturday was peculiarly attractive seeing that after a season in the second Division, they were the leaders in the first Division. The Everton team underwent considerable alteration from the side beaten by Sheffield Wednesday. While the only absentee on the Albion side was Simmons. There were 12,000 people present when the teams faced as follows: - Everton: - Kitchen, goal, Balmer, and Crelly, backs, Wolstenholmes, Booth (captain) and Abbott, half-backs, Sharp, Taylor, Brearley, Settle and Rankin, forwards. West Bromwich Albion: - Webb goal, Kifford, and Adams, backs, Nurse, Stevenson, and Hadley, half-backs, McLean Buck Lee, Worton, and Dorsett forwards. Referee N.Whittaker. Everton lost the toss, and Brearley kicked off the home right at once taking up the attack on the right. Sharp got the better of Adams close in, and centred, but this shot was charged down, while a moment later Webb saved splendidly from the Everton outside right. The Throstle were kept in their own half, the home lot showing smart tactics Wolstenholmes from long range dropped the ball into the hands of Webb, and then Sharp put in a stinging shot which just went the wrong side of the upright. After a brief incursion by the Throstles the Everton left wing came to the front, Settle and Rankin being conspicuous. This persistent pressure was rewarded after a little more than ten minutes play. The ball was beautifully worked down by Settle, who beat two opponents, and parted at the opportune moment to Brearley, who with his left foot shot the ball past Webb, amid terrific cheering. This success so well deserved stimulated Everton to further exertions. Indeed at this stage there was only one team in it. Kitchen's position so far having been a sinecure. Rankin forced a corner, and following this there were some exciting exchanges in the vicinity of the Albion goal. The ball was banged in towards goal, time after time, but on each occasion, one of the defending side was in the way. At last the visitors obtained a corner, but this was placed behind, and once again Everton were the aggressors, though the Albion were now seen to better advantage, Lee put in a good run, and just when about to shoot Balmer rushed up and took the ball from his toe. Next a cross from Dorsett yields a corner, and after Hadley had shot outside the game was transferred to the other end. As the result of smart and effective combination Settle found himself in a position for a shot, but was brought down by Kifford. Fortunately for the visitors the offence occurred a few yards outside the penalty line. As it was the free kick almost led to the downfall of the Throstles goal, for it was only by a wonderful effort that Webb saved a terrific shot from Settle. Immediately afterwards Kitchen was called upon, and at this period the game was intensely interesting fine efforts being made by both sets of forwards. From one of their determined attacks the Albion were rewarded with an equalising goal. The ball was passed from wing to wing until Nurse gave to Lee, who shot past Kitchen, while the latter was apparently appealing for offside. The referee, however, awarded a goal. Following even play, Rankin ran down with the other forwards, but instead of passing, he shot and a glorious chance was lost. Kitchen managed to clear a high bouncing shot from Nurse, and with each side attacking in turn the interest of the spectators was fully maintained. Just before the interval, Everton made a determined attack on the Albion goal, Webb saving marvelously from Rankin. The ball hovered near the post for some seconds, several shots being sent in, but eventually Rankin drove the ball outside. When the whistle blew for the interval the ball was in the Albion half. Half-time Everton 1, West Bromwich Albion 1. The light was not too good when the game was resumed, before 16,000 people. Right from the start the ball was run down by Rankin and crossed by Settle to Sharp, who had a fine opening, which he failed to turn to account. Still the Evertonians were as desperately in earnest as they were in the opening movements of the previous half. Balmer got a terrific shot from long range, which Webb kicked away, and then Settle had the illuck to bang the ball against the upright. There was no resisting the magnificent efforts of the home forwards, and the Albion goal succumbed. Abbott centred, Booth tipped the ball on a little, and Settle scored with a shot, which gave Webb no chance. Rankin's sprinting powers were exceedingly useful to his side, and after one fine run, he gained a hearty round of applause for a splendid oblique shot from a difficult position. Webb had his hands full, and only partially saving from Brearley, Wolstenholme beat him for a third time. The Albion for a change were being completely outplayed, and they were lucky in escaping further disaster. Putting forth a great effort they invaded Everton's half, but Kitchen was not troubled. Dorsett and Buck afterwards left the field injured, and the visitors being left with only nine men, the game was lost much of its interest. Result Everton 3, goals, West Bromwich Albion1.

HEYWOOD 2 EVERTON RESERVES 2
December 15, 1902. The Liverpool Courier
Lancashire Combination (Game 14)
At Heywood. The home side showed up best at the start, and Joyce was beaten this being the only point in the first portion. In the second half Heywood again scored, and then Bowman retired hurt. Chadwick and Russell, however, put on goals for Everton, and the game end in a draw of 2 goals each. Everton: - Joyce, goal, Henderson, and W Wildman, backs, Clark J Russell, and TC Chadwick, half-backs, Wolfe, Boardman, Bowman Makepeace, and Dilly, forwards.

EVERTON REVIEW
December 15, 1902. The Liverpool Mercury
The visit of West Bromwich to Goodison Park proved a rare attraction, for the midlanders, who at present deservedly head the League table, had not lost a League match since October 11, when Liverpool beat them at home. Everton made several alterations in the team originally selected to do duty. Rankin playing outside left Brearley in the centre again while Taylor was brought into the front rank to partner Sharp, which let in Wolstenholmes at right half. Whatever, be the reason, there is no getting away from the fact that Everton gave a really fine display of football, outplaying their opponents at all points of the game and that their victory did not reach even greater proportions is due to a couple of unaccountable blinders by Taylor and Brearley, each of whom missed an open goal in the last ten minutes. Compared with Everton's exhibition at Owleton it was difficult to imagine that such a change in quality of play could be possible within a week, but here were the almost invincible Albion players completely vanquished by a side that had undergone a like experience only seven days before. Such irreconcilable deeds may be interesting to those who delight in pointing out the unreliability of football form, but it is scarcely the mode of procedure necessary to inspire confidence in the breasts of a club's supporters. It was early evident that the home players were in they best humours, for on the heavy ground they kept their opponents penned in their own quarter for over twenty minutes during which time the visitors scarcely got over the half-way line. This unceasing pressure was rewarded by a fine goal from Brearley, though the opening for the same was due to some excellent work by Settle, who baffled three opponents before giving his centre the pass. Then did the Albion display a little of that form which has gained for them renown this season, the ball travelling from wing to wing in orthodox West Bromwich style, though the equalising goal should have been stopped by Kitchen, who appeared to be claiming for offside, what time the leather sailed into the netting. For a time the visitors seemed like getting the lead, but just before the interval Everton put on extreme pressure, and Webb's cleverness alone-averted disaster.

Maintaining the brilliance of their attack on restarting the Albion goal in five minutes had escaped wonderfully as many times when Settle scored the second point, and after this reverse the West Bromwich star began to wane and gradually died out. The visitors first of all lost the service of Buck, and to add to their troubles, Wolstenholmes gained the third goal; while a few minutes later Dorsett was hurt in a collision with Balmer, and had to be carried off. With the one back tactics adopted, Everton singularly failed to adapt themselves to the conditions, but Brearley ran clean though, and likewise Taylor each of whom, however, was beautifully bluffed out of what should have been a certain goal by the Albion custodian. Everton gave a really capital exhibition in every department, but it was in the forward division where the greatest improvement was manifested. Brearley is not what is often glibly termed an ideal centre, but there is no getting away from the fact that he is a rare trier and on the season's form a long way superior to any player Everton have tried in this onerous position. When he can once tumble to the intricacies of the artist at inside left-Settle-and evolve on similar lines, Everton will possess a very useful centre forward. Rankin was one of the most prominent members of the front rank, and deserves an extended trial. In the first half he spoiled must good work by shooting recklessly when a timely pass to his comrades who were waiting with an almost open goal to receive the ball, would have been the correct course to adopt; but in the second moiety he discarded these useless tactics and the efficiency of his work increasing 50 per cent in value. His speed proved of great service, whilst his centres particularly after the interval, were exceedingly clever. Settle was likewise in fine trim, and with such a partner a player must aline if he has any football in him. Taylor was erratic in his passing, and Sharp after opening well was seldom in evidence after the interval. The halves were, as usual, always on the ball, and kept the front line fully employed. Wolstenholme made a most successful reappearance, and signalled the same by scoring a goal. Booth and Abbott were prominent alike in tackling and placing and no doubt the inefficiency of the Abbott front rank-otherwise such a dangerous quintet-was due to the sound work displayed by the trio of halves. Further behind Balmer was seen to great advantage and Crelly gave evidence of continued improvement, the defence in this department being so stubborn that Kitchen had little to do.

The Albion failed to impress one as a side likely to win the League Championship, though they were handicapped somewhat in the second half, when they had to battle with weakened resources. The left wing was the most dangerous part of their forward division, and it was rather curious that this pair should have to leave the held owing to injuries. Dorsett ran and centred finely, while Buck gave him every chance of displaying his sbility. Worton is a sturdy forwards, but doubtless the team is beginning to feet the strain of four months football, and the incentive offered to opponents to bring about their discomfiture. At half Hadley was the most conspicuous figure, though Nurse accomplished a vast amount of steady work, especially when his side was dimished in numbers. The two backs were not particularly noticeable, but Webb made some capital saves, and it was due to his judicious work that prevented his charge being captured when he alone faced the enemy. With the ball heavy and greasy, the custodian task was rendered doubly difficult, and he came out of the ordeal most creditably. Everton have only to reproduce the form display in this match to quickly increase their number of points, and if it be deemed advisable to gave the same combination another opportunity of showing its worth, Notts County may this week end have their victorious career checked also.

REFEREE’S
Athletic News – Monday 15 December 1902
MR. T. KIRKHAM
Mr. T. Kirkham, of Burslem, is the gentleman who referred the last English Cup final, and an onerous task this proved to be. We well remember his debut as a referee, when we unhesitatingly placed him in the first class, and we have since had no reason to alter our opinion of his abilities. He commenced his career as a referee in 1891, but up to 1897 his energies were restricted to purely local matches. In the latter year Port Vale nominated him as League linesman, and twelve months later he moved a step higher, so that he is one of the later generation of League men. One engagement which was greatly the means of furthering his advances was brought about through Mr. Aaron Scragg being unable to officiate at Bury against Sheffield United, when the latter club was in possession of a fine sequence of League victories and draws. Mr. Kirkham acquitted himself so creditably that his talents commanded further recognition. Mr. Kirkham has been a football enthusiast from boyhood, and commenced playing with the village club of Milton, where he served his probation as a pupil teacher, for Mr. Kirkham is another of the large number of schoolmasters who devote Saturdays to football refereeing. He was only sixteen when he was induced to throw in his lot with Burslem Port Vale, and ever since he has had a warm side for the Vale. For about a dozen years he has been engaged at Granville Board School, with which are connected day and night school football teams. These classes have turned out several Leaguers for Stoke and Port Vale. T. Holford, Stoke’s present centre half-back, is one of Mr. Kirkham’s school proteges and is, in addition, his brother-in-law. The subject of this sketch is of a reserved nature, but for all that he is very keen on the game, and has been a member of the Staffordshire Association for seven years, chairman of the North Staffordshire Combination, and vice-president of the Hanley and District Association, and “Staffordshire Sentinel” Cup Competition. Mr. Tom Kirkham is one of our most painstaking, accurate, and conscientious officials. Football folk may not always see eye to eye with him, but they always respect the man and his work.
Mr. John B. Brodie
We extend our sympathy to Mr. John B. Brodie, the referee and old international, on the death of his wife. She had been an invalid for over three years, and had borne her suffering with great fortitude. The end had been expected for some time. Mr. Brodie could not referee at Sunderland on Saturday in consequence of this bereavement.

SATUURDAY’S FOOTBALL
Liverpool Daily Post - Monday 15 December 1902
EVERTON IN FORM
The Goodison Park brigade on Saturday maintained their reputation for achieving sensational victories when least expected. The most sanguine partisan could find little grounds for looking forward to the downfall of West Bromwich Albion, whose performances so far this season have been consistent and highly meritorious. At the same time their success has been so extraordinary as to suggest that the turning of the tide could not be long deferred, and Everton deserve hearty congratulations on bringing the champions to their knees in such a decisive fashion. How Everton did the trick would be difficult to correctly explain, except by saying that the Throstles were well beaten at their own game. The home forwards and halves won the game by sheer hard work. Their tenacity almost paralysed the West Bromwich halves. At any rate, the Throstles utterly failed for twenty minutes to make a move of importance, and for fifteen minutes certainly the Blue quintet were operating with the most vigour in front of Webb. Brearley was on trial in the centre, and after ten minutes’ pegging away at close quarters he piloted the leather into the net. Even this reverse failed to stimulate the visitors, and Everton ought to have scored twice in the next ten minutes. Amazement was written on every face at the inertia of the champions, and great was the wonderment as to how they had gained their exalted position. Suddenly the Throstles found their wings, and for twenty five minutes they showed something like their true form. They made many brilliant dashes up the wing, and at times the Everton defence was pulverised, and rank bad luck alone prevented their intrusion into Kitchen’s sanctum. During this bombardment the Goodison custodian appeared at times bewildered at the fierceness of the attack, but he seemed to bear a charmed life. Ultimately he lost his head, it may have been through the strain of the prolonged attack; at any rate he allowed Lee to put the sphere past him without the slightest effort to save, and the only excuse was that he though him offside. West Bromwich changed sides with everything in their favour, and a keen struggle for supremacy was looked forward to in the concluding half. It never came, however, as Settle very soon put the Blues in front, and Wolstenholme added a third goal with excellent judgement. Dorrett and Buck retired with injuries, and the one-back system was employed. The champions were outplayed and outstayed from beginning to end, and it was really only in the latter part of the first half that they were ever on terms with the victors. It will be very surprising if the Throstles wind up the season as gloriously as they commenced.

THE DEFEAT OF THE ALBION
Birmingham Mail - Monday 15 December 1902
It was on October 11th that Liverpool went to the Hawthorns and inflicted an unexpected defeat upon West Bromwich Albion, and since then the Midland club had not met with a reverse until Saturday. Then, however, they went to Goodison Park, and Everton, who were defeated at West Bromwich on the opening day of the season, took ample revenge, for they ran out the winners of an interesting game by 3-1. It was a victory which, judging from what I learn from those who saw the match, was thoroughly deserved. In the first half Everton had considerably the best of matters, but could only cross over on equal terms. Afterwards, however, they asserted their superiority, and had established a good lead before the visitors lost the services of their speedy outside left. Everton have been playing very erratically this season, but the Albion seem to have caught them at their best, and the result was defeat. When they are in a winning humour the Lancashire team are a very dangerous set indeed. When they are off colour they are poor indeed. The re-instatement of Wolstenholme seems to have brought about a decided improvement in the half-back line, and Settle and Sharp were in a very dangerous mood. In fact, the whole front line of the home team played excellently, and they were well backed up by the half-backs. Everton did not have matters all their own way, but when the Albion did get away they were met by a most resolute defence. For the League leaders Webb kept goal splendidly, and he had some very stiff shots to negotiate. Those that beat him he could not be blamed for letting through. Adams was the best of a sound pair of backs, and in the half-backs line Hedley was easily the best, and he gave Sharp a great deal of trouble. All through he played a great game and showed what a fine player he is. In the front line Buck and Mclean were the most prominent, although Dorsett put in some fine sprints and centres before he was injured. Taking the game as a whole the Albion were beaten on their merits. All honours to the that they have sustained such a splendid sequence of successes before.

EVERTON v  WEST BROMWICH ALBION
Liverpool Mercury - Monday 15 December 1902
In dull weather, before 15,000 spectators, this League match was plated at Goodison Park. The Albion were without Simmons and Everton introduced Wolstenholme and Rankin. In the early stages Everton pressed continuously, and Brearley scored from Settle’s pass. Albion played better and were rewarded with an equalising goal from Lee. Everton had the bulk of the attack, but could not score.
Half-time; Everton 1; Albion 1.
Everton played brilliant football on resuming, and Settle after striking the upright, defeated Webb. Albion rarely attacked, and, after sustained pressure, Wolstenholme obtained a third goal. Afterwards Dorsett and Buck retired injured, and Albion having only nice men, there was not much interest in the remaining play. Taylor and Brearley missed open goals near the finish.
Result- Everton 3 West Bromwich Albion 1.
Everton.- Kitchen, goal; W. Balmer and Crelly, backs; Wolstenholme, Booth (Captain), and Abbott, half-backs; Sharp, Taylor, Brearley, Settle, and Rankin, forwards.
West Bromwich Albion;- Webb, goal; Kifford and Adams, backs; Nurse, Stevenson, and Hadley, half-backs; McLean, Buck, Lee, Worton, and Dorsett, forwards. Referee; Mr. N. Whittaker.

EVERTON v.  WEST BROMWICH ALBION
Liverpool Daily Post - Monday 15 December 1902
Played at Goodison Park, about 15,000 spectators being present. Teams;-
Everton.- Kitchen, goal; W. Balmer and Crelly, backs; Wolstenholme, Booth (Captain), and Abbott, half-backs; Sharp, Taylor, Brearley, Settle, and Rankin, forwards.
West Bromwich Albion;- Webb, goal; Kifford and Adams, backs; Nurse, Stevenson, and Hadley, half-backs; McLean, Buck, Lee, Worton, and Dorsett, forwards.
Referee, Mr. N.W. Whittaker. Linesmen, Messrs. Downs, and Cartnell.
The initial movement was entrusted to Brearley, and the Blues made a promising incursion, as Adams had to pass back to Webb under pressure, and the Throstles twice put the leather outside to escape the attentions of the Everton right. Stevenson attempted to get his side out of difficulties, but Wolstenholme returned the leather, and Sharp emerged victorious from a duel with Hadley, and shot the ball into the centre, but there was no one to receive it, and the sphere went behind. A free kick against Everton led to a peculiar ending, inasmuch as the home team finished the move by scoring a fine goal. It was thus;- The free kick was no sooner taken than Abbott captured the sphere and passed out to the left. One or two touches ensued, and then Settle tipped the ball in the centre, where Brearley fastened on, sprinted half a dozen yards, and then sent a very low shot right into the net, this occurring after about twelve minutes’ play, during which time the Throstles had never been able to attack once, Brearley opened up a well-maintained attack on the West Bromwich citadel, which resulted in a corner, from which a regular fusillade emanated, and only the most desperate efforts of Stevenson, Adams, and Kifford staved off a second disaster. The Throstles now sped up field, and the home defence failed to make any impression, though Balmer twice over checked Lee and Buck. Then Kitchen made a very bad mistake, as finding Lee at close quarters he judged him offside, and made no effort to save a soft shot, which beat him, and equalised. Operations slowed off for some minutes, as there was no ball forthcoming. Sharp made a lively move down his wing, and for once got the best of Adams, and centred from the goal line with excellent judgement, but Brearley failed to take up the advantage, though Settle took the leather, and sent in a hot shot, which just failed to find the net. Sharp next made a smart dash for the ball, but only to find that the referee objected. From this point West Bromwich held their opponents, and attacked continuously until within a couple of minutes of half-time, when Rankin broke away and shot well for goal, and, owing to Kifford’s efforts to save the situation, Webb nearly came to grief, but he managed to scrape through, and finally Rankin put the ball outside. Afterwards honours were easy, as was the state of the game at the interval, when the score was 1-1. Lee restarted, and after a few exchanges the Evertonians went to the front. Rankin making a strong run, and having a great struggle with Kifford. Abbott tied the Throstles in a knot and gave to Taylor, who rendered useful service, and then passed to Settle, who soon had the ball in the net, giving Everton the lead amid a scene of great enthusiasm. This goal, which once more put the Blues in front, was the result of work worthy the highest traditions of Everton. Rankin gave a taste of his speed, and wound up with a perfect centre, which Nurse cleared before Taylor could get at it. Soon after he sent in a still cleverer shot, which Webb handled. Rankin had been responsible for some excellent work, which resulted in fine opening. After he had beaten Kifford he stumbled inside the penalty line, and it looked as though he had been hipped. A penalty claim was disregarded, however, and Brearley soon put in a fine header, which Webb smartly fisted out, but the watchful Wolstenholme was waiting some distance from goal, and cleverly dropped the ball over the heads of the ruck before Webb had recovered the Throstles’ custodian once more experiencing defeat. Final result; Everton 3 goals, West Bromwich Albion 1.

CUP DRAW
Liverpool Daily Post - Tuesday 16 December 1902
Everton v Portsmouth in the F.A Cup at Goodison Park
Sanction was given for a benefit match by Everton F.C., for Balmer and Wolstenholme.

DEATH OF A WELL-KNOWN PUBLICAN
Liverpool Daily Post - Wednesday 17 December 1902
The sad news of the sudden and totally unexpected death of Willie Thornton, the manager of the Winslow Hotel, opposite the Everton Football enclosure, Goodison-road, will come as a great shock to his many friends in Liverpool. The deceased, who was a comparatively young man, was apparently in the best of health on Saturday night, but he was suddenly taken ill the following morning. Pneumonia supervened, and the end came shortly after seven o’clock last evening. He leaves a wife and one child. Mr. Thornton had been at the Winslow Hotel about five years, and he was well-known in football circles.

PERTAINING TO PROMINENT PLAYERS.
Lancashire Evening Post - Saturday 20 December 1902
(BY PERSEUS.”)
Settle's exhibition at the Everton-Albion game at Goodison emphasised again the super-excellence of this fine little fellow. How quick he is in every movement—nippy as we say in football parlance; and he preserves such a wonderful degree of coolness that he never gets himself into knot. Many men who are notably sharp and clever in point of footwork lose their value through getting mixed up, and when the point for parting with the ball arrives they have little idea as to the disposition of their fellows. Settle very seldom loses any of his splendid sang friod; and carrying in his eye the positions of his comrades he turns his fine footwork and electric like dodging to fullest advantages, knowing when and where to pass the ball and when to shoot. He ability to initiate attacks by a skilful dribble in which he draws his opponents and then transfers to a friendly foot is altogther exceptionally; and goalkeepers at least are acquainted by painful experience with the sharply-taken shot with which he can finish a movement. He may not be quite such an expert marksman as Bloomer, but he presses pretty closely on the Derby player's heels, and like him can flash the ball in without the laboured preparatory steadying which characterises the lesser lights. This is Settle at his best -Settle very nearly as I saw him against the Throstles. In his early days Bolton allowed him to slip through their fingers. What would the Wanderers give in their present parious conditions to have James Settle, not to mention one of their last year's forwards, Barlow, who has been shinning so brightly in the South. Rankin, who played outside left as Settle's partner, gave a display which made the experiment an unqualified success. If he can maintain the standard which he set up on the occasion, he will come to be recognised as one of the leading left wingers in the League. He is fast, clever in controlling the ball, and can both centre and shoot, inclining, perhaps, overmuch to the latter method of finishing. Of course, he was well served by his experienced colleagues, and he was lucky in finding Kifford off colour; but even with these things in his favour he performed with surprising promise. Brearley, another Evertonian I saw last week, was induced to join th Mersey club largely by the present secretary of North End, Mr. W.E. Bahr, who knew the player personally, and and exerted a good deal of influence in consequence. Brearley was last season engaged with Middlesbrough, and his scoring powers had much to do with the Tees-siders' entry into a First Division, which recalls the fact that he had a hand in the return of Notts County to the select circle. Brearley has moved about the country, having played with Notts, several Southern clubs including Millwall, and with Middlesbrough and Everton. Shooting is rightly reckoned his forte, and he has a happy facility for spinning round sharply and taking a sort of "pivot" shot which comes unexpectedly and therefore with greater danger. He scored in this way against the Albion, when, by the by, he appeared in the centre.
J.D. Taylor is an ideal worker still, as energetic as ever, alwways pegging away with right good will, like another old Dumbarton man -James Stevenson Taylor was never a footballer of superlative skill, but he has always been a real good grafter blessed with fair ability, and he is a very fast shot. The way in which he revels in his work all the way through a game is a lesson to many younger players, but were it not that Everton have Wolstenholme back in the intermediate line, I would sooner see Taylor at half than in the atatck, for his ceaseless activity and strong tackling constitute him a capital breaker up.

TODAYS TEAM NEWS
Liverpool Daily Post - Saturday 20 December 1902
Everton v Notts County.
League match, at Nottingham; Kick-off 2.15.
Everton.- Kitchen, goal; Balmer and Crelly, backs; Wolstenholme, Booth and Abbott, half-backs; Sharp, Taylor, Brearley, Settle, and Rankin, forwards.
Everton Combination v Accrington Stanley.
Lancashire Combination match at Goodison Park; kick-off 2.15.
Everton Combination.- Whitley, goal; Henderson and Wildman, backs; Clark, Russell, and Makepeace, half-backs; Wolfe, Boardman, Bowman, Sheridan, and Dilly, forwards.

FUNERAL OF MR. W.T. THORNTON
Liverpool Mercury - Saturday 20 December 1902
Yesterday afternoon the interment of the late Mr. William Thomas Thornton took place at Anfield Cemetery. The decreased gentleman was well known at the north end of the city, and took a great interest in athletic sports. He was in the best of health a week ago, and his death from pneumonia came as a great shock to his relatives and friends. The chief mourners were Mr. Thornton (widow), Mr. Thornton, sen. (mother), Messrs John Thornton (brother), W. Brooks and E.A Bainbridge (brothers-in-law), E. Bayliss, W. Dickson, W.C. Cuff, O. Carr, T.J. Curwen, F. Brown, J. Carroll, C. Dickinson, and J.S. McArdle. The Rev Joseph Passfield, M.A., vicar of All Souls’ Church, officiated.
Other friends present included Messrs. R.B. Sunter (Threlfall and Co,), W.A. Higginbottom (Allsop and Sons), Francis J. Cox (“Football and Theatrical News”), J. Bond, D.B. Sutherland, M. Gwilliam, C. McMaster, J. Lorimer, W. Parle, R. Parle, G.L. Mead, Robert Jones, G.V. Normington, J. Wilson, G.W. Cartmell, D. Creedon, A. Easton, D. Maclean, H. McGain, T. Ladley, A. Williams, H. Cain, C.A. Wess, G.W. Wagdin, T. Hall, S. Edwards, J. Ryan, F. Hitchin, J. Radford, H. Cave, A. Sykes, T. Swifts, T. Cross, H. Pashby, W. Whitehead, J. Neill, G. Handley, W.H. Nicholson, H. Green, G. Shaw, R. Pemberton, F. Lambert, A. Leslie, J. IIes, J. Hartley, J. Wright, J. Handley, W.E. Caldwell, N. J. Dudley, J. Rogerson, J. Quayle, P. Martin, C.S. Robinson, R. Bibby, C. Taylorson, E. Ford, A.E. Jerome, R. Howe, J. Rodgers, D. Archer, C. Binks, J.G. Dickson, B, Lipson, J. Main, F. Strettell, R.J. Preston, T. Wheffield, T. Murray, R. Cummings, T. Griffiths, B. G. Barnard, T. Trass, A. Pollitt, W. Lawson, A.E. Stroyan, W.A. Nall, G. Stretch, T. Huntley, D. Swift, E.S. Hayden, E.J. Hughes, J. Cairns, J. Jones, A. Bond, J.H. Carr; also (representing the Plough Inn Bowling Club). Messrs T. Cross, W.H. Bowker, T.K. Jones, and W. Palmer, (secretary); Mesdames Balshaw, Curwen, Fisher, and Wright. Floral tributes were sent by the widow, his mother, Mr and Mrs. Bainbridge, Mr. and Mrs. Sullivan, Mr. and Mrs. Carroll, Mr and Mrs McMaster, Mrs. Fisher, Mr. W.C. Cuff, Mr. A.H. Thompson, Mr and Mrs C. Smith, Mr. and Mrs F. Brown, Mr. and Mrs Nicholson, and family, Mrs. Fisher, “Charlie and Albert,” “The members and friends of the Plough Inn Bowling Club,” and a few old friends. Messrs John Waugh and Sons, Liverpool, carried out the funeral arrangements.

NOTTS COUNTY v  EVERTON
Football News (Nottingham) - Saturday 20 December 1902
Here were at least two reasons why this match, which was played at Trent Bridge, Nottingham, this afternoon, was not regarded in any measure as a “soft thing” for the County. They were those.  in the first place, Everton a week ago succeeded in checking the onward rush of the redoubtable West Bromwich Albion team, a feat which in the abstract made them a team to be held in some sort of respect in the following engagement at all events, and, secondly, you will find, if you think for a few moments, or turn up such records you may have other than those of memory, that the men who wear the light blue costume have invariably done well on “the Bridges.” They were here about twelve months ago, when Notts were trying desperately hard, and with little success, to climb on top of a thick streak of bad luck, and Everton were unkind enough to drive another nail home, and no avenged one of the two defeats Notts inflicted upon them the previous season. But the wheel of fortune kept on turning, like the old mill wheel of Liza Lehmann’sand the “Magpies” turn was yet to come; and in April, when Bull and his merry men-they were merry men now- were making such a brilliant and successful effort to keep clear of the “Lower House,” they chewed up the “light blues” at Goodison Park. Notts were hoping to do something of the soft this afternoon.  The “little list” which we look at so anxiously every Saturday night suggested two points for the home strivers, but on paper we had no especial fancy for Everton came over yesterday with a representative lot of troops-the same that drove the “throstles” off-and, as we have previously remarked, they always want a deal of negotiating in Nottingham. Notts were, however, in capital fettle to receive them, having since their last League match had some useful target practice in their games with Oxford University and Clapton. Their sup-run inaugurated in October. Since they were beaten porters were, therefore hopeful that Bull and his comrades would be able to pull through with both points, and so proceed further with the successful run inaugurated in October. Since they were beaten by Newcastle United on October 4th, Notts, had up to to-day played nine matches, won four, and drawn five a distinctly better record than that possessed by the Goodison Parkers, and their friends wanted them to “keep it up,” as the song-poet says. Matches between Notts and Everton were begun in 1887 and in all the teams have met on 25 occasions. Everton have been successful 13 times against Notts, eight, and have scored 50 goals against 34. Bull, owing to the kick he received in the groin at Clapton, was not able to turn out, so Mainman was played at centre half, with McDonald and Jones on other side of him. Everton were the same as against the Albion last week, so the rivals lined out as follows;-
Notts.- H. Pennington, goal; T.G. Prescott and G. Swift, backs; R. Innes, H. Mainman, and E. McDonald, halves; R. Joynes, P. Humphreys, right-wing A.W. Green centre, W. Ross and E. Gee, Left wing.
Everton.- Kitchen, goal; Balmer and Crelly, backs; Wolstenholme, Booth, and Abbott, half-backs; Sharp, Taylor, right wing; Brearley, centre; Settle, and Rankin, left wing.
Referee; Mr. T. Armitt, of Leek.
THE GAME
When the teams took the field at a quarter past two there would not be more than five thousand people present, the thin attendance no doubt being due to the early start. Notts, won the toss, and Brearley kicked off towards the Radcliffe-road goal with a stiffish breeze in his tenth. There was at the outset some trouble with Sharp and Taylor, but McDonald and Swift held them off, and after Green had shot wide from a pass by Humphreys, Wolstenholme again placed his right wing in possession, and slack work on the part of the Notts defence almost let Taylor through. Thanks, however, to his shot being intercepted by Swift’s foot, Pennington had only a mild one to deal with, and in the following moment a dangerous rush by Joynes and Humphreys nearly brought about the downfall of Kitchen’s charge, the Everton custodian being a trifle lucky to get to the ball first. Notts, were not able to keep it up, and from a pass by Balmer, Taylor and Sharp again got on the move, but Swift pulled them up, and the Everton right back also put an end to the services of Ross and Gee. The home players, however, stuck pluckily to their business, and after Kitchen had cleared the leather from Ross, Humphreys caused the burly Abbott to concede a corner, and Kitchen had again to handle. More work was found for the visiting keeper, and then Sharp and Taylor ran round Swift, but Rankin was slow in getting up, and Prescott relieved. Soon after this incident Humphreys opened the scoring for the “magpies” after play had been in progress eleven minutes. It was a curious sort of goal, and difficulty was experienced in telling exactly how it was obtained, but it appeared that Kitchen failed to get the ball away when Gee headed in, and Humphreys after a brief scrimmage got it over the goal line. Excited by this success, Notts, like Oliver Twist, wanted more, and a brisk fusillade was kept up on Kitchen’s charge. The work was nicely balanced between the two wings, and from their centres Crelly, Balmer, and the Everton half-backs were kept busily engaged. They defended splendidly, however, and a fine kick by Balmer eventually saved to relieved the pressure, and Rankin and Settle nicely supported by Abbott, carried play to the other end. Burt a free kick for tripping Humphreys drove them back, and Prescott netted the leather from the place kick, though a goal did not count, because it has not touched a second player in its flight. In the next five minutes or so the theatre of hostilities was the Notts, half of the ground, where some pretty wing play was indulged in by each visiting pair. But more often than not the “blue” finished badly, and this fact, combined with the sound tackling and clever kicking of Prescott and Swift, prevented Pennington from having any serious work on hand, and for the most part he was a spectator of the business. After another brisk attack by the lively Notts, forwards on Kitchen’s charge had ended fruitless, a slip on the part of Prescott let Brearley through in midfield, but in endeavouring to manoeuvre with his colleagues the visiting centre-forward got himself into an off-side position, and from the free kick Notts, had a further opportunity, but Ross, from a favourable position, delivered wide. Taylor was brought down by McDonald dangerously near the penalty area, and fortunately for the home team, Mainman removed the danger which seemed likely to result from the place kick, and Green failed to gather a pretty centre by Joynes, who had shown Abbott a clean pair of heels for three parts the length of the enclosure. Settle and Rankin both had ineffective shies at Pennington, and on the whole the visiting forwards were very disjointed and spasmodic as a line, and on the few occasions when they did succeed in working through the home half-backs Prescott and Swift chewed them up with a lively digestion. It will be gathered from these observations that the balance of play was in favour of the ground side, but there was not any great amount of combination amongst the forwards, and the most dangerous work was put in by Joynes, the Newark lad moving in his best form. A series of incursions by Green and his companions did not suffice to carry them as far as Kitchen, and after Booth had robbed Green neatly Abbott gave Rankin a beautiful straight pass, from which the Everton outside left swung across a promising centre. Brearley, like the traditional policeman, was not to be found when wanted, and Mainman obliged by returning to midfield, where a little time was cut to waste. Subsequently the Evertonians fed Rankin for all they were worth, and although this young forward was very clever with the ball he failed so make such headway, and when the interval was reached Kitchen was about to take a goal kick.
Half-time; Notts County 1, Everton 0
While the first half had been in progress the attendance was continually increasing, and now there were about eight thousand spectators watching the game. When the ball was re-started on its journey Brearley and his left wing tried some fancy work, which did not come off, against Innes and Prescott, and after Green had shot wide from a distance Ross and Gee, taking advantage of a pass by McDonald who had previously held up Sharp and Taylor, brought Notts back to the attack, despite the clever work of Balmer, and the home team was awarded a free kick against Wolstenholme. Crelly and Balmer, however, were equal to the calls made upon them, and Rankin and Settle compelled Prescott to yield a corner, but the outside forward was good enough to place the flag kick outside, to the evident chagrin of his comrades. Somewhat curiously the fates gave Rankin another chance in this direction immediately afterwards, and this time he was successful in dropping the ball among the pack in front of goal, but the visitors could not trace the geographical position of Pennington. The next few minutes were passed in watching some sterling work by Joynes, Humphreys, and Green, and but for the superb kicking and judgement of Balmer, it was odds on Notts, extending their lead. The Everton right back, however, was simply a giant in defence, despite the fact that on one occasion he almost kicked through his own goal, and the home players, although they made most of the running, had few chances against a cast-iron defence of further testing the capabilities of the handsome fellow who heels from Buxton. The visitors were equally ineffective in reading Pennington, and after some desultory work on both sides Gee, Ross, and Green got at it in more workmenlike fashion with some beautifully timed passing, which was ultimately cut off by Booth. From this player’s “feed” Taylor and Sharp, for the second time of asking got round McDonald and Swift, and when the Lancashire cricketer centred Innes, in attempting to head out, put the ball the wrong way, and gave a corner. The visitors were very troublesome from this, and Pennington had to leave his goal to prevent Sharp running in and scoring. The force of the wind was now much greater than at the commencement of the match, and it blew straight down the field on the backs of the Evertonians, who, as was only to be expected under the circumstances, did rather more of the attacking business. The crowd experienced some anxious moments when Sharp ran round Swift, and struck off a clear course towards goal. When the home defenders closed in upon him he lost the ball, but Settle recovered it and brought Pennington to his knees with a fine grounder. Although a free kick was awarded against Taylor the visitors retained their hold in Notts, quarters, and another grounder-this time from Settle-almost brought about the equalisation of the scores, the ball passing at a big speed past the post on the right side for Notts. Booth was roundly cheered for some really fine defensive work, in which he dispossession Mainman, Ross, and Gee in turn, and mainly through his determination Everton got another chance to get on terms, but Brearley was conspicuously weak when it came to finishing, and the forward combination as a whole failed to judge the strength and direction of the wind, which in the way when the Notts, left wing tried to make some ground, and then in the course of a further attack by the visitors Settle was hurt and retired from the field. The moment he had taken his departure Booth forced a corner with a long shot, and Abbott headed into Pennington’s hands. The Notts keeper cleared cleanly, and although the ball bobbed about in front of him for a few moments his opponents could not get on the spot, as the billiard people say and a wild, straggling effort of Rankin’s was a fair sample of the finishing generally. Then came a second goal for the home players- and a beauty it was too, infinitely better than the previous one, and equal to anything seen on the ground this year. It resulted from a superb and exhilarating effort in which McDonald, Green, and Gee alone took part. The half-back launched the scheme by sending out to Green, and he parted to Gee, who centred just as Green got into position to receive it, and while the last-named was still on the run he had the ball into the net in a twinkling, far out of the reach of Kitchen. There was them rather less than a quarter of an hour to go, and with his team seemingly beaten, Settle limped on to the scene of action again to render them such assistance of which he was capable. The sea-porters made a series of incursions towards Pennington, and were assisted by a free kick against Mainman at close quarters, but although they kept at it for some little time their efforts were of no avail, and Gee made Everton quarters the scene of operation again. It seemed that Green was giving the little man rather too much running about, but “Ellis” was more nimble that usual even, and having once missed his aim he got a further opportunity to shoot, and although he had to turn round to get on to the ball when Balmer challenged him he found Kitchen with a beauty, and the Everton keeper had no option but to give a corner. Notts did not put anything to their account from this, and immediately afterwards Taylor and Sharp made an other attempt to break down the strong effort presented by the home defence, but they were sent empty away. Green was given off-side when through the backs and half the field in front of him for a dribble, and from the place kick the visitors once more bore down on Notts territory, where some interesting striving were witnessed, the result of which left things as they were. Time then arrived with the ball in midfield, the result being;- Notts County 2 Everton 0.
A FEW AFTERTHOUGHTS
What a splendid race it is going to be for the possession of that League pot! The results arrived at to-day decidedly strengthens the position of Notts, who have some stiff work in front of them during the next fortnight. Forest on Friday, Sheffield Wednesday at Owlerton, and West Bromwich Albion at the Hawthorns are the next three dishes in the menu. How many points, think you, from that lot?
Personally, I only fear for the result at Sheffield, for Wednesday must be pretty hot to bring full points away from West Bromwich, and if the “blades” can win these I don’t think the “Throstles” will whack a team that has come through ten matches without tasting the bitters of defeat. And that team is Notts. This afternoon’s game was a good one, and I hold that the “Magpies” thoroughly deserved their win. Some people are saying they were lucky to get the goals, as Everton did the most of the pressing. Perhaps they did; but what the use of pressing if the forwards can’t score goals? And none of the Evertonians showed any ability in this direction. There were times when the Notts forwards were a bit off their game; at others they were full of “devil” and always more dangerous in front of goal than the “blues.” The match was worth anybody’s while to witness, if only on account of the second goal. McDonald had most to do with scoring it. He led off by waiting round two “Toffees,” and gave Gee a sweet pass, from which the “Pickwickian” midfield in his best style, and Green did the trick like a true workman. Green is the “classiest” centre forward Notts have had since Jimmy Oswald. He is a rare shot, a really clever individual player, and has forgotten that nasty habit of turning round with the ball before shooting. The present centre differs from Oswald in one important instance. He does not “go through” like Jimmy; but seems to weigh up the situation, and if there is little chance to get there before the other fellow Green saves himself. And who would blame him, for he is generally there when wanted? I think a mistake is made by feeding Gee in midfield. His forte is to lie well up the field, just keeping on side, and scuttle off for twenty or thirty yards before centring. Ellis has wonderfully pace for the distance, and it’s always ten to one on him; but he should not be given too much sprinting. Gee improved remarkably in the centre-half, and Ross did well, although too anxious for work and liable to wander. I saw him several times on the other wing. Humphreys was scarcely so conspicuous as usual; but Joynces played splendidly for seventy minutes. A rare trier the Newark lad, especially for a light weight; but he is not always able to last to the finish. Mainman played a lovely game, and McDonald also did himself proud. Seldom has finer bit of work by a half-back been seen than his when he commenced the movement for the second goal. Innes artful and useful; Prescott at his best; Swift not so good, but good; Pennington seldom required, and always there. Everton are not a “drawing-room” crowd as they once were, and there are no Chadwicks or Milward amongst them. But Rankin, the pick of the front five to-day. Is a capital exponent of the game, and don’t they work him? Brearley was chiefly occupied in wandering about doing nothing in particular, and save Rankin, Balmer was the most prominent Evertonian. He was an artist. I do hope when Southampton come we shall serve up a few goals like the second of to-day. They do talk so much these Southampton. W.H.

EVERTON v.  NOTTS COUNTY
Liverpool Football Echo-Saturday December 20 1902
EVERTON ONE DOWN AT THE INTERVAL
The Everton team left Liverpool yesterday afternoon preparatory to their engagement with the Notts County eleven. The evening was spent in the lace capital, and this morning the players sauntered around generally. The weather was dull and cold, but there was, nevertheless, a capital attendance at Trent Bridge when the man turned out. Everton played the same team as did do well last week, and the County were fully represented exempt for Bull, who was absent through injury. Prompt to time the men lined up as follows;-
Everton.- Kitchen, goal; Balmer and Crelly, backs; Wolstenholme, Booth, and Abbott, half-backs; Sharp, Taylor, Brearley, Settle, and Rankin, forwards.
Notts.- Pennington, goal; Prescott and Swift, backs; Innes, Mainman, and McDonald, halves; Joynes, Humphreys, Green, Ross and Gee, forwards. Referee; Armitt.
Everton lost the toss, and Brearley started in the face of a stiff breeze. The Everton right wing at once ran down, and Wolstenholme forced a corner off swift. Sharp placed the ball extremely well, but Mainman cleared cleverly. The County then got away through the agency of Gee, and then a free kick against Settle let them in further, but the danger was finely cleared by Balmer. A minutes later the Evertonians got going again, and Settle, running through put in a low swift shot, which tested Pennington. The Everton goal then had a narrow escape, two fine shots only being saved by Kitchen’s activity and judgement. The visitors then took up the attack, and Rankin run down smartly, but no one was in position to take advantage of his pass, and a capital opening was lost. End-to-end play followed, but the wind militated against accurate shooting and both sides shot without effect. A fine combined movement on the part of the home forwards ended in a corner being forced, and this led to what proved a successful assault on the Everton citadel. Ross shot in, and Kitchen partially cleared, but Humphreys caught the return and netted the ball amid loud cheers after the game had bene in progress just over ten minutes. This success stimulated the home team to further efforts, and for several minutes they gave the Everton defence an extremely anxious time, a sustained movement ending in Gee shooting just outside. The County as this particular juncture were monopolising the play, but they held the advantage of the wind, and this counted for much. At length the Evertonians made play on the left, Rankin running down and centring finally. Sharp, however, sent the ball flying in the air, and when Brearley in turn got possession he shot over the crossbar. The game was being contested at a rapid pace, and the ball travelled between the goals alternately. A free kick to the County gave them an opening, and the ball was actually netted but without touching a second player. Following upon this, Crelly cleared an ugly rush on the part of Green and Ross, but it was not long before the home forwards returned to the attack, and both Balmer and Crelly had all their work cut out. At length Sharp and Taylor got moving, and the outside man was given a fine opportunity, but, he shot wildly, and Pennington had no difficulty in clearing. Everton, however, kept up the attack for some time, Brearley on one occasion running right through his field and shooting finely, Swift being distinctly lucky in diverting the course of the ball. After this the County forwards made ground on the left, and from a badly in front of Kitchen, Gee put the ball just outside. The next movement of importance was on the part of the Everton forwards, who moved down in splendid order, but at the critical point the combination was cleverly broken by Mainman, who literally took the ball from Brearley’s toes. A moment later the Everton centre-forward ran down at top speed, and passed to Settle. The latter in turn parted with the ball, but Brearley was offside when he attempted to touch it a second time. The visitors were now enjoying rather the best of the argument, and Taylor being tripped just outside the penalty line gave the visitors a promising opening. Nothing,however, came of the free kick, except a fruitless corner. Then the County took up  the attack, and from a run down by the right wing Humphreys missed the net by inches. Following upon this, the Evertonians in turn took up the running, and Settle sent in a low, swift shot, which Pennington was somewhat fortunate in kicking clear. After this Green forced his way through, and looked exceedingly dangerous, when he was cleverly pulled up by Crelly. Abbott then tried to work his way through, but he was hampered by Prescott, and the next item of interest was a fine dash down the right wing by Joynes who passed nicely across to Gee, but the ex-Evertonian shot wide. Midfield work followed, and then towards the interval the County forwards pressed strongly, the ball being sent out of play on the left. From the throw-in Wolstenholme gave his forwards possession, and a foul against Swift was of further advantage from the free kick Taylor passed the leather right across the goalmouth but Rankins shot was extremely feeble. Some clever work by Booth gave the Everton forwards possession again, but this they lost, and Humphreys having beaten. Crelly looked very like getting through when he was pulled up by Balmer. Half-time score; Notts County 1 goal, Everton Nil.
EVERTON OUTPLAYED
On crossing over Notts at once dashed down on the right, and a strong shot was sent in by Humphreys, but it went just wide. The Evertonians then took up the running, and Wolstenholme from long range, sent in a clinking shot, which give Pennington considerable trouble. The home left wing then got going, and they looked exceedingly dangerous when Booth rushed to Balmer’s assistance and cleared effectively. Following upon this Everton made a sustained attack on the Notts goal. Rankin and Settle both having shots, but without effect. The visitors continued to exert considerable pressure, and a corner was forced on the left. This led to an exciting bully in front of goal, but the leather was eventually kept outside. The home team then took up the attack once more, and Humphreys had another attempt at goal, but the ball went over the line. Another attack on the right wing was cleverly stopped by Abbott. End to end play followed, both sides attacking and defending in turn. After Everton had made a determined onslaught on the Nottingham goal, the Lacemen once more got away, and Kitchen was defeated a second time. Towards the close Everton tried to narrow the margin, but without success, and an interesting game ended in a victory for the homesters by 2 goals to nil. Final Result. Notts County 2 goals, Everton Nil.
Last season Everton returned from the lace town victors by 2 goals to nil.

NOTTS DEFEAT EVERTON IN GOOD STYLE.
Athletic News - Monday 22 December 1902
By Trentsider
By defeating Everton at Trent Bridge on Saturday by two goals to none Notts exactly reversed the result of the corresponding game of last season. Their victory was highly creditable, for they were not only without Montgomery, but their captain as well, both being on the injured list. McDonald consequently again came into the half-back line and Swift once more partnered Prescott. Everton relied upon the team which beat West Bromwich Albion, and so far as the exchanges in the open were concerned they had quite as much of the game as Notts. In front goal, however, they made very poor use of their opportunities, and they seldom created an impression that they were likely to score. The Notts attack was full of dash, and some of the runs which were made could not be excelled for smartness. The shooting was also of a very fair order, though the lead of one to none at half-time ought to have been much bigger.
AT THE OUTSET
There was a strong wind blowing, and Notts had the benefit of it at the outset, the outlook for them at the interval therefore being none too bright. Everton set a fast pace, and it was fairly maintained; indeed, when they settled down the Notts forwards put in some very fine work. There was an excellent understanding amongst them, and they gave the visitors’ defence cause for great anxiety. Kitchen was kept busy by Joynes, Ross, and Green and Humphreys beat him at the end of twelve minutes.  Notts had been awarded a corner kick, and Gee heading into goal, Humphreys kicked through past two or three of the defenders. Gee sent close, and he and Ross made very determined attempt, the Everton goal having a surprising escape. Ross missed an opening upon Kitchen saving from Humphreys, but as the interval approached Notts tired somewhat. The visitors brought considerable pressure to bear, and Brearley had one capital chance which he failed to turn to account. Taylor was tripped just outside the penalty area, but nothing resulted from the free kick, the visitors came nearest to scoring when Settle shot. The ball travelled on the ground at a fast rate, and Pennington was quick to get his foot to it.
EVERTON PRESS BUT FAIL TO SCORE
Served by the wind the visitors kept in front a great deal during the second half, and they tried hard to get on terms. There was a short and exciting race for the ball between Pennington and Sharp, the keeper winning, and he also cleared from Rankin. Some of the best attempts to score were made by Booth. In the course of one sharp attack he was twice nearly successful, and Pennington had some difficulty in putting behind from him, while Prescott was so fortunately placed as to be able to head out the second shot. Other attempts by him were not a source of quite so much danger, but during the closing stages one was made by Rankin, the ball striking one of the posts with great force. Settle put in some poor shots, but it was whilst he was absent suffering from an injury sustained through colliding with Swift that Notts broke away and scored their second goal. McDonald made a fine opening for Gee, who, racing along, finished with a splendid centre, which Green converted with a capital shot.  It was a rare effort and it practically placed the issue beyond doubt, for less than a quarter of hour remained for play. Apparently Gee needed a little encouragement of this kind, for he followed with other runs, and it took Kitchen all his time to put one of his shots behind.
CAPABLE SUBSTITUTES
Mainman and Swift proved highly capable substitutes for Bull and Montgomery.  Mainman filled the centre half position in splendid fashion, tackling in great form and placing the ball, whilst Swift once more played a sound game. McDonald, too, was also hard working and clever. Pennington did all that was required of him, and Prescott performed gallantly. The Notts defence never faltered. Inners played well, and gave Settle few opportunities. ‘The forwards put plenty of life into their movements, and they often combined with great skill. There were signs of return to form in Gee, some his runs being made in quite his old style. Kitchen kept rare goal, having no chance with the shots which beat him, and Balmer played a very fine game. Like Innes, who once headed back over his own goal, he made one mistake, but his work throughout was full of merit. Crelley was useful, and the half-hack line was strong. Booth, whilst having none the best of the exchanges with Green, accomplished fine work. The forwards were somewhat disappointing, particularly in front of goal. Notts County; Pennington; Prescott, and Swift; Innes, Mainman, and McDonald; Joynes, Humphreys, Green, Ross, and Gee.  Everton; Kitchen; Balmer and Crelley; Wolstenholme, Booth (Captain), and Abbott; Sharp, Taylor, Brearley, Settle, and Rankin.  Referee; T. Armitt, Leek. 

A HARD GAME AT EVERTON
Athletic News - Monday 22 December 1902
By Junius
Accrington Stanley were the visitors to Everton and a particularly strong side had been chosen to meet them.  One of the best gates of the season forgathered and in the first half particularly some excellent football was witnessed.  The Accrington centre forward, Watkins, scored after two minutes’ play, but Bowman equalized and Boardman placed his side ahead before the interval.  Nothing was scored afterwards and Everton thus avenged their earlier defeat of 5 goals to 1, winning by the narrow margin of one goal.  The defence on both sides was, I am told, quite the feature of the game, for the Stanley front rank were exceedingly nippy in their movements and Whitley, who kept a good goal, had his hands full with them.  Henderson and Wildman likewise defended well, and the trio had by their skillful work much to do with the gaining of the verdict for their inside.  Bowman and Dilly were the pick of the forwards but the halves were not as noticeable as usual.  For the visitors the extreme wing men in the front rank were very conspicuous.  Morgan on the right down grand work, whilst Watkins proved a capable centre.  The full backs, Boulton and Finney, kicked in capital style, and Walker in goal, was quite equal to his vis-à-vis, the defence all round being exceptionally sound. 

NOTTS COUNTY 2 EVERTON 0
December 22, 1902. The Liverpool Mercury
After their brilliant win at the expense of West Bromwich Albion, Everton on Saturday had great hopes of securing a couple of points at Nottingham. In order that nothing should be left to chance the players travelled from Liverpool on Friday, and stayed the night in the lace capital. The weather, though threatening, was dull and probably owing to the early start there were not more than 5,000 spectators at the opening. Teams : - Notts County: - Pennington, goal, Prescott, and Swift, backs, Innes, Mainman, and Macdonald, half-backs, Joynes, Humphreys, Green, Ross, and Gee, forwards. Everton: - Kitchen, goal, Balmer, and Crelly, backs, Wolstenholme, Booth (captain), and Abbott half-backs, Sharp, Taylor, Brearley, Settle, and Rankin, forwards. Referee T.Armity The spin of the coin favoured the County and Brearley opened against a slight breeze, Taylor and Sharp at once made play on the right, and Wolstenholme forced a corner off Swift. Sharp placed well, but Mainman chipped in and cleared. Again the Everton front rank returned to the attack. Eventually Gee got away and centred. With further assistance by a free kick against Settle, the cricket ground players became somewhat dangerous. Balmer was a strong harrier to their success, and then Settle tested Pennington with a swift grand shot. Then followed a smart attack upon Kitchen's charge, and following several quick passages between the centre forward and his wings Ross headed in, and the keeper cleared with a flying kick. For some few minutes the County were distinctly dangerous, and a corner kick was forced. This was well placed by Joynes to Gee, who headed in, and on the ball passing out to Humphreys, the later opened the scoring with a shot that glided off Crelly into the net. The Everton defenders were now having an anxious time, and Gee only just missed netting the ball by the nearest shave. The County right wing did clever work, and in Innes they had excellent support. Following a corner kick to Notts, Sharp and Taylor eventually got away, and when Settle looked like getting through, Mainman tackled. A smart run by Rankin was the next item, and Brearley under somewhat difficult condition sent in a shot what topped the crossbar. Again Everton returned to the attack, and some smart play was witnessed between Abbott, Settle, and Rankin. There was however, no getting the better of the home defence. A free kick against Settle for fouling Humphreys resulted in the ball being placed in the net, but it had not touched a player in its progress. Long swing passes to the wings were the method adopted by the County, and it was not surprising that on more than one occasion the visitors goal looked like being again captured. However, Everton responded gallantly and Brearley, Settle and Taylor hereabout put in much good work, and it was fortunate for the home team that Prescott and Swift were so reliable. Notwithstanding a free kick against Everton, they returned to the attack but this time they were not at all precise in their finishing movement, and a good opening was lost. The County retaliated and after Kitchen had saved while on his knees, the ball was sent the wrong side of the upright. During the next two or three minutes the home right wing toyed with the opponents. Humphreys being the more prominent by reason of tricky movements and a magnificent shot, which Kitchen cleared in good fashion. Immediately afterwards Pennington just got his toe in time to prevent Settle placing his side on level terms. Abbott finished a further attack by shooting very wide and for a few minutes the play of the Everton forwards was most attractive to follow. Mainman was the stumbling block to almost all the movements of the Everton forwards, Settle repeatedly being the object of his attention. Half-time Notts County 1, Everton nil.
Everton in the second half had at their backs the wind, which seemed to have increased in force. The crowd had also increased to about eight thousand. The County opened in more aggressive fashion than the visitors, but their shooting was not such as to trouble Kitchen. The Everton forwards smartly transferred play to the other end, when Prescott repelled an attempt by Wolsteholme. The Notts attack was clever, but Balmer was in the way on more than one occasion. Following pressure by Everton, Rankin sent behind, and a moment later from a corner the Everton outside left made a very feeble attempt to place the ball in the goalmouth. Another corner was equally abortive. Then the County assumed the aggressive, and on the occasion Balmer gave Kitchen a most awkward ball to deal with from a miskick. Settle had a good opening, but shot ridiculously wide. Booth made a good effort for a subsequently corner kick, and a moment later Sharp appeared to be going through when Pennington took the ball from his toe. In the course of further play, Green scored for Notts. Settle was injured, and though he afterwards returned, Everton failed to score. Final result Notts County 2, Everton nil.

EVERTON RESERVES 2 ACCRINGTON STANLEY 1
December 22, 1902. The Liverpool Courier
Lancashire Combination
At Goodison park, a keen game being witnessed. Stanley scored luckily through Watkins in the first minute but Bowman headed a grand equalising goal. Boardman put on a second point, and Everton led by 2 goals to 1 at the interval. Soon after resuming Whitley saved in magnificent fashion, and then Sheridan hit the visitors crossbar. There was no more scoring, and Everton won by two goals to one. Everton: - Whitley goal, Henderson and W Wildman, backs, Clark, Russell, and Makepeace half-backs Wolfe, Broadman, Bowman, Sheridan, and Dilly, forwards.

EVERTON REVIEW
December 22, 1902. The Liverpool Mercury
The inconsistency, which has distinguished the Everton team this season was markedly illustrated in Saturday's game with Notts County. A week ago a reorganized side covered themselves with glory by accomplishing a feat which other clubs had vainly tried to effects, namely defeating West Bromwich Albion- the League leaders-by three goals to one. The same players represented Everton in the contest with Notts County, yet strange to relate the discrepancy between the display was most remarkable. While at Goodison park the team would probably have defeated any club in the country, their exhibition on Saturday was to say the least, not at all creditable. It is this in and out play which astonishes the supporters of the club. The fact that one game is played at home and the other on foreign ground does not furnish any real reason for the deplorable falling away of form. Everton previously have won on the County ground, and on more than one occasion this season they have played some of their best games away from home. Still, the extraordinary changes of form require some explanation, which to those not intimately associated with the management of the club, is not at all apparent. Some few seasons ago it was uncommon, when clubs from Liverpool suffered reverse at Nottingham, to put forward the excuse that the railway journey through the peak district had a deterious effect upon the conditions of the players. No such reason can be urged for Everton's defeat last Saturday. The team, accompanied by three of the directors, and the secretary, left Liverpool on Friday afternoon, and stayed the night in the lace capital, so that they were in the best of trim for giving one of their brilliant exposition of the game of which they are undoubtedly capable. Unfortunately. The hopes that had been entertained that Everton would repeat their two goals to nil victory of last season were rudely dispelled, and singularly enough, the verdicts was exactly reversed. There could be no disguising the fact that on the play, Notts County most certainly deserved their decisive success. Only very occasionally did the Evertonians suggest the brilliant combination and persistence of attack which distinguished them against West Bromwich Albion, and even then the finishing efforts were not at all what might have been expected from the self same forwards who gave Webb so much hard work to do. On the other hand, the County players were always alert, always looking for work, never waiting for the ball to come to them, but ever seeking for openings which had the least semblance of being turned to the advantage of their side. Especially prominent in this direction were the three County half-backs, and none expelled himself more than did Mainman. Singularly enough, an ex-Evertonian in Gee was the medium in bringing about Everton's downfall. He was concerned in both goals registered against the visitors, more directly the second, when a brilliant run down the wing, and an equally clever cross shot laid open a fine chance to his centre forward, and so accurate was the movement, and its finish that the Everton custodian was quite helpless. The second success of Notts occurred in the later stages of the game, but the margin was all, but reduced by Rankin and hostilities finished. The second point was recorded during the absence of Settle, who had got into collision with Swift, but apart from reduced numerical strength, the home side were at this juncture playing a grand game. From what has already been stated, it can be readilty understood that the display given by the Everton forwards reached a very low standard of efficiency. There was nothing in their movements that savored of danger, and their greatest failure was noticed when within range of the home custodian's charge. Here many of their efforts were ludicrous in the extreme, and, though the County half-backs had much to do with discomfiture, it could not be said that the altogether accounted for such a puerile display as was given. Rankin at times put in many fine sprints, Settle was always a marked man. Brearley was fitful, Taylor came conspicuously under the notice of the referee, and Sharp was only rarely dangerous. Combination there was little, and such individual efforts as were brought out on Saturday were not likely to carry then through against the least accomplished teams in the League. The best work in the half-backs line came from Booth. Abbott, for once in a way finding the wing opposed to him a most difficult pair to contend with, and Wolstenholme had also a stiff task, in hand in keeping down, the frequent demands of the County left wing forwards. Under the heavy pressure Balmer, Crelly and Kitchen got through their work in creditable fashion.
The home side as a body displayed a determination to succeed that was altogether lacking in the opposing ranks. Long swinging passes from wing to wing greatly troubled the Everton defenders, and there was an understanding between the front and half-back line that from the start of the game augured success. The wingmen were fairly good, but the best work was accomplished by Humphreys at inside right, who displayed good command of the ball, though at times he was inclined to overdo it. The half-back division played well throughout, and was best represented by Mainman, who was concerned with the breaking up of almost every attack levelled by the visitors. Prescott and Swift defended stubbornly, and though Pennington was lame, he kept his charge in safe fashion. While Notts unquestionably were the better side, the game was not of a high class character, and if Everton had only approximated to their display of the previous week, there was no reason why the issue should not have been agreeable to the followers of the Goodison Park organization.

REFEREE’S
Athletic News - Monday 22 December 1902
J.T. HOWCROFT
No referee has experienced such a meteoric flight as Mr. J. T. Howcroft, of Bolton, whose name has at times been confused with that of Mr. J. Howcroft, the North Country member of the Council of the Football Association, and we note he is among the young referees who have been selected by the Association for the first round of the Cup-ties. His jealous critics have asserted that a few years ago he could not tell the difference between a football and a cricket ball. If it was so, it is all the more credit to him that he has so suddenly jumped into the forefront, a position he could not have attained without exceptional ability. But in truth he has actually played football, of a very minor calibre he would confess, but a photograph he cherishes is one in which he figures among a group of players. He believes that he claims a record in that he is the youngest referee who ever took charge of a First Division League game, for he was but 25 years when he officiated in his first match.
The “Boy Referee,” Mr. Howcroft, commenced, as we hope many other successful League officials will do, as a League linesman in 1898-99, and we have a recollection of seeing him in his initial engagement at Blackburn. He made his debut in the centre of the field under the auspices of the Lancashire Combination a season later, coming out as an emergency man, and it may be said that he received his baptism under heavy fire, and can always look back to having been honoured with a police escort after a match between Hurst Ramblers and Manchester City. In September of 1900-1 season, the League allotted him a match at Blackpool, and his debut was so satisfactory that he has never since been omitted from the League monthly list of appointments.
Such is a summary of the brief career of Mr. J.T. Howcroft, who is now refereeing under the auspices of all the leading bodies. Last season he was honoured with an appointment on the line in the final tie at the Crystal Palace, and he has now to take charge of the Nottingham Forest and Reading tie. He also acted last season as linesman in the Lancashire Cup Final, while in the final for the Fylde Cup the two teams under his charge were actually playing three hours and ten minutes before he was allowed to blow his whistle for the last time. He has been particularly busy this winter, and we should imagine that he has a record for the number of his engagements, while his mileage to the end of December will be 4,152. He holds other offices in connection with our national winter pastime. He was one of four who launched the Manchester, Bolton, Bury, and District Referees and Linesmen’s Association, and, as secretary, has witnessed the membership increase to upwards of 80.
As an appreciation of his services the members last year presented him with a watch to enable him to keep correct time to the fraction of a second. He is also secretary of the Lancashire Referees’ Association, and is now the registrar of referees for the Lancashire Football Association, likewise the secretary of the Bolton and District Charity Association, and hopes to establish a record year for the charities. He is also secretary of the Bolton Wheelers Cyclist Club, he himself raced for three seasons, and is the N.C.U representative for the district.

SATURDAY’S FOOTBALL
Liverpool Daily Post - Monday 22 December 1902
Everton’s display at Trent Bridge was distinctly disappointing. After the way they demolished West Bromwich Albion a week ago one at least expected to see an interesting game against Notts County. But as matters eventuated the match was not even interesting. The Notts men were always smarter on the ball than their opponents, and their lead of 2 goals to nothing by no means indicates the real extent of their superiority over Everton. The home eleven had the advantage of a stiff breeze in the first half, and they enjoyed the bulk of the attack, but the wind militated against accurate shooting, and it was that which mainly prevented them from scoring more than once. In the second half the visitors, of course, held the weather gauge, but they failed altogether to profit by it, and at the close of the ninety minutes they were a thoroughly beaten team. The forward line was anything to satisfactory, the attack being scrappy, spasmodic, and without combination. Brearley, worked hard, and several times got within close range, but he was unable to find the net. Rankin did several clever things on the left wing, but his centres were rarely met in time-a remark that applies equally well to the few occasions upon which Sharp shot. Abbott and Booth both played well in the half-back line, and Balmer was generally safe, while Kitchen kept out a number of shots very cleverly. The County team performed excellently in all departments. The ex-Evertonian Gee played a capital forward game, as did also Green and Humphreys, and a remarkably fine exhibition of tackling was given by Mainman in the centre half position. Altogether the County fully deserved their victory.

NOTTS COUNTY v  EVERTON
Liverpool Daily Post - Monday 22 December 1902
Played at Nottingham. Teams;- Everton.- Kitchen, goal; Balmer and Crelly, backs; Wolstenholme, Booth, and Abbott, half-backs; Sharp, Taylor, Brearley, Settle, and Rankin, forwards.
Notts.- Pennington, goal; Prescott and Swift, backs; Innes, Mainman, and McDonald, halves; Joynes, Humphreys, Green, Ross and Gee, forwards.
Everton lost the toss and Brearley started in the face of a stiff breeze. The Everton right wing at once ran down, and Wolstenholme forced a corner off Swift. Sharp placed the ball extremely well, but Mainman cleared cleverly. The County then got away through the agency of Gee, and then free-kick against Settle let them in further, but the danger was finely cleared by Balmer. End-to-end play followed, but the wind militated against accurate shooting, and both sides shot without effect. A fine combined movement on the part of the home forwards ended in a corner being forced, and this led to what proved a successful assault on the Everton citadel. Ross shot in, and Kitchen partially cleared, but Humphreyscaught the return, and netted the ball amid loud cheers after the game had been in progress just over ten minutes. This success stimulated the home team to further efforts, and for several minutes they gave the Evertondefence an extremely anxious time, a sustained movement ending in Gee shooting just outside. Following upon this, Crelly cleared an ugly rush on the part of Green and Ross, but it was not long before the home forwards returned to the attack, and both Balmer and Crelly had all their work cut out. At length Sharp and Taylor got moving, and the outside man was given a fine opportunity, but he shot wildly, and Pennington had no difficulty in clearing. Everton, however, kept up the attack for some time. Brearley on one occasion running right throughhis field and shooting finely. Swift being distinctly lucky in diverting the course of the ball. The visitors were now enjoying rather the best of the argument, and Taylor being tripped just outside the penalty line gave the visitors promising opening. Nothing, however, came of the free-kick, except a fruitless corner. Then the County look up the attack, and from a run down the right wing Humphreys missed the net by inches. Following upon this, the Evertonians in turn took up the running, and Settle sent in a low, swift shot, which Pennington was somewhat fortunate in kicking clear. After the Green forced his way through, and looked exceedingly dangerous, when he was cleverly pulled up Crelly. Midfield work followed, and then towards the interval the County forwards pressed strongly, the ball being sent out of play on the left. From the throw-in Wolstenholme gave his forwardpossession, and a foul against Swift was of further advantage. From the free kick Taylor passed the leather right across the goalmouth, but Rankin's shot was extremely feeble. Some clever work by Booth gave Everton forwards possession again, but this they lost, and Humphreys having beaten Crelly looked very like getting through when he was pulled up by Balmer. Half-time score; Notts County 1 goal, Everton nil.
On crossing over, Notts dashed down on the right, and a strong shot was sent in by Humphreys, but it went just wide. The Evertonians then took up the running, and Wolstenholme, from long range, sent in a clinking shot, which gave Pennington considerable trouble. The home left wing then got going, and they looked exceedingly dangerous when Booth rushed to Balmer’s assistance and cleared effectively. Following upon this Everton made a sustained attack on the Notts goal Rankin and Settle both having shots, but without effect. The home team then took up the attack once more, and Humphreys had another attempt at goal, but the ball went over the line. Another attack on the right wing was cleverly stopped by Abbott. End to end play followed, both side’s attacking and defending in turn. After Everton had made a determined onslaught on the Nottingham goal, the Lacemen once more got away, and Kitchen was defeated a second time. Towards the close Everton tried to narrow the margin, but without success, and an interesting game ended in a victory for the homesters by 2 goals to nil.

NOTTS COUNTY v.  EVERTON
Nottingham Journal - Monday 22 December 1902
At Trent Bridge on Saturday Notts, added another to their list of successes, beating Everton by two goals to nothing after a pleasant and fairly even game. There were about 8,000 persons present when the attendance was thickest, and the weather was fine and warm, but a strong wind somewhat mitigated against the accuracy of the football, especially in the second half, when half a gale blew straight down the ground in the teeth of the home players. The second goal was scored against the wind, but it was a much finer point than the previous one, scored by Humphreys after thirteen minutes’ play and for subtlety of conception and brilliance of execution nothing finer has been witnessed at Trent Bridge for a long time. The chief credit belongs to McDonald, who put in some grand manoeuvring before he passed to Gee, who centred to Green, the actual scorist. The periods of pressing were particularly evenly balanced between the teams, but Notts, who were without Bull and played Mainman at centre-half with Innes and McDonald on either side of him, were always the more dangerous in front of goal, and for that reason, if for so other, deserved their victory-a victory which has materially strengthened their position in the championship table. On Boxing Day the “magpies” play Nottingham Forest at Trent Bridge and Sheffield Wednesday at Owlerton the following day; while on the first Saturday in the new year West Bromwich Albion have to be tackled at The Hawthorns. Th work of the immediate future is, therefore, of an exacting character. The teams were as follows;
Notts; H. Pennington, goal; T.G. Prescott and G. Swift, backs; R. Innes, H. Mainman, and E. McDonald, half-backs; R. Joynes and P. Humphreys, right wing; A. W. Green, centre; W. Ross, and E. Gee, left wing.
Everton; Kitchen, goal; Balmer and Crelly, backs; Wolstenholme, Booth (Captain), and Abbott, half-backs; Sharp and Taylor, right wing; Brearley, centre; Settle and Rankin, left wing.
Referee; Mr. T. Armitt, of Leek.
When the teams took the field at a quarter past two there would not be more than five thousand people present, the thin attendance no doubt being due to the early start. Notts, won the toss, and Brearley kicked off towards the Radcliffe-road goal with a stiffish breeze in his teeth. There was at the outset some trouble with Sharp and Taylor, but McDonald and Swift held them off, and after Green had shot wide from a pass by Humphreys, Wolstenholme again placed his right wing in possession, and slack work on the part of the Notts, defence almost let Taylor through. Thanks, however, to his shot being intercepted by Swift’s foot, Pennington had only a mild one to deal with, and in the following moment a dangerous rush by Joynes and Humphreys nearly brought about the downfall of Kitchen’s charge, the Everton custodian being a trifle lucky to get to the ball first. Notts were not able to keep it up, and from a pass by Balmer, Taylor and Sharp again got on the move, but Swift pulled them up, and the Everton right back also put an end to the devices of Ross and Gee. The home players, however, stuck pluckily to their business, and after Kitchen had cleared the leather from Ross, Humphreys caused the burly Abbott to concede a corner, and Kitchen had again to handle. More work was found for the visiting keeper, and then Sharp and Taylor ran round Swift, but Rankin was slow in getting up, and Prescott relieved. Soon after this incident Humphreys opened the scoring for the “magpie” after play had been in progress eleven minutes. It was a curious sort of goal, and difficulty was experienced in telling exactly how it was obtained, but it appeared that Kitchen failed to get the ball away when Gee headed in, and Humphreys after a brief scrimmage got it over the goal line. Encouraged by this success, Notts., like Oliver Twist wanted more, and a brisk fusillade was kept up on Kitchen’s charge. The work was nicely balanced between the two wings, and from their centres Crelly, Balmer, and the Everton half-backs were kept busily engaged. They defended splendidly, however, and a fine kick by Balmer eventually saved to relieved the pressure, and Rankin and Settle nicely supported by Abbott, carried play to the other end. But a free kick for tripping Humphreys drove them back, and Prescott netted the leather from the place kick, though a goal did not count, because it has not touched a second player in its flight. In the next five minutes or so the theatre of hostilities was the Notts, half of the ground, where some pretty wing play was indulged in by each visiting pair. But more often than not the “blue” finished badly, and this fact, combined with the sound tackling and clever kicking of Prescott and Swift, prevented Pennington from having any serious work on hand, and for the most part he was a spectator of the business. After another brisk attack by the lively Notts, forwards on Kitchen’s charge had ended fruitless, a slip on the part of Prescott let Brearley through in midfield, but in endeavouring to manoeuvre with his colleagues the visiting centre-forward got himself into an off-side position, and from the free kick Notts, had a further opportunity, but Ross, from a favourable position, delivered wide. Taylor was brought down by McDonald dangerously near the penalty area, and fortunately for the home team, Mainman removed the danger which seemed likely to result from the place kick, and Green failed to gather a pretty centre by Joynes, who had shown Abbott a clean pair of heels for three parts the length of the enclosure. Settle and Rankin both had ineffective shies at Pennington, and on the whole the visiting forwards were very disjointed and spasmodic as a line, and on the few occasions when they did succeed in working through the home half-backs Prescott and Swift chewed them up with a lively digestion. It will be gathered from these observations that the balance of play was in favour of the ground side, but there was not any great amount of combination amongst the forwards, and the most dangerous work was put in by Joynes, the Newark lad moving in his best form. A series of incursions by Green and his companions did not suffice to carry them as far as Kitchen, and after Booth had robbed Green neatly Abbott gave Rankin a beautiful straight pass, from which the Everton outside left swung across a promising centre. Brearley, like the traditional policeman, was not to be found when wanted, and Mainman obliged by returning to midfield, where a little time was cut to waste. Subsequently the Evertonians fed Rankin for all they were worth, and although this young forward was very clever with the ball he failed so make such headway, and when the interval was reached Kitchen was about to take a goal kick.
Half-time; Notts County 1, Everton 0
While the first half had been in progress the attendance was continually increasing, and now there were about eight thousand spectators watching the game. When the ball was re-started on its journey Brearley and his left wing tried some fancy work, which did not come off, against Innes and Prescott, and after Green had shot wide from a distance Ross and Gee, taking advantage of a pass by McDonald who had previously held up Sharp and Taylor, brought Notts back to the attack, despite the clever work of Balmer, and the home team was awarded a free kick against Wolstenholme. Crelly and Balmer, however, were equal to the calls made upon them, and Rankin and Settle compelled Prescott to yield a corner, but the outside forward was good enough to place the flag kick outside, to the evident chagrin of his comrades. Somewhat curiously the fates gave Rankin another chance in this direction immediately afterwards, and this time he was successful in dropping the ball among the pack in front of goal, but the visitors could not trace the geographical position of Pennington. The next few minutes were passed in watching some sterling work by Joynes, Humphreys, and Green, and but for the superb kicking and judgement of Balmer, it was odds on Notts, extending their lead. The Everton right back, however, was simply a giant in defence, despite the fact that on one occasion he almost kicked through his own goal, and the home players, although they made most of the running, had few chances against a cast-iron defence of further testing the capabilities of the handsome fellow who heels from Buxton. The visitors were equally ineffective in reading Pennington, and after some desultory work on both sides Gee, Ross, and Green got at it in more workmenlike fashion with some beautifully timed passing, which was ultimately cut off by Booth. From this player’s “feed” Taylor and Sharp, for the second time of asking got round McDonald and Swift, and when the Lancashire cricketer centred Innes, in attempting to head out, put the ball the wrong way, and gave a corner. The visitors were very troublesome from this, and Pennington had to leave his goal to prevent Sharp running in and scoring. The force of the wind was now much greater than at the commencement of the match, and it blew straight down the field on the backs of the Evertonians, who, as was only to be expected under the circumstances, did rather more of the attacking business. The crowd experienced some anxious moments when Sharp ran round Swift, and struck off a clear course towards goal. When the home defenders closed in upon him he lost the ball, but Settle recovered it and brought Pennington to his knees with a fine grounder. Although a free kick was awarded against Taylor the visitors retained their hold in Notts, quarters, and another grounder-this time from Settle-almost brought about the equalisation of the scores, the ball passing at a big speed past the post on the right side for Notts. Booth was roundly cheered for some really fine defensive work, in which he dispossession Mainman, Ross, and Gee in turn, and mainly through his determination Everton got another chance to get on terms, but Brearley was conspicuously weak when it came to finishing, and the forward combination as a whole failed to judge the strength and direction of the wind, which in the way when the Notts, left wing tried to make some ground, and then in the course of a further attack by the visitors Settle was hurt and  retired from the field. The moment he had taken his departure Booth forced a corner with a long shot, and Abbott headed into Pennington’s hands. The Notts keeper cleared cleanly, and although the ball bobbed about in front of him for a few moments his opponents could not get on the spot, as the billiard people say and a wild, straggling effort of Rankin’s was a fair sample of the finishing generally. Then came a second goal for the home players- and a beauty it was too, infinitely better than the previous one, and equal to anything seen on the ground this year. It resulted from a superb and exhilarating effort in which McDonald, Green, and Gee alone took part. The half-back launched the scheme by sending out to Green, and he parted to Gee, who centred just as Green got into position to receive it, and while the last-named was still on the run he had the ball into the net in a twinkling, far out of the reach of Kitchen. There was them rather less than a quarter of an hour to go, and with his team seemingly beaten, Settle limped on to the scene of action again to render them such assistance of which he was capable. The sea-porters made a series of incursions towards Pennington, and were assisted by a free kick against Mainman at close quarters, but although they kept at it for some little time their efforts were of no avail, and Gee made Everton quarters the scene of operation again. It seemed that Green was giving the little man rather too much running about, but “Ellis” was more nimble that usual even, and having once missed his aim he got a further opportunity to shoot, and although he had to turn round to get on to the ball when Balmer challenged him he found Kitchen with a beauty, and the Everton keeper had no option but to give a corner. Notts did not put anything to their account from this, and immediately afterwards Taylor and Sharp made an other attempt to break down the strong effort presented by the home defence, but they were sent empty away. Green was given off-side when through the backs and half the field in front of him for a dribble, and from the place kick the visitors once more bore down on Notts territory, where some interesting striving were witnessed, the result of which left things as they were. Time then arrived with the ball in midfield, the result being;- Notts County 2 Everton 0.

NOTTS COUNTY v  EVERTON
Liverpool Mercury - Monday 22 December 1902
At Nottingham before 8,000 spectators. Notts were without their captain (Bull, injured), whilst Everton played the same team as beat West Bromwich Albion. Humphreys scored after eight minutes, Ross directly after almost doing the same feat. Kitchen saved well from Humphreys. Gee and Rankin were off for their respective sides. The first half was splendidly contested, with good feeling. Half-time-Notts 1; Everton, nil.
A boisterous wind straight down the field had been rising for some time and Everton now having the advantage, constantly attacked, but spoiled otherwise good work by repeated pushing, in spite of the free kicks against them, they pressed till McDonald, Gee and Green got down, and Green scored a second for Notts. Settle (injured) had gone off the field, but now returned. Still Notts were equal, and the result was; -Notts County 2 Everton 0.
Everton.- Kitchen, goal; Balmer and Crelly, backs; Wolstenholme, Booth, and Abbott, half-backs; Sharp, Taylor, Brearley, Settle, and Rankin, forwards.
Notts.- Pennington, goal; Prescott and Swift, backs; Innes, Mainman, and McDonald, halves; Joynes, Humphreys, Green, Ross and Gee, forwards.

DILLY DOING WELL WITH EVERTON
Dundee Evening Telegraph - Tuesday 23 December 1902
The doings of Tom Dilly in the ranks of Everton are being closely watch in this district nowhere more than in Arbroath. Before he was picked up by the English Club when they visited Gayfield “on friendly business” Dilly was recognised as a player of undoubted ability, and one who was likely to make a good name for himself. These predictions he is fulfilling, and although not a regular player in the League team, he is doing so well for the reserves that his full promotion is only a question of time.
Jack Bell, the noted internationalist, meantime occupies the position of outside left, and it is only his long experience of League football that enables him to hold the place, for which Dilly possesses every qualification.

EVERTON CLUB AND THEIR PLAYERS
December 25, 1902. The Liverpool Courier
The Everton football club have decided top give the net profit of the League match at Goodison Park on the 17 th proxy, to Balmer and Wolstenholme, two players who have faithfully served the club for several seasons.

TODAYS TEAM NEWS
Liverpool Daily Post - Thursday 25 December 1902
Everton v Grimsby Town. League match, at Grimsby; kick-off 2.15.
Everton.- Whitley, goal; Balmer and Crelly, backs; Wolstenholme, Booth, and Abbott, half-backs; Sharp, Sheridan, Brearley, Settle, and Rankin, forwards.
Everton Combination v Heywood
Lancashire Combination match, at Goodison Park; kick-off 2.15
Everton Combination;- Kitchen, goal; Henderson, and Wildman, backs; Brown, Russell, and Chadwick, half-backs; Wolfe, Boardman, Bowman, Makepeace, and Bate, forwards.
Heywood.- Wolstenholme, goal; Eckersley, and Hodgkiss, backs; Holden, Walkden, and Oldham, half-backs; Longworth, Taylor, Patterson, Scotson, and Johnson, forwards.
Everton A v. White Star Wanderers.
At Marsh-lane, Bootle, kick-off 11 o’clock.
Everton.- Joyce, goal; Balmer and Mawdsley, backs; Ward, Clayton, and Hignett, half backs; Stainton, Morton, Thornton, C. Delvin, and E. Mainman, forwards.
White Star Wanderers;- Selected from the follow;-
T. Crosbie, McFarlane, Doswell, E. Crosbie, R. Mason, Straghan, Hankinson, Burrows, D. McGuffie, A. McGuffie, Barnes, Hardacre, and Adams.

GRIMSBY TOWN 0 EVERTON 0
December 26, 1902. The Liverpool Courier
The first League fixture proved a great attraction at Grimsby yesterday afternoon. The visitors made three changes from the side beaten by Notts County. Balmer could not play owing to a cold, Taylor was injured, while Kitchen stood down, Henderson Sheridan and Whitley playing. Grimsby had a strong team. Teams: - Grimsby Town: - Whittaker goal, McConnell, and Gardner backs, Hemmingfield, Hall, and Dunn, half-backs Fletcher, Ronaldson, Appleyard, Long, and McLathchie forwards. Everton: - Whitley goal Henderson, and Crelly, backs, Wolstenholme, Booth (captain), and Abbott, half-backs Sharp, Sheridan Brearley Settle, and Rankin, forwards. Referee H.Ward.

The visitors won the toss and took advantage of a strong breeze. The opening stages were altogether in Grimsby's favour, and three corners were forced in as many minutes. Whitley being called upon to defend which he did in fine style. The play soon degenerated however, and for some time neither side could claim any advantage, though it was noticeable that Grimsby were maintaining their improved form, and playing with better combination. Hall, the home centre half was injured, but was only off the field a few minutes. Just after this Grimsby made a fine assault upon Whitley charge. Fletcher sending in from outside right, followed by another from the left, which the Everton custodian only just saved near the upright. From a foul the visitors had a good opening but the wind carried the ball wide of the mark. A corner fell to Everton, and though danger was temporarily cleared, the visitors returned to the attack, Sharp shot strongly for goal, and Whittaker scooped the ball out, but bouncing it struck the upright, and then the crossbar, before it was eventually placed in midfield. It was a remarkable escape when everything pointed to Whittaker's charge falling. Play was soon reversed, and the home forwards swooped down in a body. Hall, making a grand effort to score, but Whitley fisted away. With a clear field Everton got away, Brearley shooting with no opposition from about twenty yards. Whittaker met his ground shot on bended knees and the ball was thrown away. On the whole play, was not very exciting though it was well contested, and the teams appeared very evenly matched. The Everton left wing was worked most but they failed to score by halftime, when neither goalkeeper had been beaten. On resuming the home team, started strongly, and working down on the left wing, Long passed to Appleyard, who shot for goal, Whitley stopped the ball, but after clearing it was immediately returned, and again Whitley saved but at the expense of a corner, Fletcher placed the ball beautifully, and Hall headed into the custodian's hands, the position being with difficulkty saved. It was a remarkable restart, the pressure on Everton goal being very strong. Play continued fast, but for fifteen minutes the ball was never in Grimsby half. The Everton goal was in great danger from a foul close in a scrimmage resulting in the ball being skied over the crossbar. Brearley, and Sheridan getting clear away caused a complete change, and passing the home backs, met Whittaker alone. The home custodian caught the ball, however, and being impeded by Sheridan a free kick was given. Shortly afterwards Sharp made a fine effort to score, the ball just going over the bar, while a shot from Booth landed the ball right in, Whittaker's arms. Play was rapidly transferred from end to end, and each side strove hard to open the score. Fletcher almost beat Whitley, the custodian saving well. Then Appleyard shot from long distance, and to save the Everton custodian had to concede a corner. From LcLathie's flag kick, a scrimmage ensued close in, and after severe attack, and equally stubborn defence, the ball went over the line and a goal kick resulted. Long was injured, and had to be carried off the field, play being suspended for a time. A corner kick for Grimsby was badly taken by McLathie, and the ball went behind. Soon after this Henningfield placed a beautifully forward to Appleyard, who again attempted to score, but being keenly watched he failed, and injured his shoulder though a charge. All efforts to score failed on each side, the game resulting in a goalless draw. Long was unable to resume for Grimsby. Whitley kept a fine goal. Final result Grimsby nil, Everton nil.

EVERTON RESERVES 0 HEYWOOD UNITED 2
December 26, 1902. The Liverpool Courier
Lancashire Combination
This return match was played at Goodison park, the initial game having ended in a draw two goals each. Teams: - Everton: - Kitchen goal, R.Balmer, and W Wildman backs, Brown, J Russell, and TC Chadwick, half-backs, Wolfe, Boardman, Bowman Makepeace, and Bates, forwards. Heywood: - Wolstenholme, goal, Eckersley, and Hodkiss, backs, Holden, Walden, and Oldham, half-backs, Johnson, Taylor, Patterson, Scotson, and Barlow, forwards. Bowman started against a strong wind, and play ruled in favour of the visitors for a time. Kitchen at once ran out and saved well, and play was taken to the visitor's end, where Brown sent a splendid long shot just over the bar. Heywood retaliated on the left, and Barlow tried a long shot, which sailed across the goal, and into the corner of the net. Kitchen making a very poor attempt to clear. With the wind behind them the visitors continued to attack, and Johnson with a clear course shot wide, while Kitchen had to run out top avert disaster. Russell was a conspicuous defender, and Everton dashed away only for Bates to get offside. Heywood showed much the better form, and were very dangerous near goal. Kitchen punched away a good shot from Taylor, while Patterson was only a foot too high with a good screw shot. At length Everton got going, Wolfe, Boardman, and Bowman combining well, and Bates made two good attempts to net through, the wind each time carrying the ball back. After this play ruled in midfield for along time. Heywood were first to become dangerous, but Balmer and Wildman robbed the forwards in great style, the right wing taking up the running Hodgkiss and Oldham, however, pulled them up, and though Bates tried hard on the other wing, Wolstenholme ran out and kicked away. The Heywood attacked strongly, Kitchen saving from Barlow and Walkden. A splendid run by Bates and Boardman followed, the latter sending just outside. In quick succession Kitchen twice saved grandly from Patterson and Scotson. Bowman retired hurt, but Everton kept their goal from further downfall. Half-time Heywood 1, Everton nil. Bowman was still absent when play was resumed, and in the first minute Wolstenholme saved from Bates. Then Wolfe dropped in a beautifully centre, but the custodian cleared Boardman's header. Everton kept up a continuous pressure, and from a corner well taken by Bates, Boardman headed just over the bar. The home side had bad luck on more than one occasion. Wolfe having one very hot shot charged down. By means of free kicks Heywood got into the home half, Wildman clearing finely. First Wolfe and then Holden were hurt, but both resumed and Wolstenholme saved a beauty from the former. Following a free kick, Taylor hit the Everton post with a fine shot. Then the Heywood custodian saved from Makepeace and Russell, and the backs frequently kicked outside as time drew near. Makepeace made a great effort to equalise, but an abortive corner was the only result. Then Barlow scored again for Heywood, Kitchen being at fault, and Everton sustained their first home defeat. Heywood 2, Everton nil.

GRIMSBY TOWN V EVERTON
December 26, 1902. The Glasgow Herald
At Grimsby, before 3,000 spectators Everton, winning the toss, had the advantage of a good wind in the first half, but were unable to attack. Grimsby facing several abortive corners. Play was largely in the visitor's territory, the Grimsby right wing scoring very smart, but towards the interval Everton attacked, and Whittaker had to deal with some capital shots. The game was however, one of splendid defence on both sides, the attack being inferior. In the second half Grimsby forced the play, but the Everton defence scored impregnable. Whitting giving a capital display in goal. Towards the finish play was of a fast character. Everton defence was bombarded Whitley saving a splendid shot from Appleyard in the last few minutes. Long retire injured, but Grimsby pressed up to the finish result Grimsby 2 Everton 0

WHITE STAR WANDERERS 2 EVERTON RESERVES X1 1
December 26, 1902. The Liverpool Courier
These teams met on the former's ground in a friendly before a very good attendance. The Star went away with great dash and three minutes from the start, McGuffe scored a capital goal. Everton who were a man short, and had to battle against a strong wind strove hard to make headway, but the capital defence of the Star was far too good, although the narrow ground was very much against them. McGuffe was next offered a good opportunity to increase the home side's lead and them Stainton rushed away, but shot over the bar. Fouls were frequent, the Star being the greatest aggressors in this respect. A couple of corners fell to the Wanderers without result, and then Joyce, in taking a goalkick, sent the ball strongly against Mawdsley, and from the rebound, he was lucky to get back and scoop the leather outside. The corner was cleared, and Crosbie checked a move by Davlin and Mainman. McGuffe sent in a beauty, which Joyce finely accounted for, the Everton custodian immediately afterwards being twice called upon. The Star were having all the play at this period, but there was no getting through the Everton defence although a long shot by Hardaker skimmed the bar. At half-time the Star led by a goal to nil. With the change of ends, and the wind in Everton's favour, the ball was soon in the home goal, and after Stainton had sent in a fast low shot, which just missed the mark. Mainman made a wretched attempt with an open goal. However, matters were not allowed to be one sided, and play opening out the game was splendidly contested, the Star front rank giving a fine exhibition, and on several occasions deserved to score. From a penalty Crosbie added a second point for the Wanderers, and then Morton scored a simple goal for Everton. final result Wanderers 2, Everton 1.
Note , L.Bell, missed a penalty for Bolton Wanderers again, this time at Anfield.

GRIMSBY TOWN V. EVERTON
Lancashire Evening Post - Friday 26 December 1902
At Grimsby, before 8,000 spectators. The feature of the game all through was the splendid defence on both sides, which prevented any scoring. Everton had the advantage of a strong wind at the outset, but Grimsby did most of the atatcking, and forced several unproductive corners. The home right wing proved very troublesome, but Whitley did well in goal, whilst at the other end Whittaker brought off several good saves. The game was very fast in the second half, Grimsby again doing the bulk of the pressing, without result however. In the last few minutes Long retired injured, but Grimsby more than held their own up to the finish. Result-Grimsby 0, Everton 0.

GRIMSBY TOWN v  EVERTON
Liverpool Mercury - Friday 26 December 1902
Some 6000 spectators were present at Grimsby’s holiday fixture with Everton yesterday. The home team were well represented.
Grimsby Town.- Whittaker, goal; McConnell, and Gardner, backs; Hemmingfield, Hall, and Dunn, half-backs; Fletcher, Ronaldson, Appleyard, Long and McLatchie, forwards.
Everton.- Whitley, goal; Crelly, and Balmer, backs; Abbott, Booth (Captain), and Wolstenholme, half-backs; Rankin, Settle, Brearley, Sheridan, and Sharp, forwards. Referee; Mr. H. Ward.
Everton won the toss, and the ball was played off with a wind blowing right into the Grimsby goal. Everton pressed from the start, the forwards showing a dash which the Grimsby defence line could not hold. Play settled in Grimsby’s half, and Whittaker was kept busy with some hot shot, but the custodian showed a glimpse of his old form, and his defence was perfect. Everton were to the fore in all the play, having easily the better of both the loose and open exchanges. The forwards showed a combination that puzzled Grimsby not a little. The Town men could not initiate any of the movements which Derby County found so disconcerting on Saturday, the strong wind several times spoiling their tactics. Play was fast, the Town men directing their energies to frustrate Everton’s dangerous rushes. The visiting forwards, allowing for the win, controlled the ball beautifully and, aided valiantly by the backs, continually tricked the home team. Their persistent efforts to score were, however, every time negatived by Whittaker, and half-time came without score.
On the resumption, the positions were reversed, Grimsby doing the pressing. From a corner Booth headed neatly, but failed to score from a foul. Ronaldson came within an ace of scoring and the same player from a scrimmage in goal headed in, just saving the upright. Settle fouled Ronaldson, and from the resulting free kick Everton’s goal was again endangered, the shot just going over the bar. Play getting down the field again, Abbott put in a beautiful long shot, which sped straight for goal, but Whittaker saved neatly. The Everton forwards showed well in the ensuing play. Abbott’s shooting, too, was particularly fine. From a favourable position Appleyard shot, bringing Whitley to his knee. From the following corner Grimsby came near opening the scoring, but the danger was averted. Good work by the Everton halves continued to open up opportunities for the visitors, but the wind repeatedly foiled their attempts. Long was heavily dropped and had to retire injured. With a man short, Grimsby made little headway, their play lacking combination. Appleyard shot over from a very favourable position. Fletcher bombarded Whitley with three successive shots, but all were returned. The Everton forwards made a fine rush, and were all over the Grimsby goal. Booth was the bright particular star of the Everton half-backs, and never allowed Appleyard to stray from his side. In the closing stages of play temper manifested itself, though matters remained even until the whistle blew. Result; Grimsby Nil; Everton Nil.

EVERTON RESERVE v  HEYWOOD
Liverpool Mercury - Friday 26 December 1902
There was a good gate at Goodison Park to witness the above Lancashire Combination match. The result was a surprise, for the home team were beaten for the first time this season on their own ground in the competition. Barlow, outside left, added a goal in each half for the visitors. Bowman left the field injured before the interval, and for the rest of the game Everton played but ten men.
Result- Heywood, 2 Everton Reserves nil.

HEYWOOD v EVERTON RESERVES
Heywood Advertiser - Friday 26 December 1902
HEYWOOD’S BRILLANT WIN
Heywood met Everton yesterday with what was considered a weakened team, being without Wolstenholme in goal, Knowles, and Longworth (the latter is, by the way, expected to turn out to-morrow against Nelson.) Mannion played in goal, and Eckersley and "Tommy" Wolstenholme filled the other positions, and right well did they acquit themselves. The Heywoodites went to Liverpool with very little hopes of winning, but they were in the best behaviour. Mr. T. Helm, of Bolton, who officiated with the whistle, got the teams in their positions as below:—
Heywood: Mannion; Eckersley and Hodgkiss; Holden, Walkden, and Oldham; Wolstenholme, Taylor, Patterson, Scotson, and Johnson.
Everton: Kitchen; Balmer and Wildman; Brown, Russell, and Chadwick; Wolfe, Boardman, Bowman, Makepeace, and Paite.
Hodgkins won the toss and played with a strong wind behind him. Bowman kicked off before four thousand spectators. The game opened even until Scotson and Johnson got away with a grand dribble, the latter shooting over. Patterson rounded Russell and gave Kitchen a good handful, but he brought off a fine save. Walkden again tested him, but he was safe, and Wolstenholme next had a shot, the ball going over. Heywood were having nearly all the play, and after about twenty minutes' play Scotson got round three of the Everton players and sent in a magnificent shot which beat Kitchen, scoring the first goal of the match. Everton now got away, and Makepeace sent in a grand shot which struck the post, Mannion getting hold and punting up the field. The Everton Park lads were playing a grand combined game, and found the home defence plenty to do, Kitchen in goal being repeatedly called upon to clear his charge. Taylor again netted the ball from a good centre by Wolstenholme, but the point was disallowed for off-side. The Heywoodites had the best of the game up to half-time, when the score was: Heywood I. Everton 0.
From the restart Everton pressed, and found the defence any amount of work. They stuck to their task manfully. Mannion was called upon to clear a good shot from Makepeace. Everton had two corners but Oldham cleared. Scotson and Johnson made play, and Balmer had all his work cut out to keep them from scoring again. Walkden and Oldham were playing a grand game, time after time robbing the home forwards and placing to their forwards. Patterson got away on several occasions, but was charged off the ball when be might have shot. Taylor gave to Scotson, who sent over to the right wing, and Wolstenholme sent in a grand shot which struck the crossbar, the ball being cleared. Heywood, however, were not to be driven away, and Johnson. with a beautiful cross shot, scored a second goal three minutes from time. Everton now played desperately hard to score, but the visitors' halves and backs kept them from getting to shooting range, and Heywood retired winners of a fast and exciting game by two goals to nil.
Heywood deserve every praise for taking away the two points. for Everton had not suffered defeat on their ground this season, and only so far back as Saturday they defeated the victorious Accrington Stanley team. Mannion in goal played a good game, although he had only about half-a-dozen shots all through to deal with. Eckersley and Hodgkins were is grand form, especially the former. Walkden and Oldham were as good as any halves on the field. The forwards played a splendid game, the two goals were real beauties.

GRIMSBY TOWN v.  EVERTON
Liverpool Daily Post - Friday 26 December 1902
Everton had Whitley in goal and Henderson right back, whilst Grimsby reintroduced Hemingfield, right half-back, as the only change from Derby County’s victors. The visitors had the benefit of a strong wind in the first half, but were defending immediately, and conceded three successive corners, which were smartly cleared. Still Everton were unable to get away, and Whitley was severely tested. Eventually the Everton right wing attacked, and Sharp sent across, but there was nobody up, and McConnell quickly repulsed, and Everton were again defending for some time, Crelly being somewhat frequently penalised for jumping. There was little sting in Everton’s attack, and up to twenty minutes’ play Whittaker had not been called upon, most of the shots for goal going wide. Play was by no means exciting, neither side exhibiting brilliancy, but towards the interval it improved, and Appleyard missed a fine opportunity. Directly after Gardner only just intercepted Brearley after McConnell had miskicked, and Settle skimmed the crossbar with a magnificent effort. Everton pressed for some minutes, Whitaker saving from Brearley and Sheridan. Everton pressed up to the interval. In the concluding stages, with a favourable wind. Grimsby attacked at once, and Whitley was thoroughly tested, Everton seldom getting over the half-way line. A breakaway was, however, spoiled by Rankin falling when about to centre, but Everton continued dangerous, and Settle nearly scored. Grimsby again attacked, but proved erratic in shooting. Play, however, assumed a fast character. A corner off Everton was headed over by Hall, and Whitley saved magnificently from Appleyard and a couple of corners for Grimsby were repulsed. In the last few minutes Long was injured and retired, but Grimsby continued to press, and Appleyard narrowly missed and Ronaldson spoiled a fine chance, and the play ended in midfield.
Result; Grimsby nil, Everton nil.

WHITE STAR WANDERERS v.  EVERTON A.
Liverpool Daily Post - Friday 26 December 1902
These  teams met in a friendly match at Marsh-lane. Fine weather favoured the meeting a good gate being present. Everton only played ten men. The Starites made a good start, and McGuffie scoring immediately after the commencement. Nettled by this reverse, Everton attacked, the referee awarding them a free kick close in White Star’s goal, and Star defence proving sound. Midfield play followed. White Star improved and pressed, forcing a corner, which proved fruitless. Shortly afterwards the visitors conceded another corner, Hardacre having hard lines in not scoring. McGuffie tried a shot at goal, his attempt, however, was a poor one, the ball going yards wide. About five minutes off the interval the Star forced an abortive corner.
Half-time;- White Star 1 goal Everton A nil.
In the second half Everton were the better team, and Stainton made a splendid attempts at goal, the ball just going into the side net. Fast end to end play followed, both sides exhibiting clever football. A raid by the Star left wing looked dangerous for the visitors, the ball going into touch. A shot by Crosby was splendidly saved by Joyce. About ten minutes afterwards E. Crosby was fouled within the twelve yards’ limit, the referee awarding a penalty kick. Crosby safely landing the homesters second point. From the centre Everton attacked, and Morton drew first blood for the visitors. Just before half-time Everton made a good attempt to equalise, but it was of no avail.
Final; White Star 2 goals, Everton A 1 goal.

DISCONTENT AT GOODISON.
Lancashire Evening Post - Saturday 27 December 1902
The poor form of Everton late has canscd much discontent in the ranks of the Goodison crowd. The cry for a sacrifice, a director or two and few players, is being raised again. In October Mr. Cuff, secretary, came back after his suspension, and the club began to win games; he was praised up to the skies and too much could not be said in his praise. Now'they point out that Mr. Cuff is a solicitor, and ask what can he know about football, &c., Again in quiet corners one hears the name of Mr. Molyneux mentioned, and it has been predicted that this gentleman will go back to his old office again before long.

EVERTON 1 GLASGOW RANGERS 2
December 27, 1902. The Liverpool Courier
The principal attraction locally in football circles for Boxing Day was a friendly fixture at Goodison-park, between Everton and Glasgow Rangers. Although the weather was dull, the rain held off, but at two o'clock, when the game was announced to commence, there was only a moderate attendance, “friendles” having apparently lost a great deal of their old interest. Everton placed a curious side in the field. The usual league players, who only arrived after a tiring journey from Grimsby late on Thursday were given a rest, and a experiments on a proceed scale were made. Three of the Nomads players, Thomas and Elston (Liverpool Leek) and Lawrence (Blackburn Etrurians) were included. It had also been intended to try Walmesley of Blackburn Etrurians at left back, but during practice he had the misfortune to break his leg. The visitors, who had been beaten the previous day at Preston, were not strongly represented. It was nearly a quarter past two when the teams faced as follows: - Everton: - Kitchen, goal, Henderson, and Clark, backs, Makepeace, Thomas, and Russell, half-backs, Lawrence, Boardman, Sheridan Dilly, and Elston, forwards. Glasgow Rangers: - Dickie, goal, Speedie, and Drummond, backs, Gibson Neill, and Robertson half-backs, Bennie, W Walker, Hamilton, J.Walker, and A.Smith, forwards. Referee J.McGill. The Rangers kicked off and at once asserted superiority Kitchen being called upon to handle. The Scotchmen continued to monopolize the play, some of their passing being exceedingly effective. Shortly afterwards however, Elston ran the ball down cleverly, and Dilly put in a shot which Dickie dealt with smartly. The Rangers, however, were quickly back at the other end, when Bennie was prominent with a fine try, Kitchen bringing off a good save. A corner, forced by the right wing, was not turned to advantage, and offside spoiled a decent attempt on the part of the Everton front line. Neill was penalised for tripping and following the free kick, which was taken close in Russell called upon the custodian. It was difficult to arouse much interest in the play, which was mostly in favour of Rangers. The old Liverpool winger, shot into the hands of Kitchen, while Hamilton sent wide. Better combination by the Everton front line yielded two successive corners, which were not ultised, and then J.Walker had an open goal, but feebly shot the ball against the side of the net. Dilly made a nice opening for Sheridan, but before the latter could get in his shot he collided with the goalkeeper, and the ball rolled harmlessly over the line. Another corner fell to Everton, chiefly as the result of smart work by the left wing, Elston creating a favourable impression. A swift shot from Sheridan went over the bar, while a moment later Dilly was at fault. The Rangers indulged in some pretty short passing, but their shooting was faulty, and altogether the play was tame and generally in favor of the Rangers who by no means over exerted themselves. Hamilton headed a nice centre from Bennie into goal from short range, but Kitchen was on the alert and saved his charge. More smart play by Elston resulted in a corner, but from the corner flag the Liverpool Leek representative placed the ball behind. The Rangers continued to have the bulk of the play, but at half-time neither side had scored.
In the second half, which was witnessed by some 9,000 people, the Rangers opened strongly, and Kitchen saved grandly from Hamilton. Then Everton broke away, and Dilly scored a capital goal. This had the effect of enlivening the game, and a miskick by Clark left in Hamilton, who cleverly equalised. A really beautiful shot from A.Smith placed the Rangers ahead. The visitors for the most part toyed with their opponents, and might easily have added to their score. However, towards the close Everton put on pressure, and Dickie saved cleverly from Lawrence, while Elston narrowly missed the mark. However, the end arrived with Everton beaten. Final result Glasgow Rangers 2, Everton 1.

EVERTON v  GLAGOW RANGERS
Liverpool Mercury - Saturday 27 December 1902
Continuing their Christmas tour, the Glasgow Rangers met Everton at Goodison Park yesterday, before a moderate attendance. The home side, who played in white jerseys, was scarcely recognisable and was of a decidedly experimental character, including three amateurs-Thomas at centre half, and Elston, outside left of the Leek club, Lawrence, outside right of Blackburn Etrurians. Rangers started, but the play in the opening half was decidedly uninteresting, neither custodian being seriously threatened for some time. Elston dribbled nicely down, and Dilly, receiving close in, shot hard, but Dickie caught and easily cleared. The Rangers indulged in a superabundance of finesse, their passing being extended to inordinate limits, with the result that many favourable positions were rendered useless by their continual tapping at the ball, when a shot was required. The old Liverpool forward (Walker) was prominent in several raids, his partner, Smith, showing good speed; and from one of his centres Kitchen had to throw away. Against the sturdy defence of Drummond and Speedie, the inharmonious forward line of Everton could make little impression. Dickie rarely being called upon. Smart footwork by Rennie, who received from Neil, led to a fruitless corner; but as in the majority of previous cases, attempts at goal were easily accounted for. The interval arrived without score, but on resuming more vigour was infused into the proceedings. The Rangers raced away, and Kitchen saved splendidly from Hamilton, whilst from a following corner the custodian again cleared effectively. Everton forwards got away on the left wing, and with a slow rolling shot Dilly scored. Five minutes later Hamilton went clean through and equalised, heading the ball into the net as Kitchen came out to clear. Smith put the Rangers ahead with a beautiful shot which just curled under the bar. After this the game slowed down again and continued thus until about ten minutes from time, when Everton forwards made a creditable effort to equalise. Elston raced down and centred grandly to Lawrence, who sent in a capital shot, but Dickie saved cleverly. Another good effort by the Leek player skimmed the bar, whilst a corner forced by Lawrence ended futile. Nothing further was scored, and the Rangers won by 2 goals to 1.
Everton; Kitchen, goal; Henderson and Clarke, backs; Makepeace, Thomas, and Russell, half-backs; Lawrence, Boardman, Sheridan, Dilly, and Elston, forwards. Rangers; Dickie, goal; Drummond and Speedie, backs; Robertson, Neill, and Gibson, half-backs; McDonald,W. Walker, Hamilton, J. Walker, and Smith, forwards.

EVERTON v.  GLASGOW RANGERS
Liverpool Daily Post - Saturday 27 December 1902
A respectable audience of about 6,000 attended at Goodison Park yesterday to witness the friendly encounter between Glasgow Rangers and Everton. The teams which turned out were by no means representative, but they were quite good enough to give an exposition of high-class football. The following were the teams;-
Everton; Kitchen, goal; Henderson and Clarke, backs; Makepeace, Thomas, and Russell, half-backs; Lawrence, Boardman, Sheridan, Dilly, and Elston, forwards. Rangers; Dickie, goal; Drummond and Fraser, backs; Robertson, Neill, and Gibson, half-backs; A. Smith, J. Walker, Hamilton, W. Walker, and Rennie, forwards. Hamilton started for the Rangers, and after one minutes’ play Kitchen had to emerge from his citadel to resist the attentions of J. Walker. The Rangers maintained their aggressive tactics until Fraser put behind. After this Everton made a pretty and speedy move on their left, Elston taking the ball up in fine style, and Dilly putting into the Dickie very smartly at close quarters, but the Rangers’ custodian brought off a really smart save. Soon after the Rangers were intruding, and after Henderson had responded Kitchen came out and caught one from Rennie. Everton now crossed the half-way line, but Boardman was easily robbed by Gibson. The Rangers made a forward move after a goal kick by Rennie, and were also awarded a free kick, but good work by Henderson checked their advance. Up to this point the game was of a decidedly Christmas character, and few exciting incidents had developed. The Rangers came down well in line, but J. Walker’s final shot went a yard wide. A nice sequence of passing on the Rangers’ left resulted in Kitchen handling twice, but neither of the shots was difficult to deal with. Clarke effected a smart clearance from Rennie, and then the home forwards paid a most determined visit to Dickie. Both backs of the Rangers responded to numerous calls, and successfully beat off the attack. The Rangers sailed away on the left and evaded all opposition, and a final drive from J. Walker struck the post. Sheridan next had a good chance of opening the account as he worked his way to Dickie, but got entangled with Drummond, and both men embraced Mother Earth, and Dickie cleared. Dilly now missed a good chance by misplacing, but still Everton kept up the attack, and were unlucky not to score. The game continued to be of an uninteresting character, and much time was cut to waste in midfield in mild exchanges until Rennie made a fine straight drive for Kitchen, which just missed the net by about a yard. The Glasgow men continued to have rather the best of matters, and after Kitchen had saved luckily from Hamilton, a corner fell to the visitors, but it did not prove troublesome. Everton were making a poor show, and what attack there was came from the Rangers, but business did not appear to be meant on either side, although Kitchen had to keep his optics open. A nice centre from Elston resulted in an abortive corner. Half-time; No score. After the interval there were 10,000 spectators present. On the restart, the Rangers put some life into their work, and smart tactics resulted in Hamilton scoring an off-side goal, and a minute after, under extreme pressure, Kitchen brought off a fine save from the same player. A smart attack by the Evertonians resulted in Dilly scoring for Everton. Boardman was next afforded a fine opportunity, of which he made poor use. Hamilton then ran right through and equalised, and soon after A. Smith placed the Rangers in front with a really clever shot.
Result; Glasgow Rangers 2 goals Everton 1 goal.

TODAYS TEAM NEWS
Liverpool Daily Post - Saturday 27 December 1902
Everton v Bolton Wanderers.
League match at Goodison Park; kick-off 2.15.
Everton.- Whitley, goal; Balmer and Crelly, backs; Wolstenholme, Booth and Abbott, half-backs; Sharp, Taylor, Brearley, Settle, and Rankin, forwards.
Everton Combination v Bolton Wanderers Reserve
Lancashire Combination match, at Bolton; train leaves Exchange Station at 11.15; kick-off 2.15.
Everton Combination;- Kitchen, goal; Henderson and Wildman, backs; Clark, Chadwick, and Makepeace, half-backs; Wolfe, Boardman, Bowman, Sheridan, and Dilly, forwards.

EVERTON v.  BOLTON WANDERERS
The Liverpool Football Echo-Saturday, December 27 1902
THE “TROTTERS” OPEN THE SCORE
SHERIDAN EQUALISES
By Pigeon Post and Telephone.
Bolton Wanderers, who visited the Evertonians at Goodison Park this afternoon, appear to be the chopping-block whereon some clubs just now are improving their goal averages. Christmas week is not likely to bring them happy recollections, as Liverpool on Saturday castigated them to the tune of 5 goals to 1, whilst yesterday Sheffield United fairly pulverised then by a 7 goals to 1 victory. A team which has not won a single game, and is quite sure of the wooden spoon, could hardly be expected to attract a large crowd to Everton, though to be sure the “position of the blues” are badly in want of all the points they can annex. Those who saw the Wanderers perform against Liverpool at Anfield considered they played a good game, and despite their recent heavy labours a good game was anticipated to-day. During the morning the weather was of a delightfully mild charcater for the season of the year, and old Sol smiled benignly as the hour of commencement approached. The spectators commenced to put in an appearance early, and there was every promise of a good gate. The visiting team was very much rearranged, and it was also found necessary to make alterations in the lot to do duty for Everton. The players turned out as follows in the presence of 12,000 spectators;- Everton.- Whitley, goal; Wolstenholme and Crelly, backs; Taylor, Booth (Captain), and Abbott, half-backs; Sharp, Sheridan, Brearley, Settle, and Rankin, forwards.
Bolton.- Thompson, goal; Ostick and Struthers, backs; Boyd, Hanson, and Greenhalgh, half-backs; White, Bell, McKie, Strass, and Wright, forwards.
Booth won the toss, and placed the Bolton man with the sun in their eyes. McKie kicked off, and after a while Brearley broke away, the result being that Thompson had to handle in the first minute. Sharp followed with a smart centre, and Ostick conceded a corner, which took some little trouble in getting away; but the Evertonians came again, Wolstenholme shooting behind. The Wanderers were just allowed to go over the dividing line, when the Evertonians came back strongly, and Ranin came near to making the Wanderers bite the dust. Then a determined attack was made by the Boltonians, who, by means of the centre and right, were for some time dangerous. Finally, however, the Everton defence prevailed, and the Wanderers were sent to the right about, Sharp made a neat move, on his way putting the leather across to Rankin who very smartly transferred to Brearley’s toe, and with a long ground shot he tried to lower Thompson’s colours, but the ball was very wide at the finish. Everton had been doing all the pressing, but were not particularly dangerous, though they had made some good shots that Thompson had twice handled. Then Bolton right than made it down their wing with deadly earnest and Crelly with poor judgment made a rushing move to meet them, but Bell gave it to his partner, and White made a big dash and wound up with a perfect centre, McKie had kept well in line all the time, and was in a grand position when the leather came to him, when Whitley was completely beaten with a beautiful header at close quarters after about eight minutes play. Following some blundering work on the part of the Wanderers, Rankin got away, and a remarkable centre was the result. Sharp dashed in, and here a foul was apparent against one of the Trotters. The free kick was taken by Abbott and when the ball was sent forward Sheridan got his head at work, and soon had the sphere in the net, the equalising goal coming within a quarter of an hour after the start. The restart was marked by some sharp passages but the Evertonians generally had the upper hand, and the wingers eventually made matters very warm for the Bolton defence, one centre from Sharp being missed by Settle when in front of goal. The visitors were now having a fair share of the game, and frequently dashed off in menacing fashion. White especially showing great speed. After White had send a pretty pass some neat work came from Rankin, Settle and Brearley, but the last-named dallied too long, and Hanson robbed him cleverly at the finish, but soon afterwards the Everton men had another opportunity with a very fast shot, but proved wide. Bolton once more took up the attack, and after a tough struggle broke through the Everton half backs, and exhilarating work took place in front of Whittaker, who ran out to negotiate a terrific drive from Strass. Bolton kept the leather well in, and in a few moments McKie dropped the leather just over the top-bar. During these chances Bolton had distinctly hard lines. As the result of a further break-away by the Wanderers, White got clean through on the right and centred. There with no one up in time to meet this, but the ball was slung in again from the opposite wing, and then White headed wide of the goal. At the other end Sheridan worked hard for a goal, following which Rankin hooked in one of his special centres, and after a struggle for possession the Wanderers conceded a corner, from which the Evertonians gained no advantage. Some wild play ensued in midfield, but when the players steadied down a bit Abbott placed nicely, and Rankin went forward again, but with no better result than on the last occasion. Up to this point the form exhibited by the Wanderers was a big surprise to the spectators, who were agreeably surprised to find the game anything but one-sided. This form and play was full of life and dash and at times Whitley and his two janitors were fairly bombarded, and had one or two of the lightning-like shots from McKie and White had direction the Everton custodian must have been beaten. The Wanderers’ combination was not much to speak of but when either of the wings got the leather they lost no time in taking it towards Whitley, who got a rare peppering. On one occasion White fairly and squarely accounted for Abbott and Booth, but Whitley in the first instance judged the situation splendidly, and disponed of a roaster from White, who, however, again came before the Everton custodian was aware of it, and had not. Wolstenholme been just in the right place the keepers of the sticks would have been beaten after all. When the home team made a return move loud claims were made for a penalty in consequence of Sheridan bring fouled, but this was not granted. A moment later the homesters were well placed after a centre from Sharp, but Rankin headed over. Then Thompson saved from Sheridan, following which there were some tremendous attraction in front of the Bolton goal, but the Everton man were unable to score. Good work by the Bolton right was spelled by a wild shot from Hanson, and at the other end a well judged shot from Settle was intercepted by Struthers, the ball nearly rolling in to goal. Rankin was flying along the wing with a rare, good opening when for some unexpectable reason, he came to grass, and the Wanderers were not slow to take advantage of the relief and pay a dashing visit to Whitley, who rushed out a long way to spoil the intentions of Strass. Just at this time the crowd had increased to 15,000, and whilst operations were being carried out in rather lame fashion in midfield the referee’s whistle announced the interval, the score being level, and a very ding-dong game in which little of the scientific had been exhibited on either side but it certainly appeared to be profitable to the visitors. Half-time score; Everton 1 goal, Bolton Wanderers 1 goal.
BOLTON AGAIN BEATEN
When Brearley restarted, it was noticed that Taylor and Wolstenholme had changed places. The Wanderers had the better of the argument at the commencement, White getting in a regular curler, which appeared to be making its way to the corner of the goal when Whitley saved. End to end play ensued, and after a struggle in the centre, Wright broke away and centred, the ball being at length forced over the goal line. Abbott gave Settle and Rankin a couple of chances, of which they failed to take advantage, and then Wolstenholme performed the same service on the right but met with no better response. The visitors continued to be very smart on the ball, and never doubted for an instant when once in possession. Sheridan gave Sharp a nice chance, and the outsider raced away speedily, Ostick prettily kicking over to Sage. From the free kick exciting exchanges followed in front of Thompson, but the Everton forwards could not find an opening, and Settle finally dropped the ball well over the bar. Everton kept up the attack, but found Ostick and Struthers very hard nuts to crack, and on very few occasions did the home front rank get the best of it, with the Bolton defenders, who time after time tackled sturdily, and with excellent judgment. At the other end Taylor and Crelly were been subjected to severe pressure, and Whitley was having an anxious time of it, so persistent were Wright and White on their respective wings. After a while the Evertonians came bowling up the field, and Struthers made a bad miskick, the result being that the Everton left-wingers captured the ball, but they were unable to turn this little advantage to proper account. An advance by Brearley and Sheridan yielded nothing, and disappointment was again evident when, after Sharp had worked in a clever centre Brearley missed an absolute chance, by and by the Wanderers had more of the game, but they could make no impervious on the Everton defence, the only result of their attack being a shot from Boyd. Both sides were now striving strenuously for the lead, but many opportunities were missed in front of goal after dashing play in midfield. A free kick once more put Everton on good terms, but though Sheridan, Brearley and Settle all had chances, Ostick robbed smartly at the finish, but failed to get his man away, and Taylor checked a further effort on their right. Another free kick fell to Everton, and the ball was cleverly placed, but as usual the home lot were too slow, and Struthers cleared with a big kick. At last Sharp got the ball with only Struthers to beat, and whipping round him smartly dashed on for two yards and then steadied himself and with a fine oblique shot he feared the corner of the net, and once more the Evertonians were in front. Forty minutes before full time Sheridan scored a third goal. It was a scrambling movement commenced on Everton’s left and supported by Settle and Brearley, who managed to demoralise the Bolton defence, and Sheridan put the leather through at close quarters, giving Thompson no opportunity of saving. Everton attacked with increased vigour and nearly scored twice over in the next few minutes. White had been an absentee for nearly a quarter of an hour.
Final score Everton 3 goals, Bolton Wanderers 1 goal.
At Goodison Park last season Bolton were defeated by 1 goal to nil.

EVERTON 3 BOLTON WANDERERS 1
December 29, 1902. The Liverpool Courier
With a re-arranged side Bolton wanderers appeared at Goodison-park on Saturday in the return engagement with Everton. On the home side changes had also to be made. On the Everton side Balmer was absent owing to illness, and in his place Wolstenholme appeared, while Taylor resumed his old place, and Sheridan was brought in as inside right. The weather was beautifully fine, but there was not a large “gate” when the game was commenced. The teams were: - Everton: - Whitley goal, Wolstenholme, and Crelly, backs, Taylor Booth (captain), and Abbott, half-backs, Sharp, Sheridan, Brearley, Settle, and Rankin, forwards. Bolton Wanderers: - Thompson, goal, Ostick, and Struther, backs. Greenhalgh, Hanson, and Boyd, half-backs, Bell, White, McKee, Strang, and Wright, forwards. The visitors kicked off with the sun in their faces. In the early stages Taylor was endeavoring to headed the ball when his cranium came in contact with an opponent's foot, and the game was stopped for a little while. Then Everton pressed vigorously and Thompson stopped a good shot by Sheridan. A centre by Sharp resulted in a corner, from which there was a bully in the goalmouth, the ball eventually being kicked away. The Wanderers could not get over the half-way line, and after smart lackling by Abbott, that player sent in a terrific shot, which just went over the crossbar. A sudden breakaway by the Trotters yielded an abortive corner and Everton were again aggressive, though their efforts were not very dangerous, Settle on one occasion being greatly at fault with his marksmanship. The game continued to favour Everton until, suddenly, the Wanderers halves became prominent. McKee out-maneuvered Crelly and, passing to Bell, that player centred cleverly, and McKee banged the ball past Whitley, who had no chance of saving. This was by no means in accordance with the expectations of the spectators, who, however, applauded the efforts of the visitors. The reverse seemed to rouse the Evertonians to greater exertions, and only a few minutes had elapsed when, after Struthers was penalised for tipping Rankin, the ball was nicely placed in the goalmouth by Abbott, with the result that Sheridan headed the equalising goal. The Everton forwards were smarter on the ball than their opponents. Another miskick by Crelly boded danger but this time the ball was passed too far, and Whitley running out of his goal kicked clear. For some time the visiting left wing were very lively, and Wolstenholme and Taylor had all they could do to keep them out. Bell, too, was a conspicuous figure, and more than once held Crelly in difficulties. At this stage the Wanderers were fully holding their own. Then Sharp dashed off on his own, and centred brilliantly, Settle however, shooting wildly over the bar. In a twinkling play was at the other end, and the downfall of the Everton goal appeared imminent, Strang. With a practically open goal, missing a glorious chance. The Wanderers were playing a remarkably, good game, their form at this period not being suggestive of what might be expected from a club that had not won a match during the season. Taylor left the field evidently to have his injury attended to. In spite of his absence the Evertonians carried the ball into their opponents quarters, but Thompson had little to do. Sherdian dashed off, and was going straight for goal when Ostick, but the referee awarded a free kick outside the limits for a previous infringement brought him down within the prescribed area. With Taylor back Everton asserted themselves, and Rankin headed over when right under the bar. Settle also missed a nice opening, while Thompson cleverly negotiated a capital attempt by Sharp at the expense of a fruitless corner. Settle followed with one of his shots. Both ends were visited. Once nice passing between Settle and Brearley gave a beautiful chance to Taylor, who with an open goal lifted the ball high over the bar. Half-time Everton 1 goal, Bolton Wanderers 1. Those who expected a runaway victory for Everton must have been surprised at the game played by the “despised” Wanderers. They had quite as much of the play as Everton and indeed were more dangerous in front of goal. There would be fully 14,000 spectators present when the game was resumed. It was noticed that Taylor and Wolstenholme had charged places. The Wanderers first pressed, but without troubling Whitley. Everton kept their position in the Wanderers half for some time, but the visiting defenders were most tenacious. Gradually the “Trotters” removed the scene of operations and White had a rare chance. Instead of shooting he dribbled the ball over the line and the opportunity was gone. Sharp was getting away on his own, when he was badly tripped by Struthers and the resultant free kick led to a vigorous onslaught on Thompson charge, which had a narrow escape of being captured. Free kick were pretty plentiful, and the quality of the football suffered in consequence, the exhibition being by no means exhilarating. At last Booth was the medium of giving an opening to Sharp, who raced between the backs and finished by planting the ball in the net, quite out of Thompson's reach. This success was received with deafening applause. Struthers again tripped Sharp and was booted by the crowd, Sheridan scored a third goal ten minutes from the finish, and Everton monoplised the play until the end. Final result, Everton 3, Bolton Wanderers 1.

BOLTON WANDERERS RESERVES 1 EVERTON REVERSE 3
December 29, 1902. The Liverpool Courier
Lancashire Combination
At Burnden Park. In the first half the home team played against the wind, Knowles succeeded in beating Kitchen. Boardman equalised, and at the interval the game was 1 goal each. Both sides showed plenty of vigour and Kitchen was severely tested by a shot from a forward and Wolfe and Boardman added goals, and Everton winning by 3 goals to 1.

BOLTON’S USUAL BULLETIN.
Athletic News - Monday 29 December 1902
By Nondescript
It is cold comfort for Bolton Wanderers to be told that they have been the most consistent team  in the League these holidays, having lost every match, but as I  presume that they belong nowadays to the ranks of the “blessed who expect nothing," it is to be  inferred that they have not been disappointed. Their fate being a foregone conclusion in mid-December, the circumstance that they should have been ordered away from home for each of their three Christmas engagements could be treated with solid indifference. And yet this little item in itself might imply that some imp of Misfortune’s bringing up has marked them for its own this season. I have seen them three times since the wane of autumn, and, curiously enough, that little bit of luck which makes such a difference was the sole margin between them and their opponents. On Saturday, while offering but a poor attraction on paper, at Everton, they still drew a crowd of 15,000, gave those good value for money disbursed, and to tell you the truth, I hardly thought they deserved defeat. Of the two sides they had the hardest work in filling up the blanks, injury and illness having crippled both elevens, and the general impression was that the process of breaking the fly on the wheel would figure largely in the programme. Far from this taking place, however, they were as quite as good as the "blues” first half.  When they booked a point on they awoke some of the dreamers in the Everton ranks to a sense of strict business, yet until Greenhalgh made a mistake which cost that third goal, victory for the home ream was never the soft thing which a study of the League table and holiday results made it out be.
TRICK AND TIE
Disdainful treatment of your opponent sometimes incurs the liability a stinging rap over the knuckles, and had Everton, as a result  of their meandering and slipshod movements, from winch their play, on the whole, in attack was never fairly eradicated, lost three goals before half time the castigation would have been merited. Bolton, with the sun in their eyes, shaped their ends with far more life and bustle to begin with, and the goal for which L. Bell raced and put McKee into a scoring position eight minutes from the start was well won. You can imagine that Bolton’s poor position- and they had been annihilated on the two previous days—lent itself to off-handish treatment on the part of the local swells, who commenced the proceedings probably with an idea that they were to be permitted target practice and gallery maneuvers for the greater part the afternoon. This goal, then, of  McKee gave the requisite tone to the entertainment. The crowd welcomed this success of the visitors all the more heartily because it was unexpected. Everton also appreciated it, for were thus early made aware of the fact that a real live opposition was lined up, and not a row of inanimate tubs. Only for a very brief period did the Wanderers enjoy the lead, however, for Sheridan, who had been able to do little but blunder up to then, got into an unmarked position in front of Thompson as Abbott took a free kick and headed through. From this time on the internal the Wanderers, of the two, were the more threaten ng. Bell and Wright, on the extreme wings, behaved really well, though it must be said that the last named enjoyed extra latitude owing to the fact that Taylor, in going for a header, got the full force of an opposing cranium over his right eye, which puffed up as completely as though it had had a "straight left” applied, and in addition to being thus handicapped he was off the field for some time. It was during his absence that M'Kee and Wright allowed a slow ball to roll under their feet not a couple of yards from the posts, and nearest shave in retaliation was when Sheridan, going on apparently for certain score, was bowled over within the penalty area at the other end, and the crowd could not understand when Mr. Campbell, after whistling, simply threw' the ball up. But it  transpired that "Pat’’ went to earth emitting noises loud enough to warrant that he was in distress, and as  he lay there for a few seconds the stoppage came under the section dealing with ordinary casualties.
BEATEN BUT NOT DISGRACED.
The old familiar heading, though it is no use to the Bolton club anyhow at this late stage. They had plied Whitley the oftener with dangerous shots in the first half and they resumed with sufficient vigour to again harass that worthy, who once stopped a ball dead on the line. This half Taylor, one-eyed warrior, had exchanged places with Wolstenholme, and it struck me that Bolton could have operated to more purpose on his “blind side” than they did. For a long time it was a hard struggle for the lead. Brearley, who was none too happy in much that he performed in any part of the field, had the chance of endowing his side, but he was not the solitary delinquent by any means. Eventually Sharp beat Struthers, for pace, steadied himself, and shot a beauty, but the goal which settled the business was a dreadful scramble. A ball which should have been got away without difficulty was fumbled by Greenhalgh, who with his face turned toward his own posts breasted forward as Settle pressed him close, and Thompson was helpless. As frequently happens when two patch work elevens are in opposition, the game was far from being uninteresting its give-at-take character generally tickling the imagination with the idea that something might happen the next minute. I suppose Everton can do better things than this—for I have not seen them previously this season—or else I am thinking that Portsmouth will tie them into knot a few weeks hence. Their forwards were badly held together, and Sharp, though he was invariably dangerous, was distinctly omitted from favourable consideration by his fellows on occasions when had a clear run. Pouncing upon and making the best use of long kicks from behind, he and Rankin were the two most noticeable forwards on their side, just as Bell and Wright caught the eye the oftener in the Bolton attack. Much good football still remains in Sharp, and Struthers saw occasion to overstep the bounds of sportsmanship when paying him the compliment of being the faster man. These trips on the part of the Bolton back—and one practically lost a goal -marred that young man’s general excellences, Rankin has a sweetly pretty style, and belongs to that rare tribe of wing men who can make a sprint and an accurate centre one and the same movement. The Everton forwards varied from being moderately fair pronouncedly bad, being at times slow and slipshod, and the best attacking of the afternoon were, unquestionably those which Bolton displayed prior to the interval, for they pestered Whitley sorely at times. On the other hand a straight had drive at Thompson was an exception, and Settle in particular would be conscious of his faults in this direction. He was “heard from” once, but a solitary roaster from James is a poor afternoon's work.  The Evert on back' also were run through too easily at times to be pleasant to most of the company, and the steadying influence of Balmer’s  presence was sorely needed.  The half-backs on both sides got fair share of what was going on. And Taylor, although at a disadvantage, worked as hard as any. At time when they could have most done with his services Bolton lost White, whose ankle was kicked in a melee round goal, and the luck was all against the visitors. Whitley, the new Everton goalkeeper, had occasion to thank them for trying him fairly well, and though addicted to over-eagerness I  imagine he will quality for inclusion in select circles Everton; Whitley; Wolstenholme, and Crelley; Taylor, Booth (Captain), and Abbott; Sharp, Sheridan, Brearley, Settle, and Rankin.  Bolton Wanderers; Thompson; Ostick, and Struthers; Greenhalgh, Hanson, and Boyd; Bell, White, McKee, Strang, and Wright.  Referee; T. Campbell, Blackburn. 

 A DUEL BENEFIT MATCH
Athletic News - Monday 29 December 1902
By Junius
The directors of the Everton club at their last meeting had under consideration the question of a benefit to Balmer and Wolstenholme, the former of whom has been six and the latter five years with the club.  The sanction of the Football Association was given a fortnight ago, and there are no players in the Everton ranks more worthy of such an honour.  It has been decided to give the pair the net proceeds of the League match with Wolverhampton, which will be decided at Goodison Park on January 17, prox.  Naturally a great deal depends upon what is meant by the terms “net proceeds.” Which will, of course, be considerably influence by what the directors think fit to deduct for expenses from the gross receipts.  There is a splendid opportunity here for them to exhibit a broad generosity of spirit towards two of the most consistent players that a club ever possessed and upon this decision will depend the complete success or otherwise of the affair.  Balmer is I understood far from well, and he has only unable to play at Grimsby on Christmas Day, but he was also unfit, through present at the match, to oppose the Wanderers on Saturday.  Henderson was likewise suffering from a kick received the previous day and Everton’s weakness in defence was never made more manifest. 

THE MENU AT GOODISON PARK.
Athletic News - Monday 29 December 1902
By Junius
This was not of a very exhilarating nature, and two defeats do not prove conducive to a super-exuberance of conviviality at the festive season.  The Combination match with Heywood on Christmas Day ended in favour of the visitors, who were the first team to gain two points in the competition at Goodison Park this season.  Everton gave a very ragged display indeed, and, though they had Bowman away injured for more than half the game, they did not deserve to win for they were exceedingly remiss near goal.  The visitors scored twice through Barlow, their outside left, and they were thoroughly entitled to the honours they gained.  On Boxing Day Everton placed a team in the field to oppose Glasgow Rangers the visitors winning by two goals to one.  The Everton directors considered this was a fit and proper occasion to place an experimental side in the field, and the football witnessed was absolutely devoid of interest, and unworthy of any serious comment.  If this class of play is the only inducement that can be offered by the Everton people on a popular holiday it would be far better to close the place altogether.  I cannot imagine why so many people will pay the money to view such a weak-kneed exhibition of football – well to call it football is so parody the very name of the sport- and I make bold to say that by this latest decision the Everton directors have done more to utterly destroy the so-called “friendly” than any other method they could have adopted.  Three amateurs were included in the side, and Elston of Leek fame, shaped very well, but to discourse on the game would be fare cal.  The Rangers simply toyed with the opposition, and being in a generous mood, only won by two goals to one.  Everton possibly achieved their object in discovering new talent, but at the same time they cast a slight on their public support, which has followed them through thick and thin, that will require some effecting. 

EVERTON REVIEW
December 29, 1902. The Liverpool Mercury
After a very moderate display of football, in which the vanquished quite as capable tactics as the victors, the unfortunate Wanderers of Bolton were beaten for the second time within three days in Liverpool. Neither at Anfield on Christmas Day, nor at Goodison Park, two days later did the Bolton team deserve to be overthrown by such decisive margins as did actually occur, for up to a certain point they were equal in ability to their opponents, but could not make the most of their chances near goal. Against Everton, the Wanderers team was completely re-arranged from that which had been trounced at Sheffield the previous day, while owing to the indisposition of Blamer, and the injury to Henderson, Everton had to reorganise their rear division. The Wanderers were the first to score a capital centre from Bell who easily rounded Crelly, being prettily headed into the net by McKee. Their exuberance was however, but short lived, for five minutes later Sheridan similarly beat Thompson from a free kick well placed by Abbott. Strang, who was presented with an open goal, what time Whitley had been drawn out with the Bolton right wing, made a bad blunder, and a glorious chance was allowed to pass inheeded. But the visitors did not despair, and had quite as much of the play at the home side, Whitley saving splendidly from bell, at close quarters. At the interval the teams were even and curiously enough, this had been the state of affairs at Anfield also. The second moiety destroyed every hope that the Wanderers would gain a victory this year-their first of the season-for Sharp managed to get round Struthers, and racing close in placed his side ahead. Misfortune, as usual began to dog the steps of the Wanderers, for in a tussle near Whitley during which the Everton gaol marvellously escaped capture, White was injured, and was useless for the rest of the afternoon. Sheridan placed the issue which had been hanging in the balance for some time, beyond doubt by scoring the third goal, and thus the Wanderers ended the first half of their League campaign as they had began it, without a solitary victory to their credit, and thereby hange a record, which must require some beating.

Everton's performance was not indicative of much merit, and the half-backs practically saved the situation. The forwards were ragged in their movements, and the most disappointing player in the whole line was Settle, whose performance can be most aptly described as being of a decidedly holiday character. One consequence of his weakness was that Rankin obtained but few opportunities of demonstrating his ability, and the left wing was comparatively a useless appendage to the team. Near goal, the inside player was more remiss than in midfield, and the harmonious working of the front line was thus entirely destroyed. Brearley shaped fairly well in the centre, and Sheridan infused any amount of energy into his work. While Sharp when he could steer clear of the deliberate and often-repeated fouls of Struthers was always dangerous. So persistently did the full back- himself a Liverpool youth-adopt illegal methods to check the speedy right wings that Referee Campbell had to caution him, and whilst not desiring to condone the determined attempt of Sharp a few minutes later to repay his opponent his charge with interest, there was no doubt that the Everton player's patience had become exhausted by the continued hacking be received. There was little about the play of the forwards as a body to excite enthusiasm, and it was only at rare interval that a more than moderate standard was reached. The half-backs, as already stated, were seen to greater advantage, but much of their efficiency was neutralised by the unsatisfactory manner in which the forwards replied to their efforts. The trio were, as a matter of fact, placed between two feeble lines, for they had an even weaker division behind them than in front. The absence of Balmer was severely felt and in the early stages Crelly was beaten with consummate ease by the Bell, who rounded him just when he felt inclined, without apparent difficulty. This part of the team was decidedly mediocre in ability, their tackling being exceedingly weak and their returns by no means well timed or vigorous. Whitley kept goal unfairly good style, but on one or two occasions allowed his zeal to outrun his discretion. Of his earnest intentions there could be no doubt, but it will be necessary in facing a more incisive set of attackers to develop the latter equality. Bolton played surprisingly well considering their hopeless position in the League, but their incessant run of ill fortune must have taken all the heart out of them. Their forwards displayed good combination at times, Bell and Wright being the most conspicuous, though McKee accomplished a vast amount of hard work in the centre. Their halves were only moderate, but the backs kicked sturdily Ostick being the better of the pair for Struthers spoiled his play by resorting to illegal methods of bringing up an opponent. Thompson kept a good goal and really on comparing the team, division by division it is difficult to see where Everton's superiority to the extent of three goals to one, existed. The holiday fare at Goodison Park has been of a decidedly poor character, for the reserves eleven was beaten for the first time at home this season in a combination match, while on Boxing Day, Glasgow Rangers took pity on a wonderful combination which the Everton directors thought fit to place on the field, and were satisfield in winning by a goal.

EVERTON V BOLTON WANDERERS
Yorkshire Post and Leeds Intelligencer - Monday 29 December 1902
This League match at Goodison Park attrached 12,000 spectators. At the outset Everton pressed, but the Wanderers were the first to score, McKee converting Bell's centre. A moment later, following a free kick Sheridan equalised. Afterwards the Wanderers had as much of the play as Everton, but at the interval the score was one all. Play opened pretty even in the second half, until Sharp as the result of a clever individual effort, scored for Everton. During the absence of White, who was injured, Sheridan put on another goal for Everton, who now had by fare the best of play, and won easily by 3 goals to 1.

REFEREES
Athletic News - Monday 29 December 1902
MR. STEPHEN RENNISON CARR
Provincials always nurture the belief that London owes its mightiness to the folks from “the country.” As in commerce and in other walks of life, so, too, in a minor degree in football, which is now serious enough to be regarded as a national institution, many of the Southern football stars spring from the North. One of the oldest referees beyond the Midlands is Mr. Stephen Rennison Carr (usually referred to as Rennie Carr), who entered this world at Bingley, which has produced such Rugby players as Hickson, Broadley, and Barron. From 1877 to 1885 Mr. Carr seldom missed a match as inside right, and he helped to establish the Old Hotspur F.C., he being treasurer. Most of the founders were teachers, and other playing members besides himself were Messrs. N. Whittaker, C. D. Crisp, G.G. Landragin, C. Hardisty, C and J. Sutton, while amongst their opponents was Mr. F.J. Wall, now the secretary of the Football Association. Mr. Wall was the chief means of the Referees’ Association being organised, and Mr. Carr was one of the original members, being assistant secretary for some years. He has been the secretary of the London League (Three Divisions) since 1898, and though not without strong opposition last season he founded the South-Eastern League and also conducts the correspondence for that body. He is also the secretary to the new Society of Association Referees, and was a friendly rival candidate with Mr. Nat. Whittaker for the secretaryship of the Southern League. He, too, occupied a seat in the Council of the London F.A. until the rule debarring referees from accepting fees proved a disqualification. When he commenced refereeing, about 1887. Clubs, except, of course, in Cup-ties, had their own referees, but Woolwich Arsenal set the example in the South of engaging officials not connected with either side. Since others have followed the example of the Woolwich club Mr. Carr has been out almost every Saturday for the last dozen years. He has taken all manner of matches from boys’ upwards, has been on every Southern League ground, has travelled to King’s Lynn and the Isle of Wight, and has taken finals and semi-finals in all the Southern counties cup competitions. Last season he was added to the Football League’s list, and will soon have seen every League club perform. He lives very near to the Crystal Palace, and should the F.A. ever be in a difficulty on the day of the Final his residential qualification should not be forgotten. One of Mr. Carr’s hobbies is his fondness for climbing the mountains in the Lake district. He has been at the summit of Scaw Fell on New Year’s Day, and has crossed most of the passes and seen all the lakes. He has also been a professional chorister for 15 years-seven at St. Peter-le-Poer, Broad Street, and eight at St. Germans, Blackheath. He entered Westminster Training College at Christmas, 1875, and was Queen’s Scholar (No. 5 in a list of over 1,000), and top man at Westminster. He matriculated First Class at London University, and in his Inter. Mus. Bac. In 1889 was one of four in the first class.

SATURDAY’S FOOTBALL
Liverpool Daily Post - Monday 29 December 1902
If Everton’s supporters thought the Blues were going to climb all over the down-trodden Trotters, they were undeceived in the first five minutes’ play. Bolton have been so terribly unsuccessful this season that it evidently mattered little what changes were made in the team, or how it was rearranged; at any rate, it could not make matters any worse, and so a wholesale shuffling was decided upon. The scratch team had very little method, it is true, but individually their energy was remarkable, and at the interval the Everton halves had failed to take their measure. In the centre McKie was far from brilliant and many good passes from the wings went begging, though both White and Wright frequently dashed into the fray from their respective wings, and as Wolstenholme was very shaky at back, the Wanderers’ rushes always had a dangerous look about them, and Whitley had to exercise extreme vigilance. Neither Wolstenholme or Crelly had anything in hand of Ostick and Struthers who were both remarkably smart on the ball, and tackled much more aggressively than the Everton couple. McKie opened the scoring early on for the Trotters, who had been attacking in determined fashion. It was, however, a case of faulty defence on the Everton side, and matters were little better all along, so that a little slice of luck might have advantaged the Trotters considerably. Although the visitors gave anything but a stylish display, it suggested that they ought certainly not to occupy the ignominious position of “wooden-spooners.” After Sheridan had equalised for the Blues, it was expected that their superior form would be forthcoming, but Bolton continued to hold a slight advantage until the interval. The Trotters afterwards slowed down, and seemed to anticipate defeat, and they had good reason to complain of misfortune when their best forward left the field with an ankle beyond temporary repair. Everton then showed them no mercy, and when Sheridan put up the third goal it was all over, and an utterly unscientific, but not uninteresting, game soon came to an end, and with it vanished the Trotters’ last hope of winning a match before the advent of the New Year.

EVERTON v.  BOLTON WANDERERS
Liverpool Mercury - Monday 29 December 1902
This league match at Goodison Park attracted 12,000 spectators. There were changes on both sides, Blamer being the principal absentee from Everton. At the outset Everton pressed, but the Wanderers were the first to score, McKee converting Bell’s centre. A moment later, following a free kick, Sheridan equalised. Afterwards the Wanderers had as much of the play as Everton, and were dangerous near goal. Half-time Everton 1; Bolton 1.
Play opened pretty even in the second half until Sharp, as the result of a clever individual effort, scored for Everton. During the absence of White, who was injured, Sheridan put on another goal for Everton, who now had by far the best of the play.
Result -Everton 3 Bolton Wanderers 1.
Everton.- Whitley, goal; Wolstenholme and Crelly, backs; Taylor, Booth (Captain), and Abbott, half-backs; Sharp, Sheridan, Brearley, Settle, and Rankin, forwards.
Bolton.- Thompson, goal; Ostick and Struthers, backs; Boyd, Hanson, and Greenhalgh, half-backs; White, Bell, McKie, Strass, and Wright, forwards

EVERTON v.  BOLTON WANDERERS
Liverpool Daily Post - Monday 29 December 1902
Played at Goodison Park, before 12,000 spectators being present. Teams;-
Everton.- Whitley, goal; Wolstenholme and Crelly, backs; Taylor, Booth (Captain), and Abbott, half-backs; Sharp, Sheridan, Brearley, Settle, and Rankin, forwards.
Bolton.- Thompson, goal; Ostick and Struthers, backs; Boyd, Hanson, and Greenhalgh, half-backs; White, Bell, McKie, Strass, and Wright, forwards.

Booth won the toss, and placed the Bolton men with the sun in their eyes. McKie kicked off, and, after a while. Brearley broke away, the result being that Thompson had to handle in the first minute. Sharp followed with a smart centre, and Ostick conceded a corner, which took some little trouble in getting away; but the Evertonians came again, Wolstenholme shooting behind. The Wanderers were just allowed to go over the dividing line, when the Evertonians came back strongly, and Rankin came near to making the Wanderers bite the dust. Then a determined attack was made by the Boltonians, who, by means of the centre and right, were for some time dangerous. Finally, however, the Everton defence prevailed, and the Wanderers were sent to the right about. Sharp made a neat move, on his way putting the leather across to Rankin, who very smartly transferred to Brearley’s toe, and with a long ground shot he tried to lower Thompson’s colours, but the ball was very wide at the finish. Everton had been doing all the pressing, but were not particularly dangerous, though they had made some good shots that though they had made some good shots. The Bolton right then made off down their wing in deadly earnest, and Crelly with poor judgment made a rushing move to meet them, but Bell gave it to his partner, and White made a big dash and wound up with a perfect centre. McKie had kept well in line all the time, and was in grand position when the leather came to him, when Whitley was completely beaten with a beautiful header at close quarters after about eight minutes’ play. Following some blundering work on the part of the Wanderers, Rankin got away, and a remarkable centre was the result. Sharp dashed in, and here a foul was apparent against one of the Trotters. The free kick was taken by Abbott, and when the ball was sent forward Sheridan got his head at work, and soon had the sphere in the net, the equalising goal coming within a quarter of an hour after the start. As the result of a further break-away by the Wanderers, White got clean through on the right and centred. There was no one up in time to meet this, but the ball was slung in again from the opposite wing, and then White headed wide of the goal. At the other end Sheridan worked hard for a goal, following which Rankin hooked in one of his special centres and after a struggle for possession the Wanderers conceded a corner, from which the Evertonians gained no advantage. Some wild play ensued in midfield, but when the players steadied down a bit Abbott placed nicely, and Rankin went forward again, but with no better result than on the last occasion. Up to this point the form exhibited by the Wanderers was a big surprise to the spectators, who were a agreeably surprised to find the game anything but one-sided. Good work by the Bolton right was spoiled by a wild shot from Hanson, and at the other end a well-judged shot from Settle was intercepted by Struthers, the ball nearly rolling into goal, Rankin was flying along his wing with a rare good opening when for some unaccountable reason, he came to grass, and the Wanderers were not slow to take advantage of the relief and a pay a dashing visit to Whitley, who rushed out a long way to spoil the intentions of Strass. Half-time; Everton 1 goal, Bolton Wanderers 1 goal.
When Brearley restarted, it was noticed that Taylor and Wolstenholme had changed places. The Wanderers had the better of the argument at the commencement, White getting in a regular curler, which appeared to be making its way to the corner of the goal when Whitley saved. Everton kept up the attack, but found Ostick and Struthers very hard nuts to crack, and on very few occasions did the home front rank get the best of it with the Bolton defenders, who time after time tackled sturdily, and with excellent judgment. At the other and Taylor and Crelly were subjected to severe pressure, and Whitley had an anxious time of it, so persistent were Wright and White on their respective wings. Both sides were now striving strenuously for the lead, but many opportunities were missed in front of goal after dashing play in midfield. A free kick once more put Everton on good terms, but though Sheridan, Brealey, and Settle all had chances, Ostick robbed smartly at the finish, but failed to get his men away, and Taylor checked a further effort on their right. Another free kick fell to Everton, and the ball was cleverly placed, but as usual the home lot were too slow, and Struthers cleared with a big kick. At last Sharp got the ball with only Struthers to beat, and whipping round him smartly dashed on for two yards and then steadied himself, and with a fine oblique shot he found the corner of the net, and once more the Evertonians were in front. Forty minutes before full time Sheridan scored a third goal. It was a scrambling movement commenced on Everton’s left and supported by Settle and Brearley, who managed to demoralise the Bolton defence, and Sheridan put the leather through at close quarters, giving Thompson no opportunity of saving. Everton attacked with increased vigour and nearly scored twice over in the next few minutes. White had been an absentee for nearly a quarter of an hour. Result Everton 3 goals, Bolton Wanderers 1 goal.

EVERTON v  BOLTON WANDERERS
Bolton Evening News - Monday 29 December 1902
Seldom have the Wanderersgivena better exhibition of football than that displayed in the last of holiday matches at Goodison Park on Saturday. Especially after the trying ordeal throughwhich they had passed on the two previous days, and their very disappointing show at Bramall-lane, was nothing less than a revelation, and so favourably were we impressed with their exhibition that we would strongly advocate, as far aspossible, the rejection of the same side for the hard and important matches which lie before the club this week-end. The forwards have never been seen to better advantage this season; the halves wereexcellent, and the backs were grand. In fact, the whole team played an exceptionally good game, but without disparagement to the other parts of the team,the department where thegreatest improvement was shown was in the forward line. Not one of the numerous changes the Wanderers have tried here this season has work with the same effect, and was a happy idea, conceived only at the very last moment, when it was decided to try a line entirely composed of Scotchmen. The line played something more akin to the real football than we have hitherto seen, swinging the ball about more, and playing a much more open and effective game. Especially in the first half they frequently beat the home defenders and they were very unfortunate indeed in not scoring on more than one occasion. This must have been the candid opinion of all who watched the match. The crowd was positively surprised at the display given by the Wanderers, and on every hand it seemed to be a matter of wonderment that they are where they are in the league table. But Liverpool is not the only place where the Wanderers are looked upon as the enigma of the League. Though there maybe room for improvement, the club have not merited their present position by bad play.  They have hardly participated in a single engagement without having one or more of their players more or less seriously injured, and Saturday was no exception. White, on this occasion being the victim, and being off the field when the Evertonians obtained their third goal, which decided the issue. From the previous day the team showed no fewer than eight alterations. Davies, Taylor and Tracey being absentees, through injuries, whilst Freebairn was given a rest. Consequently Thompson reappeared in goal; Hanson made his debut at centre half to allow of
which Greenhalgh moved out to the right, and Boyd figured on the left, whilst amongst the forwards Strang made his first appearance at inside left; McKie came back the centre, and Bell and Wright figured on the extremes. The was;— Thompson, goal; Ostick and Struthers, backs. Greenhalgh,Hanson and Boyd, half backs- Bell,White. McKie, Strang and Wright, forwards.Without entering Into the details of the play the game was splendidly contested, and, especially in the first half, of a most interesting description, fast and hard brimful of incident. The dazzling rays of a bright sun bothered the Wanderers to some extent, but once they got under way, they unmistakably played the better game, and when McKie gave them the lead the crowd could not refrain from giving them tremendous cheer. It was lovely goal, the centre passing wide out to Bell, who, with a clear field, immediately went off at full speed. When near the goal line he  dropped the ball beautifully in front, and McKie meeting it with his head turned it smartly into the net. Though Sheridan headed an equaliser a few minutes later following a free-kick the Wanderers had the better of the play to the interval, showing some exceedingly good football and having desperately hard lines in not adding to their account on more than one occasion. Whitley effecting one magnificent save from Bell and twice leaving his charge and kicking sway after his backs had been well beaten. The Wanderers were simply irresistible, the open game adopted by the forwards carrying them along finely, whilst from both extremes both Wright and Bell were constantly dropping in some beautiful centres. On the other hand the home quintette could make impression on the Wanderers' defence, and Thompson had not near so much work as his vis a vis, though on one occasion Sheridan looked all over a scorer when he was overtaken and grassed by Hanson. The crowd appealed for a penalty, but after stopping the game, presumably owing to the Evertonians being injured by the fall, Mr. Campbell, who conducted the game splendidly, threw the ball up. Again in the second half the Wanderers were infinitely more dangerous than their opponents, and twice within the first five minutes came within an ace of scoring. Then Sharp got clean away, and with a hard oblique shot, gave the Evertonians the lead, whilst at a later stage, after the Wanderers had virtually had the ball on their opponents' goal line, in which melee White was badly kicked in the ankle Sheridan put on a third. In clearing Ostick had forced the ball against Hanson, and Greenhalgh endeavoured to hook it over his head. The ball, however, caught his chest, and Sheridan whipping in, planted it into the net, thus giving the Evertonians their victory by three goals to one. They certainly did not deserve it on the play. At the very least and without any exaggeration the Wanderers deserved to draw, and though it may sound like the repetition of an old song, they would have done so had they been a lucky team. They gave could have expected, and one failed to discover any marked discrepancy between the teams. Whitley undoubtedly saved his side, and he on one occasion was very fortunate to again secure a ball from Strang, after it had once slipped out of his hands. He had considerably more work than Thompson, who was never sorely harassed, and it seemed that he might have come out to the ball from which Sheridan headed Everton’s equalising goal. The backs were grand, and suffered nothing in comparison with the home pair. The kicking of Struthers in the first half especially was remarkably fine, and one of the features of the match, and the only blemish-if such it could be styled-on his magnificent display was when Sharp got away and scored the second goal. He was very awkwardly situated, and had he only been able to place the ball into touch the danger would have been averted. With this exception he watched the outsider very closely, and on one occasion Sharp resented his interference in a manner which drew a caution from the referee. Ostick was at somethingapproaching his best, his kicking, like Struthers being grand, whilst his tackling was excellent. The half backs were very good, Greenhalgh, as usual standing out prominently, and giving the Settle-Rankin combination very little latitude. On the opposite side Boyd also showed up exceedingly well, both in tackling and feeding, whilst his footwork was very good, and in the centre, the versatile Hanson also played with much effectiveness. Though they fell away a little in the second half when Wright was suffering with a badly injured hand sustained by a fall, and White was carried off with a bruised ankle, the forwards showed up splendidly, and must have seen the advantage of the wide and open rather than the close passing game they have hitherto played. In that he swung the ball out oftener, and with very good judgment. McKie played a capital game, and the outside play of Bell and Wright could not have seen improved upon. In the first half there was no better forward on the field. Wright employing his trickiness to effect and not to excess and like Bell he centred splendidly. Like White. Strang showed some very good work, which quite justified another trial, and nothing favourable could be said of the whole line than that the club would do well to play the same quintette in the match against Sheffield United on New Year’s Day.

Marshall McEwan
Nottingham Evening Post - Tuesday 30 December 1902
As the result of the Christmas visit of Mr. W. C. Cuff, the secretary of the Everton Football Club, to the North, Marshall M'Ewan, of Glen Cairn, has signed for the Goodison Park Club. He is regarded the finest junior outside left in Scotland, and one of the best Scottish junior internationals. He is 19 years of age. 5ft. 9in. height, and approaching 11st, in weight. He is a smart dribbler, a splendid man in combination, and a grand shot at goal. On New Year's Dayhe will figure on trial with the Everton second team, and may appear in the ranks of the premier eleven on Saturday next or the Saturday following. It is known that the Everton Club is looking out for new blood, and no doubt the capture M'Ewan is only the first of several to follow.

IMPORTANT CAPTURE BY EVERTON
December 30, 1902. The Liverpool Courier
The directors of the Everton Football club are on the look out for new talent, to strengthen their team. Mr.W.C.Cuff the secretary, who spent Saturday watching over a player and been successful on a new outside left, Marshall McEwan of Rutherglen. McEwan is described as one of the best Scottish junior internationals. He is only 19 years of age, and has played for Rutherglen as an amateur; he has now appended his signature to a professional form at Everton. Be side's being a smart dribbler, he centres well, while on the run and is also said to be a fine shoot on goal.

BURY v EVERTON
Liverpool Daily Post - Wednesday 31 December 1902
The directors of Bury Football Club were so pleased with the magnificent victory achieved by the Bury over the Liverpool eleven on Saturday last that they have selected the same team to do duty against Everton at Gigg-lane, on New Year’s Day. This includes Leeming at centre half, where he gave a fine exhibition. Team; Monteith, goal; Lindsay and McEwan, backs; Johnston, Leeming, and Ross, half-backs; Richards, Wood, Sagar, Gray, and Plant, forwards.