EVERTON TO RELY ON YOUNG
Liverpool Echo - Wednesday 01 November 1905
Bee
Just as this page is going to press, I learn that the Everton directors have settled upon Young as next Saturday’s centre forward. Crelley is chosen at left back, and Taylor holds his place. McLoughlin makes the journey to Woolwich as reserve.

FRANK OLIVER
North Devon Journal - Thursday 02 November 1905
Frank Oliver, Everton's new centre forward, is a native of Southampton, 21 years of age, 5ft 11in, in height, and 11st 11lb, in weight.

EVERTON’S VISIT TO PLUMSTEAD.
London Daily News - Thursday 02 November 1905
The Everton team to meet Woolwich Arsenal on Saturday has not yet been officially selected, but there is no reason why the Liverpool club should not be fully represented. Everton will journey to London in readiness for the match to-morrow afternoon, and will stay over Sunday in order to meet Chelsea in a friendly at Stamford Bridge on Monday. In view of the fact that injuries have recently laid aside such prominent members of the Arsenal team as Sharp and Templeton, Saturday’s game has been awaited with some amount of trepidation by the Woolwich supporters, but are able announce that every member of the team is now fit The Arsenal team will be: Ashcroft; Gray and Sharp; Dick, P. R. Sands, and McEachrane; Bellamy, T. T. Fitchie, Coleman, Blair, and Templeton.

EVERTON TEAM
Liverpool Daily Post and Mercury - Thursday 02 November 1905
The Everton directors have settled upon Young as next Saturday’s centre forward. Crelly is chosen at left back and Taylor holds his place. McLaughlin makes the journey to Woolwich as reserve.

BEE
Liverpool Echo - Thursday 02 November 1905
In view of the fact that injuries have recently laid aide Sharp and Templeton, Saturday’s game has been awaited with some amount of trepidation by the Woolwich supporters. Every member of the team is now fit. The Arsenal team will be;-
Ashcroft; Gray and Sharp; Dick, P.R. Sands and McEachrane; Bellamy, T.T. Fitchie, Coleman, Blair, and Templeton.
The young player who performed at centre forward against Oxford University under the nom-de-plume of “A. Smith” turns out to be Bombardier Minter, of the Royal Artillery District Staff. As he is only eighteen years of age, his future is full of promise. The Arsenal have got him to sigh League forms. The annual Arsenal excursion will this season be to Nottingham on the 25th inst. There is also a possibility of one being made on January 20, when Notts County are to be visited.
  “A. Taylorite” would like Everton to try Makepeace at inside right and let “our dear old warhorse, Jocky Taylor, go right or centre half. Surely his long and faithful service deserves some consideration.

McALLISTER
Birmingham Daily Gazette - Friday 03 November 1905
Walsall F.C has signed on a new half-back named McAlister, who last year was given a trial with Everton, and who has played for Clapham and Forest Gate clubs, London.

WOOLWICH ARSENAL 1 EVERTON 2
November 4, 1905. The Liverpool Football Echo
CAPTURE OF WOOLWICH ARSENAL BY EVERTON.
HARD STRUGGLE AND A GOOD VICTORY.
The Evertonians were due at Plumestead to-day in order to fulfil their League engagement with Woolwich Arsenal. They have good reason to remember the Gunners for last year they were literally robbed of two points, through the fog, which stopped, the game within a few minutes of time. When the match was replayed, the home team secured the verdict by two goals to one. This afternoon's encounter was, therefore anticipated with more than ordinary interest. The Everton players left Liverpool yesterday afternoon, reaching the metropolis early in the evening. A quiet night at the theatre was succeeded this morning by seeing some of the sights of the capital, and at noon the men entrained for the somewhat inaccessible Woolwich enclosure. The day was beautifully fine, and this, together was the certainly fast and exciting game, drew a great crowd. Unfortunately for Everton, they were not able to put their full strength in the field. Booth owing to a strained muscle, was forced to sent down and Settle whose leg was not quite right was a doubtful starter. The home side were also handicapped by the absence of Gray, the full-back, and Templeton. It was hoped that the latter would have been well enough to play, but he was declared unfit, and Kemp, a very promising youngster, took his place. Gray's place was occupied by Cross. At the last minute it was decided to play Settle, and as a consequence Taylor went to centre-half back position, and McLoughlin was drafted in to partner Sharp. Just before the game began the weather became rather cloudy and the ground, though in excellent condition, appeared to be rather on the soft side. Prompt on time, the eleven's lined up as follows: - Everton: - Scott, goal, R.Balmer, and Crelly, backs, Makepeace, Taylor (Captain), and Abbott half-backs, Sharp, McLoughlin, Young, Settle, and Hardman forwards. Woolwich: - Ashcroft, goal, Cross, and Sharp, backs, Dick (Captain), Sands, and Macrane, half-backs, Bellamy, Fitchie, Coleman, Blair, and Kemp, forwards, Referee Mr. Farrant, Bristol. Taylor was unfortunate in the spin with Dick, and the visitors started in the face of a gentle breeze. After the opening exchanges the home side made ground on the right, but Crelly cleared finely, and than the Everton right took up the running. Sharp passed beautifully to McLoughlin, but the latter was just too slow for the Arsenal left back who slipped in and cleared finely. It was evident at the outset that both sets of forwards were in deadly earnest for the home left wing once got down, and beating Makepeace Blair put in a splendid shot which passed just outside. A timely punt cleared a second attack on the Everton goal on the past of young Balmer. There was a spell of midfield work, and then the home forwards once more raced down in the direction of Scott, when within shooting range, Coleman put in a beautiful grounded which Scott, only partically cleared, and Blair looked certain, when Balmer came in to rescue in the nick of time, and cleared. It was a very narrow escape for Everton, and the struggle caused the greatest excitement. A beautiful bit of combined work on the part of the Everton halves, and forwards carried the leather to within twenty yards of Ashcroft. Here Settle dropped the ball in his own infrontable fashion, and steadying himself sent the ball spinning into the net right out of the home custodian's reach. This success came within five minutes of the start, and gave the visitors great heart. The home side, however, were distinctly a power to be reckoned with, and for a time the ball was sent from end, of the field in almost lighting like fashion. Great persistence on the part of the home forwards however, gradually got the better of the home halves, and Fitchell, working through passed to Coleman, who headed the ball into the net without giving Scott any chance to grapple with it. Both these goals had three goals had been scored within ten minutes of the start, and the pace with now terrific. The home forwards, were anything a little the cleverer at this time than their opponents, and after Sharp had run down, and shot into Ashcroft's hand the home right raced down, and Fitchie headed the ball inches over the crossbar. Clever work by Makepeace put Everton right wing once more in possession, and a long dropping shot, by Sharp led to a tremendous struggle in front of Ashcroft, the danger being finally cleared by Dick. The Arsenal then got down, and for some time the Everton defence had a very anxious time, but boths Balmer and Crelly were on the best behaviour, and after they had twice cleared their lines, Woolwich missed a great opportunity through Fitchie shooting over the bar. So far the game had been of a pretty even character, and an attempt on the part young to force the pace was spoil by the ball going into touch. This was followed by a breakaway on the part of Bellamy, but Crelly beat him at the finish, and the Blues once more got going. They worked the ball down prettily on the left, and Young but in a neat shot from Settle's pass but it was cleared, and the movement finally ended the Taylor trying a hot shot, which went outside. Following upon more give and take play the home forwards made splendid on the left, but Kemp overran the ball, and it was not long before Everton was again on the warpath. Hardman raced down and finished with a glorious shot, which Ashcroft just pinched from finishing under the bar. The danger however, was not cleared entirely for Abbott rushed up, and shooting with great strength he sent the ball spinning against the crossbar. Fortunate for Woolwich in rebounding into play, and Cross was able to clear. The victors were now enjoying much the better of the argument, and for a considerable time for Arsenal were kept strictly on the defensive. Both sides however, played extremely well, and shots from Settle and Hardman were smartly intercepted. On one occasion Young came very neat to placing his side ahead for taking a pass from Sharp, he shot strongly, but the home custodian was all there, and he cleared with great dexterity the pace was now not quite so fast as at the start, but the balance of play still lay with the Evertonians. Try as they would however they could not fine the net, and a long spell of attacking was followed by a breakaway on the part of the home right. Bell forced a corner off Crelly. This led to an exciting bully in front of Scott, but Macrane sent high over the bar. Once more the visitors took up the running, and both Hardman and Settle were conspicuous to fine footwork. The latter worked his way thorough and passed to McLoughlin, and the inside right shot rather tamely into Ashcroft's arms. Play was now much slower, and the pace among the forwards showed a decided falling off, but there was he diminution of excitement among the spectators. Everton continued to press, and a swift low shot from Young was well cleared, while a second one from Settle was charged down by Cross. Clever work by Taylor and Makepeace stemmed a breakaway on the part of the home forwards and a moment later the Everton lot raced through and Hardman put in a clinking shot which was very smartly deal with by the home custodian. Towards the interval the visitors tried desperately hard to regain the lead, and a judicious pass by Taylor let in Sharp, but his namesake robbed the latter at the last moment. The home forwards attacked in turn on the right, and in the rush Crelly received a nasty knock on the knee which delayed the game for a time. On resuming Sharp race down in fine fashion, but he was closely watched by the Woolwich man beating the same name with the result that the ball was put outside. Still the visitors kept up the pressure, and a corner was forced off Cross, but before this could be taken the whistle sounded for half time. Woolwich Arsenal 1 goal Everton 1 goal. There were fully 24,000 people present when the game was restarted. The home team at once went away at a great pace, and both Balmer and Crelly were called upon to clear in the first minute. The Arsenal however, in the first minute. The Arsenal however were most determined, and swooping down again Sands put in a long shot, which went over. The Evertonians attack in turn, and some dangerous work on the left ended in Abbott getting through and putting a swift low shot, which struck the side of the net. It was soon evident that there was to be no slacking of hostilities for the home forwards again made ground as the result of clever combined work, but the movement came to nothing through Fitchie when in a nice position shooting wide. Midfield work followed and the visitors getting the better of the exchanges the home defence was given rather. An anxious time but McLoughlin was too slow and the defenders had no difficulty in clearing their lines, still the Evertonians kept pegging away, and a fine piece of work on the part of the three inside forwards looked almost certain to be crowned with success when Sharp broke up the combination in the cleverest manner possible. Then followed a most determined attack on the Everton goal, the whole forward line being concerned, but after a tremendous exciting struggle, Balmer beat Blair and Kemp, and the scene of action were removed to the vicinity of the centre line. From here the ball was taken by gradual stages to Ashcroft and Young, who showed some worefully clever dribbling was beaten at the finish by Sharp, and the struggle was resumed in midfield. It was not long before the Blues were once more forcing the game and some pretty work on the right ended in the ball being passed to Young who through perilously near offside managed to placed it into the net amid great excitement. This second success had quite an electrifying effect on the Evertonians who played up splendid, and twice the home goals was in jeopardy. The argument indeed seemed to be going all one way way, but the some team after a time steadied themselves, and a determined attack was made on Scott's charge. Balmer however, stopped the rush, and were was another series of attackers on the home goal. Hardman and Settle putting in some exceptionally fine work, the amateur eventually forcing a corner. This led to another great struggle, but Cross managed to clear, and the hope right wing went down at top speed, but ably to be checked when close in by Abbott. Returning to the attack Bellemy and Fitchie looked extremely dangerous, and they had beaten Crelly when Balmer rushed across and kicked into touch. This led to an exciting bully in front of the Everton goal, and Coleman put in a fine last shot, which Scott fisted from underneath the bar. The Evertonians ran down in fighting trim, and Ashcroft splendidly saved a swift oblique shot from the right at the expense of a corner. This was safely negotiated and, the next movement of interest was a break away by Fitchie, Coleman, and Blair, which ended in the latter heeling the ball into Scott's hands. Woolwich were now pressing rather dangerously, and the Everton goal experienced a very narrow escape, when Coleman shot inches wide of the mark. Coming to the attack again, the home side made things highly uncomfortable for the Blues and Barlow rather luckily charged down a fine shot from Bellemy. Ten minutes from the finish the pace became exceptionally warm, both side striving their to add to the score. On one occasion Sharp centred splendidly, and McLoiughlin ought to have scored, but he just put the ball across the goalmouth. Towards the finish Everton had desperately hard line in not scoring. Sharp raced down and forced a corner which was very finely placed, and from which Abbott struck the upright. In the late minute the home team worked down, but they were unable to pass the Everton backs and a fast and exciting game end, Woolwich 1, goal, Everton 2.

F.E.H.S ? KALEIDOSCOPE
To-dayEverton succeeded in spiking the Arsenal's gun, and upon this achievement they are entitled to the warmest congratulations. The game throughout was hard, fast, and full of incident and tremendously interesting from start to finish. Mr. Phillips Kelso, the courteous Woolwich secretary tells me it is the best exhibition seen on the Arsenal ground this season, and I can well believe him. The Evertonians certainly have rarely played a better of more scientific game, and they were pitted against a team that thoroughly ineffected the art of short passing and smart footwork. The re-entry of Sandy Young into ranks of the Goodison park brigade seemed to act as a tonic to the whole of the Everton side. He was indeed for once in a way, the personification of a medicine man, and the other members of the team played up to him as though they had combined all the superstition of the Red Indian race. I suggest that the yells of the spectators offered adequate local colours in the way of warwhoops. Now to return to the game, let me repeat that it was one well worth travelling to Woolwich to see. The centre of naval and military activity a anything but an easy place to reach, and when you have got there the outlook is not very encouraging. Still when one scores a couple of points one is not over particular about the landscape. By the victory Everton make ample amends for the hard luck experienced last season. The swing of the pendulum, was Everton wards, and when the clock struck 4-30 the visitors retired with two points in their pocket. Taken in a whole, in the first half there was very little to choose between both teams. Both sets of forwards showed marked cleverness and skill, and the command of the ball in many instances was really remarkable. Both the Evertonians and the gunners were playing in the same style, and as a result the spectators were treated to an exceptional exciting display of the Association code. Both sides had slices of ill-luck for whereas the Arsenal had at least two chances of scoring, and in the first few minutes, the victory were unable unfortunately, in Abbott and Hardman failing to realise what judging by the flight of the ball, looked like giving two certain goals. Having drawn first blood, the visitors looked like making matters exceedingly hot for their opponents, but the Gunners were to be down beaten, and the game scarcely ten minutes old when Coleman equalised. Ding-dong work for the remainder of the first portion all led to nothing, and at the interval the division of honours about represented the game. It was in the second forty five minutes that the Evertonians showed their superiority, and when Young placed them ahead they never looked back, and romped home winners in a manner already described. There can be nothing but praise for the whole forward line, the weakest link in which was McLoughlin, Settle in spite of his damaged leg, did some remarkably clever work, and the two outside men played with delightful dash. Taylor restored in the halfback line, proved once more that this is his proper position, and this way he broke up the combination of the home forwards was exhilarating to watch. He was very ably supported by Abbott, who had at least, a dozen potshots at goal, and by Makepeace, Balmer and Crelly both defended well, and Scott once again proved that he is a custodian of tried metal. I have already said that the home side played smart and tricky football, but today they met a team of greater experience, and more cultured tactics. I compliment the Gunners on giving their opponents a gallop which after the full ninety minutes, and congratulate Everton upon the best exhibition away from home this season.

EVERTON RESERVES 3 ST HELENS RECREATION 1
November 4 1905. The Liverpool Football Echo
Lancashire Combination division one (Game 10)
The visit of the present Combination champions to Goodison-park this afternoon promised to provide a keen contest. The visitors brought a good following with them, and altogether their was a splendid attendance when the players faced as follows: - Everton: - Collins, goal, Hill, and Hannan, backs, A.N.Other, Chadwick, and Donaldson, half-back, Birnie, Rankin Oliver, Cooke, and Grundy, forwards. St Helens Recreation: - Rouglet, goal, Turner and Burden backs, Hunter, Martin, and Patten, half-backs, Clarke, Hogan, Roberts, Dagnall, and Evans, forwards. The Blues commenced operations, and the opening moves favoured the visitors. Birnie caused Roughley to handle, and then the Blues came again on the left. Grundy sending outside. There was no mistaking the earnest now of the Recs forwards, who combined determinations with accurate passing with the result that Hill, and Hannan were kept on the defensive for some time. Play opened out and midfield was the order. In attempting to avert danger with a flying kick, Hills slipped and Roberts was presented with an tangible opportunity of opening the account. He shot hard, but inaccurately. Grundy at the other end was favoured with a good opening, and he ran and shot with good judgement, the ball falling on the crossbar, and rebounding into play. Clever forward work by the Recs enabled Clark to centre at the right moment and Roberts with only Collins to beat, shot weakly, and the custodian brought off a clever save. At the other end, Roughley was tested, but came through the ordeal successfully. Roberts netted from Clark's pass, but was ruled offside, Cooke sent in a beauty, which just missed the mark, by inches. So far the game had been evenly contested, both sides had put in any amount of hard work, and a keen struggle was the result. Evans got in a characteristic run, but travelled too far before parting with the ball. A well-conceived and splendidly carried out movement by the whole of the Blues front rank smelt danger to the Recs fortress. Grundy just too late to convert Birnie's pass into what must have been a certain goal. Clark sent in another good centre, which required the merest touch to send into the net. Roberts again failed. From a free kick Clark obtained from Martin, and easily beat Collins from close range. Half-time Everrton nil, St.Helens Rec 1. The second half opened in favour of Everton. Rankin scoring with a grand shot. The Everton forwards were now all over their opponents. Cooke gave Everton the lead, the same player scoring the third goal for the Blues. The closing stages were in favor of the home team who won by three goals to one.

FOOTBALL FEATURES
Liverpool Daily Post and Mercury - Saturday 04 November 1905
Remembering how unlucky the Blues were when last they met Plumstead, all hope they will win. It will be well in the remembrance of readers that fog stopped the game when Everton led by 3-1, and the replay saw Woolwich with. The directors are in a fix as Booth has reported himself unable to make the journey in consequence of strained muscles. This is a big blow to the club, who have been so valuably assisted in victories by the captain of the side. Black is likely to be his substitute and should Settle be unable to play- it is an open matter at present. Rankin would most likely take his place.
Today’s Team arrangements
Everton v Woolwich Arsenal
League match at Plumstead; kick-off at 3 O’clock.
Everton.- Scott, goal; R. Balmer and Crelly, backs; Makepeace, Black and Abbott, half-backs; Sharp, Taylor, Young, Settle, or Rankin, and Hardman, forwards.
Everton v St. Helens Rec
Lancashire Combination match at Goodison Park, 3.
Everton.- Collins, goal; Hill and Hannan, backs; A.N. Other, Chadwick, and Tomlinson, half-backs; Birnie, A.N. Other, Oliver, Cook, and Dilly, forwards.

EVERTON’S REVENGE.
Athletic News - Monday 06 November 1905
By Busy Bee
Woolwich Arsenal lost by Everton by the odd goal in three. They fought hard and well, put up their greatest show this season in fact, and yet, candidly, they deserved defeat. There was talk about the deciding scored by Young, five minutes after the teams had turned round, being offside, and with a small section of the crowd (remarkable in its strength considering the presence of the New Zealanders in the immediate neighbourhood) there was a disposition to attribute the downfall of the Southerners to official mistakes. But really, though one must always have a keen eye on Young in an endeavour to mark contraventions of the offside rule, I think that Scott, who played centre-forward to the exclusion of  Oliver, was all right on this occasion. It was true he raised what was a fine point. To speak with absolute definiteness, however, would be pedantic, but I shrewdly suspect that had Young been penalized Everton would have won all the same. I am deeply conscious of the spirited game shown by the Arsenal, and there was about the team much that called for admiration, but after a close survey of the match, as a whole, Everton were unquestionably the superior side. Really, except to the mere partisan, it did not much matter who gained the day, for as an entertainment the match was vastly better than what we in the South have seen since the advent of September, and was capital sport. The standard of play, too, was more than high. Though the calm, unprejudiced observer saw that the visitors were, as a team, cleverer than the Arsenal, there was a delightful uncertainty as to what would be the end of a hard, grim battle. First there was a terrific hustle by the Arsenal. They hurried and scurried, and generally moved with such purpose that the wonder was that Everton held out. This keenness on the part of Woolwich deserved better results, and it certainly did appear unreasonable luck when the first time the Everton machinery moved with anything like smoothness Ashcroft's goal was captured. The point was out of keeping with what had gone before, but the goal was quite understandable. Settle, with deft movement, twisted and turned until he had bewildered the backs, and the shot he took —a hard, low drive right along the ground- cannoned off the inside of the post over the line. It was a goal after Settle’s heart. It was the fruit of a shot taken unerringly at the right moment- Once in front. Everton played up to their reputation. Certainly they lost the lead almost immediately after it was gained, but there was something about them that made one instinctively feel they would win. The goal which fell to the Arsenal was one of the brightest of the afternoon’s happenings. Fitchie, a great individualist, though he would do well not to hang on the ball so much, ran in corkscrew fashion, with the expectant Bellamy waiting for possession. But Fitchie justified his weakness for dribbling by screwing into the goal from a preposterous position, and Coleman had the ball past Scott in a twinkling. The pace, always great, increased, but as I have said, it was not until early in the second half that another goal came.  Had there been a third for Everton a few minutes afterwards, when Jack Sharp left his namesake standing, the visitors would have got more than they deserved, for the Lancashire cricketer brought the ball right across while on the run, and gave Harold Hardman an absolutely open goal to shoot at. The little man was altogether beside the mark, and then for a goodly spell Coleman, Bellamy, and Fitchie gave the defence little rest. But Everton survived, and left the field happy.  Everton's victory was due to the almost perfect understanding between the middle division and the men in front. Taylor-what a wonder the old Dumbarton man is ! —was by no means the least prominent of the half-backs. Capable apparently of as much work as he was many years ago, he was always in the thick of the fight, but Makepeace filled the eye most. Abbott, as usual, was out to work, and with half a chance did not forget to shoot. Crelley and Balmer, at close quarters, took many risks, but they succeeded in most things they attempted, while Scott did all that was required of him. Of the forwards, Young was just as much as Sands, well as the amateur played, could manage, and his colleagues, of whom Sharp was especially prominent, were more effective, especially as shots than the Arsenal five. Let it be said that neither Cross nor Kemp, the latter played instead of Templeton, who had not recovered from his recent mishap-was in any way to blame for the defeat. Cross played like a class man, and Kemp, with encouragement, should be distinctly useful. I don’t think the Arsenal half-backs are as capable as they were last season. McEachrane, however, was fine, but Dick must conquer a weakness for trying too much. Coleman was really the one great man in the forward line. Even with Taylor at his best he was never really held.   I liked Bellamy and Fitchie, but Blair was weak. Woolwich Arsenal; Ashcroft; Cross, Sharp; Dick, Sands, McEachrane; Bellamy, Fitchie, Coleman, Blair, and Kemp.  Everton; Scott; R. Balmer, Crelley; Makepeace, Taylor, Abbott; Sharp, McLoughlin, Young, Settle, and Hardman.  Referee; A.E. Farrent, Bristol. 

JOHN COLEMAN
Athletic News - Monday 06 November 1905
John Coleman has successfully survived those awkwardly trying, and frequently fatal, buffetings encountered by footballers.  And at present he is probably the most favourably discussed of the Woolwich forwards.  A period of languishing has been followed by undoubted of languishing has been followed by undoubted success, and when one thinks of this young man’s re-entry into First League football –his shooting to the front and his complete explosions of the carefully thought but utterly fallacious judgement of those responsible for the construction and the maintenance of the Plumstead team –it is one of the most remarkable of the season’s phases.  It may be that Coleman as the pivot of the Arsenal, will be unable to live up to what he has accomplished in a period of anxious experiment but there can never be aby doubt of his capacity for playing an honest, untiring spirted game.  The probability is that Coleman will never be what is popularly known as a “star” performer.  I do not think the smooth-faced, perky man from Kettering aspires to such a position.  Varmer Giles would call him “a good level lot.”  He is thorough, and it is his thoroughness that very largely pull’s him through. Judged by bulk, League football would not readily claim Coleman.  He is not thee strapping player to rejoice the heart of the present-day team builder, but there is about Coleman the rare virtue for uncomplainingly “sticking it.”  He is a “little un” who goes the pace, and if he continues as he has begun since he was invited to be the missing link to the Arsenal forward line, he might very well demand a place in the same school as Jones, of Small heath, and Lot, of that prolific tree, who operates on behalf of Manchester City.  Though, as I have indicated, Coleman is hardly reminiscent of the great centres of the past-he is a youngster who is still graduating-he is something more than a mere opportunist.  He is a clever, especially when he is in one of the inside positions.  His control of the ball is more than passing good, but where I think he excels is as a shot, and when he is in his most speculative mood.  He is a player who is not afraid to make mistakes.  He is always after the main chance, and if, in trying to grasp it, he fails –well, he tries again, and it is because he is always striving for something really tangible that I think he will dispel the long trouble which has existed at Woolwich in trying to find a suitable centre forward..  He has certainly put life in what has been a lifeless sort of forward line; and, moreover, although he has always been a conscientious player, he is thought more of today than in the more prosperous days of his association with the chubby Lawrence, with whom he came from Northampton to form the left wing of the “Reds.”  When a player of the inches of Coleman –his pet name is “Tim” probably because he is such a little chap-shows fight, and is prepared to chance his arm with the biggest, his popularity is necessarily great.  And Coleman is a regular bantam.  I have often thought that he is better when he is compelled to bump against a player twice his size and weight.  He is always on the move, and he twists and turns in such a fashion that the opposition rarely knows what he is about.  He is the player who is always bobbing up where least expected.  A hard worker, he only requires sympathy to bring out his fine qualities.  He was successfully launched as a professional when he left Northampton and he played a big part in the promotion of the “Gunners.  He was however, something more than a promising junior when he turned up at Plumstead.  He had first brought offers of good engagements when as a 17-year-old player he figured in the Kettering team.  He joined the club representing his birthplace after serving the banner of St. Philip’s.  The Arsenal did capital business when they brought Coleman from Northampton.  He is still quite a junior in years, has a level head, and is always out to win.  I shall watch Coleman with interest, and hope the promise he has shown in his new role of centre forward will not bring disappointment.  B.B. 

CHELSEA 0 EVERTON 3
Novemebr 6, 1905. The Liverpool Daily Post and Mercury
After their clever victory at Plumstead on Saturday, Everton remained in the Metropolis to fulfil their friendly engagement with Chelsea yesterday. A newly London club can always be relied upon to give their opponents a good game, and yesterday's match was regarded locally as a “very good thing” for Chelsea. Neither team. However, was representative, Everton in view of the importance of their matches, resting several of their players; whilst on the Chelsea side Foulkes and McDermott were notable absentees, the latter expressing a wish not to play against his old clubmates. The weather was in striking contrast to that of the past week and was beautifully fine, and there was a goodly ring of spectators when hostilities commenced. Oliver kicked off for Everton, and after midfield exchanges, Chelsea made ground on the right. After Crelly had been beaten, Hill, who was playing in place of R.Balmer, rushed across and kicked clear in the nick of time. Everton by easy stages moved up the centre, and Oliver, sending out to Hardman, the latter sent in a warm handful, which Byrne only just managed to get away. The next move of interest was a pretty run by Hardman, who completely beat Key and Millar, and was just in the act of shooting when he was unceremously bowled over by McEwan. After Byrne had again saved, Moran and Pearson essayed a run on the right, and Crelly was again in difficulties, when Hill, who was playing a good game, came to his assistance and removed the scene of danger. Play settled down in the Everton half for some time, and here Makepeace was injuried in endeavouring to dispossess Copeland, and Kirwan, and the game was stopped for some time. After a brief stoppage of hostilities, Chelsea once more in close proximity to Scott, and Moran all but scored with a beauty, which just grazed the upright. Chelsea were at this point having rather the best of matters, and but for the sterling defence of Hill and Crelly they must have scored. Eventually Oliver obtained possession and kicked out to Sharp, that player giving Byrne a hot shot. Chelsea's goalkeeper saved at the expense of a corner, and this was only sent away in the nick of time. Towards the interval the game inclined to take matters easy. Half-time No Score. On resuming, Everton attacked strongly, and the Chelseas defence was given a very hard time. Milnar and McEwan were beaten on several occasions. Henderson however, afforded them temporally relief and Young after nearly drawing out the opposing backs, scored with a shot that gave Byrne no chance. After this reverse the home lot had a shot and Scott had to save a hot shot from Copeland, but after a spell of midfield play Everton were again on the aggressive, and Oliver scored a second goal. Everton were now all over their opponents, and almost immediately Hardman who went to partner Sharp. scored third and final goal. Teams: - Chelsea: - Byrne, goal, Milnar, and McEwan, backs, Keys, Henderson, and Watson, half-backs Moran, Pearson, O'Harn, Copeland, and Kirwan, forwards. Everton: - Scott, P.Hill, and Crelly, backs, Makepeace, Booth (Captain), and R.Balmer, half-backs, Sharp, Young, Oliver, McLoughlin and Hardman forwards.

EVERTON’S FIRST WIN FROM HOME
Liverpool Daily Post and Mercury - Monday 06 November 1905
(First 9 lines of newspaper is impossible to read)
It may be hoped that they will continue this victorious policy. Let it at once be said that the visitors thoroughly earned the two points awarded them, and their achievement was all the more creditable inasmuch as the Gunners offered a bold front to their opponents, and shared for a long time the honours of the game. There was considerable anxiety among the Everton directors as to what the ultimate composition of the team should be. Booth, owing to muscular trouble, was unable to make the journey south and Settle was a doubtful starter up to within half an hour of the commencement of the game. At the last moment the little International was found fit to play, and the team was accordingly rearranged by drafting McLoughlin in to partner Sharp and putting Jack Taylor back once more in the centre-half position. It ius significant to notice that the old war-horse showed his aptitude for this place by playing a really magnificent game. Time after time he broke up the combined rushes of Coleman and his wings, and it is quite evidence that the half-back position is Taylor’s metier. From the outset the pace was set at a rattling rate, and both sets of forwards treated the enormous crowd of spectators present to some exceedingly neat and clever foot-work. Both goals were visited in rapid succession, and only seven minutes had elapsed when Settle, taking a well-judged pass from the right scored a capital goal, the shot giving Ashcroft no chance. This reverse appeared to act as an acute stimulant to the home forwards, who went away from the centre-line with obvious determination to either do or die. They did. Keeping up a tremendous bombardment in front of Scott, their persistency was rewarded through Coleman putting in a beautiful shot which sent the leather gliding into the net just under the crossbar. The remainder of the first period continued to be extremely exciting and well contested, and the defence on both sides gave an admirable exhibition of cool and confident tackling. The result was that neither of the attacking forces succeeded in finding the net again, and, as already indicated, when the interval came honours were easy. On crossing over the Arsenal made a bold bid to gain the lead, and for some minutes the Everton goal was in direct jeopardy. The visitors, however, steadied themselves in reassuring fashion and a movement in which the whole front line was concerned terminated in Young coolly placing the ball just out of the home custodian’s reach. After this the Evertonians proceeded to play splendid football, the understanding between the halves and the forwards being delightful to watch, while the defence could not have been better. Smart as the home side were, the visitors were obviously smarter and, holding the lead they had gained, they took good care to keep it, and eventually ran out well-merited winners. It was altogether an admirable exposition of the Association code, and the Woolwich supporters admitted that on the play Everton were fully entitled to the points. The forwards, one and all, played a close-passing game with great effectiveness, though as the same time both Sharp and Hardman put in a number of long dropping centres, which invariably fell well in front of the goalmouth. The amateur and the Lancashire cricketer were, indeed, both at the top of their form, and some of their sprinting was quite electrifying. Settle was in one of his trickiest and most dangerous moods, and if McLoughlin was at times a trifle out of the picture, he, nevertheless, did well. Young once again demonstrated what a remarkably clever centre-forward he is when “I” the vein,” and the way he kept his wings together was, indeed, pleasant to behold. The half-backs maintained their reputations for skill in tackling and adroitness in feeding their forwards, and Makepeace and Abbott were fine supporters to Taylor. The old Small Heath player was particularly aggressive in his onslaughts on the home goal, and he put in quite a dozen long shots any one of which might have scored but for Ashcroft’s watchfulness. Rober Balmer seems to improve every time he turns out, and the way he cleared his lines when danger was highest excited the admiration of everybody. Crelly, too, showed that he is a full-back of courage and resource; whilst Scott dealt with a number of shots that would have beaten a less experienced custodian. One must gave the Arsenal full credit for playing a capital game, and a team possessing less ability than Everton would almost certainly have met with a reverse on Saturday’s form. Their forwards all have a fine turn of speed, and the half-back line was very little behind that of the visitors in its worrying tactics. Sharp as full back, played an exceedingly powerful game, and Ashcroft, as has been indicated, kept goal in a masterly fashion.

WOOLWICH ARSENAL v.  EVERTON
The Sportsman - Monday 06 November 1905
DEFEAT OF THE SOUTHERNERS
The heavy rain that fell on Friday night had a material effect upon the Manor Field on Saturday, for although in anything but a bad state, it was just soft enough to prevent the teams that turned out in this match from giving their best displays. However, a fast and highly interesting game was seen, the play, which was watched by 18,000 spectators, being particularly keen up to the last moment. Everton, the superior team, won by two goals to one, and deserved the victory, but with the Arsenal pegging away in a most determined manner to the end there was always a little uncertainty about the result. Templeton had not recovered sufficiently to partner Blair on the home left wing, his place being again taken by Kemp, and Cross associated Sharp at full back. Everton played their advertised side, with the exception that Taylor replaced Booth at centre half, the former’s position at inside right being filled by McLaughlin. Everton’s visit was looked forward to with some interest, for since losing at Bramall-lane they have played in such excellent form that it is though they may succeed in taking a high position in the table. As a matter of fact, even with the advantage of playing at home a win by the Arsenal would have been a capital performance. Last year the Liverpool side had to pay two visitors to Plumstead, for on the first occasion, when leading by three goals to one, fog set in and caused proceedings to come to an end before full time had elapsed. On the replay there was a surprise, for the Arsenal won by two goals to one. Fortunately on Saturday there was no such mishap, and Everton were enabled to gather the spoils of victory. The result was as it should have been, for on the actual play the visitors were always the better side. In their finishing efforts there was more “devil,” and in passing and “robbery” the forwards were infinitely superior. Weakness in the attack led up to the Arsenal’s reverse. Occasionally the home five were nicely together, particularly during the opening five minutes of the second half, when their fast footwork and short dribble caused their supporters to expect a better result, but for the better portion of the game compared with their opponents they were tame. Fitchie, if not quite at his best, did excellent work, and Coleman, in the centre, could not have been improved upon, but the other three were rarely alive to their best chances, and in this respect Kemp and Bellamy were chiefly at fault. They hesitated at the crucial moment, often thereby losing their chances, and at others passed inaccurately. Indeed the absence of Templeton was severely felt. Otherwise the side played well, for both the half-backs and third line were effective. Sharp accomplished some brilliant work, and Sands, at centre half, was at his best. The visitors gave a remarkably consistent display throughout, and from the manner in which they played caused unbiased spectators to come to the conclusion that even if the Arsenal had been at its best Everton would have been good enough to win. The forwards were machine-like in all they did, repeatedly robbing their opponents and slinging the ball across with the greatest precision. Settle being in great form. Both goalkeepers did well, for Scott never made the slightest mistake and Ashcroft but one throughout the slightest mistake and Ashcroft but one throughout the game, and then the brilliance of Sharp saved the goal.
At the start the Reds were very active, for, led by Coleman, they made a vigorous onslaught on the Everton goal and caused a great scrimmage. For some malpractice the referee gave the visitors a free kick, and thus the situation was saved. After this the Everton team settled down, the forwards, with some clean passing, taking the ball to the other end. Cross managed to avert danger when they appeared likely to get through, but Settle, with a very fine low shot at twenty yards’ range, hit the post, the ball curling in and scoring. Roused at this, the Arsenal for a time played very well, the half-backs being in capital trim. The ball was taken down to the Everton end, where Coleman made another fine effort. He was beaten first time, but with Fitchie gaining possession took a pass in capital style and headed through after ten minutes’ play, this equalising the scores. Following this the visitors until the end of the half were usually the better side. The pace was fast, and the ball never for any extended period confined to one end; yet when the Everton men were attacking there was always the greater danger. Once, when Balmer missed his kick, Woolwich looked like getting through, but the other back came to the rescue and saved matters. At the other end Ashcroft was much troubled. After he had once conceded a corner from a free kick he immediately afterwards had to save from a fine punt by Settle, and in the closing quarter of an hour, when Everton were very aggressive, had an uneasy time. Still, at the interval the scores were one each.
After change of ends the Arsenal for five minutes played above themselves. Forcing the pace the football was singularly fast, the ball moving about like a thing of life. The visitors, saving the backs were for a time quite outplayed, but Balmer and Crelly were equal to the occasion, and thus, when the Arsenal’s dash ended, the scores were still the same. Then the visitors again took up the running and were the better side. About a quarter of an hour after the restart Crelly, the back, made a nice run up the field and passed the ball to the half-backs. At this time the Arsenal men were all over the field, and this when Young received at close quarters he experienced no difficulty in beating Ashcroft, who had no chance. Subsequently the play was interesting, for the home team were always working for an equalising goal. Coleman played splendidly, always leading his men, but unfortunately he was not well supported. In the meanwhile Everton were holding their opponents safely and in the end won as stated. Teams;-
Woolwich Arsenal.- Ashcroft (goal), Sharp and Cross (backs), McEachrane, Sands and Dick (half-backs), Kemp, Blair, Coleman, Fitchie, and Bellamy (forwards).
Everton; Scott (goal), Balmer and Crelley (backs), Makepeace, Taylor (captain) and Abbott (half-backs), Sharp, McLaughlin, Young, Settle, and Hardman (forwards).
Referee; Mr. A.E. Farrant.

EULOGY OF SETTLE
Liverpool Echo - Monday 06 November 1905
Bee
It is well to see ourselves as others see us. The London “Chronicle” writer tells of the Everton victory in this manner;- It may be that there were many of the 15,000 people or more who saw the Arsenal endure their first home lose this season who regarded Everton, the victors, very much as successful opportunist. It is true that the first of the two goals which the visitors gained smacked of the effort of the player who chances his luck and that the second was wholly due to the pushfulness of Young. But, judged dispassionately, the men from the North were as a whole, and really oneness in a game at football must tell a tale, a better side than that wearing the colours of the Arsenal.
Everton were a stage removed above the Arsenal. There are high traditions associated with the Liverpolitans. They belong to a great and inspiring school, and except for Aston Villa and Newcastle United, stand alone. They lived up to their reputation on Saturday for the reason that they played the game as it should be played. Arsenal were distinctly good, except here and there. It was only because the team did not round off, as it were, that they were beaten.
The coming of Coleman as the leader of the front is distinctly promising. He is a great little man, and nothing better could be seen than the way he polished off a remarkable centre by Fitchie, and scored the only goal that fell to his side.
For five out of the first seven minutes, Everton were almost continually fighting against odds, and then the will-o-the-wisp Settle got the ball, fiddled about and invited the backs to unceremoniously dispossess him, and when, with characteristic tactics, he had reduced the opposition to helplessness, he shot clean along the ground, struck the upright, and scored. It was a Settle goal from its inception, and only shows how unwise it is to give the little, squat international any licence.
Young took the lead after capital work by McLoughlin. It was a capital match from the start. Settle was a doubtful starter, by the way. He had many a stiff tussle with Percy Sands. Once in front of the stands someone rebuked him for what looked to be an unnecessarily heavy charge by shouting out. “You’re clever enough to do it without that, Settle!” and the little man looked and actually smiled approval. Probably he took the remark as a high personal compliment!
A number of the elite from High Holborn were interested spectators of the game, and it would be interesting to know on whose form the Selection Committee were desirous of forming an opinion. Certainly there were a number of players in both teams well in the running for honours this year. Sharp and Hardman put in some electrifying runs and centres and Young has undoubtedly benefited by his rest.

Everton Too Good for Chelsea.
London Daily News - Tuesday 07 November 1905
Although neither Chelsea nor Everton were at full strength at Stamford Bridge, some interesting play was seen. Everton, who were without Settle, Taylor, and Abbott, won comfortably enough by three goals to none, but Chelsea had a good deal of the game, and with little steadiness in front goal might have scored more than once. Early in the game Byrne, who kept goal for Chelsea in place of Foulke, saved two fine shots in succession from Young and H. P. Hardman, and then Moran twice got away on the right wing. In each case he centred well, but wild kicks sent the ball yards over the cross bar. The game went evenly for some time after this, each side attacking turn. Once Byrne saved cleverly a long, low shot by Sharp. Soon after the change of ends Young scored for Everton, who for time had all the better of masters. At the other end Copeland just missed with a skimming shot, and then from centre Hardman Young put a second goal. There was some fine play Moran after this, but his good centres were wasted, and before the end came Hardman boat Byrne with swift shot close in. The weather was charming.

EVERTON’S EXPERIMENTAL SIDE AT CHELSEA
Liverpool Echo - Tuesday 07 November 1905
BEE’S NOTEBOOK
McDermott expressed a desire not to play in the friendly against Everton. The Blues won by 3-0, Young getting two and Hardman one. The teams were much mixed;-
Chelsea.- Byrne; Millar and McEwan; Kay, Henderson, and Watson; Moran, Pearson, O’Hare, Copeland, and Kirwan.
Everton.- Scott; P. Hill, and Crelley; Makepeace, Booth (It was Black, next day mention in echo) , and R. Balmer; Sharp, Young, Oliver, McLoughlin, and Hardman.
Nothing was scored in the first half, and the Everton men in particular took things very nonchalantly. They made the pace an easy one, and as the Chelsea players were in the same frame of mind, one saw an entertaining, if not very exciting, game. When the opposition is inclined to be lenient it is not difficult to go in for the finer touches of football, but, so far as command of the ball went, Everton were always the master side. Sharp put in one or two lively gallops, but a more friendly game is not the sort of occasion to bring out a man’s real mettle, and the little Lancashire crack’s chief performance was to put in the centre from which Young scored the first goal of the match. It was a glimpse of the real thing. The change of position made no difference to Robert Balmer, for he played a great game, his tackling being remarkably sure.
He also showed excellent judgement in passing to his forwards. Pat Harrower, who refereed, fell in with the friendly spirit of the game, and there were few interruptions.

WHISPERS FROM WOOLWICH
Football Chat and Athletic World-Tuesday 7 November 1905
By “The man on the Spot.”
I cannot, for my own part, say that I was at all surprised that we met with our first defeat from Everton on Saturday last, as everything suggested that this visit of the Liverpool cracks would result in our discomfiture. Everton have always struck me as being a team that often gets less than it is value for, and does not make the same good finish, as teams of considerably weaker resources. If the Arsenal had had their very best team on the field they would have had to play up to their best form to have held their own, and hence, with a weakened front rank, the position became gloomy. The first half suggested how the wind was blowing, for the play was kept for some minutes together in our half, and the wonder was that the visitors did not push home the advantage they certainly possessed in the play.
That they did not do this was due to a very determined defence--a defence which had an immense amount of work thrown upon it during the afternoon, and was more than once hard put to. The two goals scored in the first half came fairly early on. Settle opening the ball with a typical shot, whilst the Reds equaliser was even prettier. Coleman heading the leather into the net from a centre by Fitchie.
From this time on it was a big struggle for the lead, and more than once, but for over-eagerness in the goal-mouth, the Reds must have scored, whilst faulty work by the extreme wingers, who centred when they shouldn't have done and forgot to when they should have put the ball in. spoilt other chances.
One goal only was spread over the second-half proceedings, and that the result of neat work by Settle and Young, the former drawing off all the opposition,  and leaving Young to take a pretty and well-balanced " push "-pass and score easily.
It was a wonder that this lead was not improved upon, and, but for a very fine bit of dash by sharp in clearing, when Ashcroft had failed to secure from a dropping shot which he had come out to meet, No. 3 would have been hoisted. 
The Everton men fell off a lot in the second half, but their defence seemed good enough to keep out our forwards, and in the end we had to own up to a defeat of 2 goals to 1. This is briefly how the game went, and as it is not the function of CHAT to indulge in details, it will serve to show, I think, that we could not well complain of being beaten.
Nor am I at all inclined to criticise very keenly the form of the Reds in this engagement. In the matter of defence, we did as well as Everton, though Ashcroft has been seen in better form, and Cross played with rare dash.
The occasions when all three half-backs play a strong game are few and far between this season. One or the other is sure to be off his form, and it was so on Saturday. I will leave it for you to select whom you like, so you see I am not very particular, am I? On Saturday we had two out of the five forwards playing their own game, and playing it well, and you won't beat Everton, or, indeed, any other team, when three-fifths of your attack is off-colour—or perhaps I should say, below First League standard.
It is quite useless to blink our eyes to one or two very patent facts in connection with the situation as it presents itself to the eye of a close observer, and I imagine that the gentlemen who are responsible for looking after the club's interests will, to some extent, agree with me.
When the season opened —nay, long before it started—l urged most strongly that the secret of real success was to have all the most important positions duplicated, so that when injuries came, as we knew they would, there would be men ready, of equal ability, to step in and thus keep up the strength of the team.
This, unfortunately, has not been done. Perhaps it was not possible on the ground of expense, for stand improvements must have taken up a lot of money, to say nothing of summer wages. What has happened, as it seems to me, is, that instead of "real ready-made goods " being stocked and kept in readiness for use, we have gone just a little too much for the "local junior."
I believe it is a fact that we have just signed up our sixth centre-forward, yet we have not a single one of the bunch (Ducat excepted) to take Coleman's 'place should Tim be injured. Now, no one is a warmer advocate than myself for training local juniors, but I know quite enough about, football to convince me that you might as well expect a toy engine to compete with the scotch Express as to imagine that men of Kemp's stamp are going to jump into First Division football all in the space of a couple of months.

EVERTON TOO GOOD FOR CHELSEA
Daily News (London) - Tuesday 07 November 1905
Although neither Chelsea nor Everton were at full strength at Stamford Bridge, some interesting play was seen. Everton, who were without Settle, Taylor, and Abbott, won comfortably enough by three goals to none, but Chelsea had a good deal of the game, and with little steadiness in front goal might have scored more than once. Early in the game Byrne, who kept goal for Chelsea in place of Foulke, saved two fine shots in succession from Young and H. P. Hardman, and then Moran twice got away on the right wing. In each case he centred well, but wild kicks sent the ball yards over the cross bar. The game went evenly for some time after this, each side attacking turn. Once Byrne saved cleverly a long, low shot by Sharp. Soon after the change of ends Young scored for Everton, who for time had all the better of masters. At the other end Copeland just missed with a skimming shot, and then from a centre Hardman Young put a second goal. There was some fine play Moran after this, but his good centres were wasted, and before the end came Hardman boat Byrne with swift shot close in. The weather was charming.

VERY FRIENDLY
Morning Leader - Tuesday 07 November 1905
EVERTON TEACH CHELSEA HOW TO GET GOALS
A NEW CENTRE HALF
Chelsea’s endeavours to revive the old-fashioned friendly with the First League clubs deserves to meet with better success. Yesterday Everton’s appearance at Stamford-bridge attracted a crowd of not more than 2,000, and the “Pensioners,” fresh from their multi-goal victory over Barnsley, had to accept defeat by three goals to nil. Such is the big difference between First and Second League football. the game was played in the very friendliest of spirits, and on the whole Chelsea did not deserve to lose by three goals, for they gave Scott plenty to do in the second half. The successor to Richmond Roose was in fine trim, however, and his fisting out would have done credit even to Foulke, who was enjoying himself as a spectator on the handsome grand stand, where so many handsome ladies love to congregate when a match is on at Chelsea. The home team were not at full strength, but Henderson, a young centre half from Newcastle, made a promising debut in that position.
A BLANK FIRST HALF
Nothing was scored in the first half, and the Everton men in particular took things very nonchalantly. They made the pace an easy one, and as the Chelsea players were in the same frame of mind we saw an entertaining, if not very exciting, game. When the opposition is inclined to be lenient it is not difficult to go in for the finer touches of football, but so far as command of the ball went Everton were always the master side. It is true that O’Hara, who figured at centre for the locals, once shaved the Everton cross-bar, but, generally speaking, the Northerners did most of the attacking, and Byrne kept himself warm by clearing good shots from Young, Hardman, and Sharp. The last-named put in one or two lively gallops, but a mere friendly game is not the sort of occasion to bring out a man’s real mettle, and the little Lancashire crack’s chief performance was to put in the centre from which Young scored the first goal of the match. It was a glimpse of the real thing, and Fred Spikesley, who was looking on, must have bene reminded of his own centring in the old palmy days.
COPELAND HAPPY AGAIN
Hardman is an amateur and a clever wing forward, who got his cap against Wales last season, but was not too well suited with S.S. Harris as a partner. He is a dashing player, keen on having his full share of the work, and little Key was not quite up to the task of stopping him. Everton had a pretty good side out, and although McLaughlin was not very prominent, Oliver, Young, and Sharp kept things going on the right. Oliver got the second goal with a first time kick at a centre from Hardman, while the latter registered one after Young had dribbled the Chelsea defence into a state of semi-demoralisation. Chelsea might have shot oftener than they did, but such luck as attended their efforts was not encouraging. Copeland, who looks quite happy at getting back to the old partnership with Kirwan, sent in a regular scorcher that just cleared the bar, and Pearson put in one or two clever efforts. Moran capered round busily in spite of Balmer’s half-back attentions, and twice he brought Scott down to his knees to save a stinging grounder. With a less imposing defence than Everton possess the West Londoners must have scored a couple of goals, but they certainly lost to a much better side. Pat Harrower, who refereed, fell in with the friendly spirit of the game, and there were few interruptions. ASTRAL.

CHELSEA v  EVERTON
The Sportsman - Tuesday 07 November 1905
SECOND-LEAGUERS OUTPLAYED
Neither team was at full strength at Stamford Bridge yesterday, Everton resting Settle, Taylor, and Abbott of the team that beat the Arsenal on Saturday, while Foulke, McDermott, McRoberts, and Mackie were absent from the home side. Nevertheless, a capital game was witnessed, and, although Everton did not take things very seriously, they proved themselves superior at all points to the Second-Leaguers and won very easily. Indeed, the combination of the visiting halves and forwards was delightful, and the crowd of 4,000 spectators apparently enjoyed themselves to the full. Everton were first to attack, and it was soon evident that it was their desire to show the crowd their prettiest football. The passing of the forwards and halves was dazzling in the extreme, and one glorious concerted movement resulted in Young giving Byrne a hot drive to stop. The goalkeeper managed to beat the ball down a yard or so by a desperate effort, and the next moment was on his knees repelling a low shot from Hardman, who should certainly have scored. After a time Chelsea got going, and Pearson gave Moran a clever pass, which enabled the winger to get past Crelly. Just as he was steadying himself to shoot, however, he was brought down heavily a few yards from goal. It looked a palpable case for penalty, but the referee for some reason that was not apparent only awarded a corner kick which came to nothing. Although playing out of his accustomed position, the tricky Young led most of the Everton attacks and simply played with Watson. Once Hardman went clean through the Chelsea defence, but he hesitated in shooting, and McEwan, dashing up, bowled him over like a ninepin. The next moment Chelsea got down, and O’Hara had a clear opening, but shot over the bar., several lovely centres from Hardman went a-begging, and certainly Everton failed to make the most of their chances, for they were always having the best of the game. Moran did some smart things on the Chelsea right, but the home forwards were generally all at sea, and both O’Hara and Pearson missed an open goal.
When the teams crossed over Everton got going in earnest, and within three minutes of the restart Young took a neat pass from Sharp and banged the ball into the corner of the net. This reverse had a welcome stimulus upon Chelsea, and Scott made a magnificent save from a long curling shot from Moran, while soon afterwards he got rid of a nasty header from Copeland. Hardman should have scored from a flying centre of Young’s, but shot into Bryne’s hands. Key drove the ball just outside the post for Chelsea, and a moment later Byrne saved grandly from Oliver at close quarters. Chelsea’s shooting was erratic, otherwise they should have equalised, for Copeland with only Scott to beat skimmed the bar. Moran dribbled between the backs, but slipped in the act of shooting, and Scott had no difficulty in clearing. A funny incident occurred hereabouts Hardman was sprinting down the field with the ball, when McEwan met and floored him. Hardman decided to get his own back, and promptly charged into McEwan, only to rebound like a ball and again measure his length on the ground, amid shricks of laugher. After the second half had been in progress half an hour Oliver wound up a clever forward movement with a grand goal. Two minutes afterwards Hardman, who was limping, added a third, and then left the field. Towards the close Chelsea rallied, but they failed to get past Scott, and Everton won by three goals to love. Teams;-
Chelsea; Bryne (goal), Miller and McEwan (backs), Key, Henderson, and Watson (half-backs), Moran, Pearson, O’Hara, Copeland, and Kirwan (forwards).
Everton; Scott (goal), Phill and Crelly (backs), Makepeace, Booth and R. Balmer, (half-backs), Sharp, Young, Oliver, McLoughlin, and Hardman (forwards).
Referee; Mr. P. Harrower.

NEW PLAYER FOR NORTH END
Lancashire Evening Post - Wednesday 08 November 1905
North End have secured the transfer from Everton of H.E. Jenkins, a Liverpool amateur. Jenkins has a reputation as a runner, and he is also a clever footballer. A few weeks ago he played at Deepdale for the Northern Nomads. His position is outside left, and when he gives himself seriously to football in preference to pedestrianism he may easily make a name, for he possesses sapped and skill in a large measure.

BOOTH WILL BE ABSENT FROM EVERTON ANOTHER WEEK
Liverpool Echo - Wednesday 08 November 1905
Bee
Everton have one of the most attractive fixtures in Saturday’s programme. Blackburn are an in-and-out lot, and if they are “in” at Goodison Scott will be tested with severity. The Everton beat down the Birmingham defence last week in surprising fashion. I learn that Tom Booth was not playing at Chelsea, Black being the member. Unfortunately the captain has not sufficiently recovered to allow of his playing on Saturday and therefore Taylor has been chose as centre half, and McLoughlin will act as Sharp’s partner. This is the team;- Scott; R. Balmer and Crelley; Makepeace, Taylor, and Abbott; Sharp, McLoughlin, Young, Settle, and Hardman.
The London Press have said sweet things of our Everton men. Judged upon their latest display, Everton are, if not the idealists of the real football, the team which nearest approaches the ideal (says one of the Southers writers). They play the pure unadulterated game. Certainly the backs, whether Crelley be partnered by Robert or William Balmer, fall short in ability and judgement of the two divisions in front of them, and Scott in by no means the giant in goal as was L.R. Roose last season; but the team as a whole is as near perfection as any I have seen this season. It matters not a jot when Booth is absent at centre half, as was the case on Saturday, great as is the Everton captain. In Taylor, the club possess the wonder of the football age. In the fifteenth first-class season, Taylor is as sprightly as a youth of fifteen, and as untiring as an automaton. Age has left no mark, except that of experience, upon him. Most versatile of all players, too, he is equally effective in almost any position as he was against Woolwich at centre-half. Need I say more of Makepeace than that he is full worthy of his place as Taylor’s right-hand man. And if Abbott falls short of his middle line colleagues, it is only for want of their speed. Truly a wonderful half-back trio. Forward, Settle is still the leader, but no matter could have more apt assistance than he. Settle and H.P. Hardman for England’s left wing, say I.
There may be others as good, but none better. Young, I know, does not always give satisfaction, but there was nothing to complain of in his centre forward work on Saturday. McLoughlin, who came in as reserve partner to Sharp, will not be displaced only to make way for Taylor upon Booth’s recovery. He is a rare twelfth man indeed. Sharp retains his enviable turn of speed and command of the ball, which qualities combined may gain him another international cap this season.

EVERTON AMATEUR FOR NORTH END.
Manchester Courier and Lancashire General Advertiser - Thursday 09 November 1905
The Preston North End directors are endeavoring strengthens their forward rank, admittedly the weakest department in the team. Yesterday they secured the transfer from Everton of H. E. Jenkins, an amateur, who has a good reputation sprinter. He is fast and clever, and few weeks back gave exhibition for the Northern Nomads when playing at Deepdale.

ALL SORTS OF SPORTS
Liverpool Echo - Friday 10 November 1905
Bee
Everton are at home, and do not fear any effect from the counter-attraction; in fact, the officials confidently look forward to an excellent gate. Blackburn Rovers will bring a big following with them, and they are without doubt an attractive side. There will be more than one ex-Evertonian in their ranks, and it will be a matter of great interest to spectators to watch Wolstenholme against the home left, and then the erratic Bowman must always be regarded as an attraction. He puts some high, some low, some as far wide as the corner flag-but many he puts in the net with the force of a gun, and he likes the Goodison ground.
It is a great pity that Tom Booth should again be unable to turn out. He was in fine form up to a fortnight ago. Taylor, of course, will take his place, and McLaughlin- spelt with an “a” you will notice will operate on the right with Sharp.
Everton v Blackburn Rovers
League match at Goodison Park; Kick-off at 2.45
Everton.- Scott goal; R. Balmer and Crelley, backs; Makepeace, Taylor, and Abbott, half-backs; Sharp, McLoughlin, Young, Settle, and Hardman, forwards.
Everton Reserve v Blackburn Reserve
Lancashire Combination match, at Blackburn. 2.45.
Everton.- Collins, goal; Hill and Hannan, backs; Chadwick, Wright, and Donaldson, half-backs; Birnie, Rankin, Oliver, Cock, and Grundy, forwards.

ARSENAL 1 EVERTON 2
Kentish Independent - Friday 10 November 1905
To be perfectly honest with the game between the Arsenal and Everton on Saturday, the better team won. It is no use our creeping sulkily behind the bushes. We cannot talk about men bring crippled in the course of the fray; of fluky goals; of criminally ridiculous referee's decisions. or of any of the old familiar excuses behind which the defeated so often shelter the while they put their aslegurleal fingers to their metaphorical nones and say childish things about their opponents. There need be no nonsense of that sort on this occasion. I hope none of us pretend to believe that the Reds are the best team in the League and that their position on the chart is entirely owing to somebody else's fault. They are fair average stuff, as I believe the season will yet demonstrate, but they are not marvels. In short they are not the equals of Everton.
The Sugarsticks area classic club and the team in composed of classy men— Internationals galore. So far as has been seen at Plumstead this winter, they play the best, the most accurate, the nearest the code football of any combination in the League. They are fairly weighty, they are quick of eye and limb, they set out to do a thing and they do it. and when it is done they waste no time preening themselves. but get on to the next bit of business as quickly as possible. They know their trade—they know what to do with their trade. It was a game without a serious accident, without, according to my reading of it, a suggestion of unfairness, without anything particularly new in tactics without any wonderful experiments in style. But it was lootball, the real, downright honest article, and the 16,000 or so spectators could not have been in the least disappointed in that they had not gone to Blackheath to see the New Zealanders. When you come to think of it, that continuous goal-getting must become wearisome. Of course, we habitues of the Manor Field don't know. We never see many goals. But sometimes we see a good game all the same.
Templeton and Gray were absentees, the latter through a kick from a Birmingham boot. In their places were Kemp and Cross. I am inclined to the opinion that the Archie who deputised for the other Archie was a distinct improvement upon his average show. As a matter of fact, Cross has the ability to rise to the occasion in a remarkable way and on Saturday he exercised that ability. In addition to this, he had no bad luck. Several times when he has played for the first team, after he has been putting up a good game for quite  an extended period, some little unfortunate circumstance has happened in which he has been concerned, and not always blameworthy. Trouble has come and the name of Cross has been associated with it when it has been very little his fault. Fortune gave him a fair show on Saturday, and he reciprocated. I may tell him for his heartening, that some gentlemen who sat behind me, and whose conversation seemed to stamp them Everton directors, were saying some very complimentary things about "that fine big back." Kemp, on the other hand, was the weak man of the team. But there, what do you expect?  It may have been the only thing to do, but it ought not to be the only thing possible, when Templeton is on "the list" to ask an inexperienced lad like Kemp to take the place of an International of high standing. Kemp did his level best. His earnest desire to make the best of everything submitted for his inspection was abundantly evident. He wasted no time in beating opponents unnecessarily, and in that respect somebody else might learn a lesson from him, but there was a reason for that. He has not the speed with which to race a back like Balmer, and so his best hope of parting was in the apace between Makepeace and the other. He was certainly not fed to any alarming extent, but that was because there was often a better place of disposal available. There is no doubt that Kemp has cleverness, and that given and that time, the cleverness will develop into something of good class, but I repeat the job given him was too much to ask of him. This re-opens, of course, the old, old question of the quality Reserves necessary for a First Division team, but we were given at the last annual meeting the policy of a cheap team and that policy was approved by the meeting so there you are. The contest commenced with a hustle, and a bustle, and a rustle, and all this was on the side of the Reds. They just went for it as though their lives depended thereon. Their enthusiasm was refreshing. Everton bided their time. But it was rather a long time they had to bide. The Arsenal had elected to play the open game-they are really coming to remember that it is a valuable style. The result was that they bore down on the enemy like a cavalry charge, and there were occasions when they made those Liverpool backs look very small beer, and Scott had a slice or two of luck in clearing. He is a sound bread and cheese sort of a goal-keeper, but there were no reminiscences of L.R. Roose, except the perpetual reminder that he was not there. It is to the half-backs that the Merseyites have to be  grateful for the fact that our forwards did not score before. The first goal out of the three which made up the total bag for the day was the result of the very first piece of high-class combination the Toffee forwards showed. They had taken some time to settle down, but now they had got the hang of the thing, and only wanted a master shot to complete their machinations. That master was found, and it has often been, in the wily little Settle. Turning and twisting like an eel, he made his opening. and then drove home the argument, low, swift and sure. There was genuine admiration, even from the warmest Arsenal supporter, for so clever a piece of work, and this made the acclamation all the heartier when, directly after, the equaliser came. It was Fitchie who organised the retort, and worked his way through the opposition. At the right moment he gave the ball to Coleman. and Tim's handy nut tipped it into the goal. The tale of the first half was thus, so far as scoring went. the triumph of the small men, for each goal-getter is the midget of his team. It was not for want of attempts that only once more during the game (through Young) a-as there any penetration of the air-space between the timber, for both sets of forwards were untiring in their efforts. One of the best of the missed chances was when Hardman failed utterly to make any material use of a pass which Sharp (Everton) gave him after rounding Sharp (Arsenal). Everton had the greater share of the play towards the close, for they had begun to open out and the Reds had started coming on. If I were asked to state in set terms the difference between the two teams, I should say it was the old story of one side having a perfect, and the other an imperfect understanding between man and man. The passes of the Everton halves were always so beautifully timed, and the expectation of one player towards another was nearly always justified. Our team was made up of good individual men, but there was a tendency on the part of some, notably Bellamy, to stray from the appointed position and to try to do the impossible. Briefly, Ashcroft was “as per,” Sharp grew in favour. McEachrane the half with best judgement, Coleman and Fitchie the most reliable forwards.

WOOLWICH ARSENAL v. EVERTON.
Woolwich Gazette - Friday 10 November 1905
In this contest at the Manor Grounds, Plumstead, on Saturday, enthusiasts had evidently not forgotten the exciting circumstances that surrounded the identical fixture last season, when the visitors, after establishing a mastery, were robbed of victory through the sudden appearance of a dense fog, which caused the game to be abandoned. On this occasion some 20,000 spectators witnessed a Liverpool victory by the narrowest possible majority. When the teams lined up it was noticed that Templeton and Gray were missing from the home eleven, their places being filled by Kemp, the newly-acquired Barking youth, and Cross. Everton were no more fortunate in respect to getting together their strongest team, and chances were given to Young, Taylor and "Bob" Balmer to distinguish themselves. The opening exchanges favoured the home team, and but for the stout defence offered by Scott and his nearest colleagues, some scoring must have ensued, so aggressive were the attempts of Fitchie, Coleman and Blair. The opposing halves seemed suite unable to check this trio, who worked like machinery. A foul against Taylor gave the Reds a splendid opening, but Dick headed just wide of the uprights. Scott continued to do excellent work behind the posts, and once in particular made a splendid save from Coleman. The homesters so far had had the better of the exchanges, but with their opponents settling down to their work matters levelled no more. After some clever work by Taylor and Abbott, the visiting forwards went away in fine style. Eventually Settle received the ball, and threading his way past the home defence, scored a magnificent goal. Ashcroft had no chance of saving the shot, which was a perfect beauty and directed far out of the reach of the custodian. In no way disconcerted with the lead gained by their opponents, the Reds renewed aggressive tactics, and Coleman, who displayed delightful form, kept the forwards well together. Dick checked a break away, and sending on to Fitchie, the last-named made a dodgy run which brought him well within the penalty area. Centring well into the goal mouth, Coleman dashed up, and putting on the required touch, made the scores one all. Only twelve minutes had elapsed from the kick-off, and from then until the interval the game was contested in a manner worthy of such teams. Half-time arrived without any increase on the early registrations. The second portion was fought out with marked keenness, but the high pressure displayed by the Reds during the initial moiety was not quite sustained. The Everton players, on the other hand, played with renewed vigour, and had the best of the play. Young was responsible for giving the visitors the lead, a point which was appealed against for offside. After this, each end received frequent visits, but despite the fine efforts on the part of Coleman, Fitchie and Bellamy, the last score proved to be the limit and a close game resulted with the score :—Everton, 2; Woolwich Arsenal, 1.
Woolwich Arsenal: Ashcroft: Cross and Sharp: Dick, Sands end McEachrane; Bellamy, Fitchie, Coleman, Blair, and Kemp.

TEAM ARRANGEMENTS FOR THIS DAY
Liverpool Daily Post and Mercury - Saturday 11 November 1905
Everton v Blackburn Rovers
League match at Goodison Park. Kick-off at 2.45
Everton.- Scott, goal; R. Balmer and Crelley, backs; Makepeace, Taylor and Abbott, half-backs; Sharp, McLaughlin, Young, Settle, and Hardman, forwards.
Everton Reserve v Blackburn Reserve
Lancashire Combination match, at Blackburn 2.45
Everton.- Collins, goal; Hill and Hannan, backs; Chadwick, Wright, and Donaldson, half-backs; Birnie, Rankin, Oliver, Cook, and Grundy, forwards.

EVERTON v  BALCKBURN ROVERS
Liverpool Football Echo - Saturday 11 November 1905
LEAGUE DIVISION 1
THE ROVERS SCORE FIRST
EVERTON PLAY IN STRIPE JERSEYS AND BLACKBURN IN BLUE AND WHITE
The gallant Rovers, in their best form, must be regarded, either away or at home, as redoubtable and classy opponents, and able exponents of the game, with whom no liberties may be taken. Of course many of the Everton supporters are so wholeheartedly enthusiastic that opposition of any kind fails to shake their optimism, and to such as these, the decisive victory of the Rovers over Birmingham last Saturday brought neither anxiety nor apprehension. The cool student of form recollected many a stern struggle in the past, when the Rovers were not always worsted and particularly that inglorious defeat which is specially chronicled in the archives of the Football Association. Last year Everton had nothing in hand when the Rovers visited them, and only scraped home by a single goal to nil. To-day, at first glance, the Everton right wing seemed the team’s weakest point, as Sharp was an absentee owing to a strain incurred at Woolwich.
There were about 10,000 spectators present when the teams turned out as follow;-
Everton.- Scott, goal; R. Balmer and Crelly, backs; Makepeace, Taylor (captain) and Abbott, half-backs; Rankin, McLaughlin, Young, Settle, and Hardman, forwards.
Blackburn Rovers.- Evans, goal; Crompton, and Cowell, backs; Wolstenholme, Berchall, and Bradshaw, half-backs; Whittaker, Robertson, Davies, Bowman, and Chadwick, forwards. Referee.- Mr. T. Kirkham.
It will thus be seen that Rankin took the place of the cricketer, who is on the injured list. It was a surprise to find the Evertonians robed in striped costumes instead of the time-honoured blue. The toss went against the Everton skipper, and Young kicked off, facing the wind. There was nothing particularly startling in Everton’s first move down, but at the other end Wolstenholme called upon Scott to save. Then a good save by Taylor went abegging, but a few seconds later Young gave the ball to Rankin, who at once came under the notice of the referee. An attack by right and left on the part of the Rovers was fairly pulverised by Balmer, and shortly afterwards the Everton left broke away, and the ball went over the right. Here Rankin swung the ball in, and it was passed across the line. Oliver vainly endeavoured to get in a decent shot. In answer to a rush by the Evertonians Evans got in a big kick and cleared them out, but the homesters steadied themselves and once again pressed forward, Abbott then coming in and sending one of his expresses a yard or so outside the goal. Evans’s goal kick only put Taylor in possession, and he passed back smartly to Settle who kept up the sequence with a pretty one to Hardman. The outside put in to the centre, but Young unable to find an opening, transferred to Rankin, but once more the right-winger failed to do the right thing and Cowen took the leather and his forward punt led to the downfall of Scott, as Chadwick and Bowman proved too much for Balmer, who fell in robbing Bowman, only to see the leather transferred to Chadwick, but the left-winger could not trust himself and shot over to Robertson, from whom Scott cleared weakly, and the same player obtaining possession once more, placed the leather in front of the old Blue, and he netted smartly. The whole movement was the result of masterly combination. A free kick at the Rovers’ goal gave no advantage to the Evertonians, but the ball afterwards went to Taylor, whose serve was completely spoiled by Cameron. Then Davies served his left, Chadwick putting in a capital run, and although hampered by Balmer he got in again and shot wide. A rattling run by Whittaker was followed by a capital centre, and Davies forced Scott to save. In answer to further pressure Scott gave a corner, but this yielded nothing to the attacking party, and shortly afterwards Everton broke away, Young, Hardman, and McLaughlin being very prominent. Hardman forced a corner, and the Evertonians swarmed around the goalmouth. Numerous touches were given to the ball, which at last went to Rankin, who gave Hardman a rare chance almost at the goalkeeper’s feet. The Everton left-winger should have equalised, but he footed very weakly, and Evans managed to scrape the ball away. The Blues at this point did not look like equalising, as the efforts of the front-rank men were of a finking character, and the Rovers left kept breaking away in dangerous fashion. In fact the placing of the home lot was faulty, and the Rovers got too many unintentional passes. After skirmishing in midfield, Taylor put across to Rankin, but again careless play lost the Everton men the ball. Soon after he centred nicely, and Settle had his head in nice position, but Crompton towered over the little man and easily anticipated him. Rankin was soon to the fore again, but only to let Birchell head off smartly. Everton were keeping up the attack in lackadaisical fashion, but did not cause |Crompton much inconvenience, and once more play settled down in midfield. A very bad miss by Balmer let in Bowman and Davies, but Crelley made a magnificent recovery and in the return to the Rovers’ quarters Hardman forced a corner off Crompton and when the ball was sent in the Rovers’ goal had a miraculous escape. A lot of pressure was then put on by the visitors, but all ended in smoke, after which pretty play by Rankin and McLaughlin ended in the first-named centring finely, but when Oliver dashed up to put on the finishing touch Evans rushed out and kicked clear. Taylor, Makepeace, and Settle were responsible for a further attack on the Rovers’ goal, Settle’s weak pass rolling over the line. At the other end the Blue and White nearly scored a further goal. Bowman forced a corner, from which Scott just managed to save his charge with his fist. After a most erratic shot from Chadwick, Abbott gave Young a fine opening, and though the centre had a fairly free opening he elected to put out to Hardman, and the winger made fine progress until he encountered Crompton, who put an end to his pretensions in splendid style. Almost immediately Whittaker got away on his own from the half-way line, but he wound up a promising effort by carrying the leather over the goal-line. Shortly after the Rovers right became dangerous but Abbott was ably covered by Crelley, and the game settled down in the tamest fashion and Rankin is fairly and squarely beaten by Whittaker for speed. A lovely bit of passing by Taylor, Settle and Oliver was spoiled when McLaughlin fell, and when Rankin got the ball he was off-side. However, just afterwards, Everton gained a corner, and a terrific struggle in the goalmouth ensued. They failed to find an opening, although just before the whistle was sounded for half-time, one shot went whizzing by the side of the post, coming from the midst of a crowd of players.
Half-time score.- Blackburn Rovers 1 goal, Everton Nil.
ROVERS PRESS EARLY
EVERTON ATTACK ERRATICALLY
BLACKBURN SCORE CLEVERLY
HARDMAN MISSES AN EQUALISER
TAME SECOND-HALF OPENING
DISAPPOINTING EVERTON DISPLAY
SETTLE EQUALISES
EVERTON WAKEN UP
Davies commenced the second half, Robertson passing back to Birchell. He fed his left wingers but they failed to make any great impression on the Everton defence. The greatest danger rose from a centre by Whittaker, but this was safely accounted for amid loud cries of “Play up Everton.” Rankin darted away down his wing, and afterwards took the ball in the centre, when Crompton easily cleared. The Everton left wingers then had a turn, and pressed the Rovers’ defence to a considerable extent, this enabling Young to out in a shot which forced a corner. From this the Evertonians failed to score, and more puzzling work by the home left led to a second corner, which was likewise unsuccessful. At last the wretched form of the Evertonians was brightened by a fine run by Rankin, who carried the ball along perfectly at his toe, and then passed to little Settle, who was waiting and seemed to steady himself a moment, and the equalising was achieved. This success was received with a great burst of cheering, which was maintained loud and long. The Evertonians now put far more life into their work, and took possession of the Rovers’ territory, but they find the defence opposed to them remarkably stubborn. Young, out on the left, put the leather in front of goal, but there is no “stripe” there. Crelly presented the leather to Young, who headed over to Settle, but Crompton robbed the little man at his ease Birchell had a long shot at the Everton goal, and the homesters put the ball in the net from a corner, but the goal was disallowed owing to Evans being impeded. The Rovers goal had another narrow escape from a second corner. The visitors then broke away, and Davies drove the ball across the goal mouth. A move originated by Taylor, Hardman, and Settle culminated in Abbott scoring Everton’s second goal about a quarter of an hour from the finish. About four minutes from time Rankin scored from a corner and made the victory assured, However, Davies scored another goal for the Rovers before the finish.
Final Result; Everton 3 goals, Blackburn Rovers 2 goals

BLACKBURN ROVERS v  EVERTON
Liverpool Football Echo - Saturday 11 November 1905
LANCASHIRE COMBINATION -DIV 1
Despite unfavourable weather a moderately good crowd witnessed this match at Blackburn. Everton quickly attacked and the Rovers’ custodian had an anxious time. Oliver all but scored from short range, and then the Rovers took up the running, but encountered a stubborn defence. From a centre by Dilly, Oliver scored with a beauty. Oliver was often very conspicuous, and at back Hannan was a tower of strength. The Rovers equalised before the interval, when the score read-
Blackburn Rovers 1 goal, Everton 1.
Final- Blackburn Rovers Reserves 2, Everton Reserves 2

EVERTON SCRAMBLE HOME.
Athletic News - Monday 13 November 1905
By Junius
The game between Everton and the Rovers did not produce a particularly interesting exhibition of football, but the home players, after being well beaten in the first half, pulled themselves together and eventually won by the narrow margin of a goal. Everton had to deplore the absence of Sharp, otherwise the side was the same that defeated Woolwich, and Rankin was deputed to fill the outside right position. The Rovers were at full strength, but the quality of the football shown by both teams was not too exhilarating. Prior to the change of ends the Rovers had slightly the better of the argument and fully deserved to be a goal ahead at the interval.  Their solitary point was cleverly worked for, Bowman receiving a centre from Chadwick and driving into the net without the least hesitation. The visitors seemed like increasing their lead when Davies gained possession close in, but Scott cleverly came to the rescue. Although Everton made occasional efforts, their forwards were weak, and beyond a couple of smart attempts by Hardman and Taylor, they never seemed like wresting the lead from their opponents. After the resumption Everton were fortunate in gaining the ascendency, though they managed to score thrice to the Rovers once. Their equalizing point came from a capital centre by Rankin to Settle, who had an almost open goal, and it is dangerous to trust such openings to the little Inside-left, for he gave Evans no chance. Then Abbott clearly fouled one of the Rovers, but this passed unnoticed, and when the latter retaliated they were penalized. Abbott sent in a stiff shot which curled round the outstretched feet of three or four of the visitors’ backs and entered the net.  Thus Everton secured the lead. This nerved the Rovers, but Scott was very safe, and, from a corner conceded by the visitors’ right-wing, Rankin breasted in a third goal, after Evans had once partially saved. Still the determined Rovers were not finished with, and a very pretty goal ensued when Whittaker centred to Davies, who flashed the ball past Scott the closing stages were decidedly interesting, but Everton retained their advantage, and won by three goals to two. Everton did not give a great display, and they were slightly overplayed during the first half. Their forwards were only mode rate, and they lacked both cohesion and efficiency. Few combined efforts were forthcoming, and the right-wing was of little use. Seldom did the front rank move in anything like concerted fashion, and, though Evans was called upon to stop several stray shots, he was never subjected to a lengthened term of oppression. Not a solitary outstanding figure was there in the forward line, but all did fairly well without being unduly prominent. Everton’s attack was indeed of a very ragged character; and there was not that crispness in their movements that we have been accustomed to witness recently. Had the result been a draw, I think the circumstances of the case would have been fully met. Chief weakness was manifested on the right-wing, and this may to a great extent have exercised a detrimental influence on the attack generally.  Not one of the five played a really satisfactory game, though Hardman put in several dashing efforts, but there was a lack of finish about the attempts of the forwards, which at one time appeared to betoken a possible reverse. In the half back division Makepeace was the most effective, and, though Abbott and Taylor accomplished many smart things, there was likewise in their case a finish lacking, which caused several creditable endeavours to prove unavailing. Further behind R. Balmer kicked splendidly, and Crelley, after a somewhat shaky opening, rendered a capital account of himself, his work in the closing stages being distinctly good.  Scott had little to do in goal, and he was helpless with the shots that beat him. Taken all round, Everton were disappointing, and they never seemed to settle down to a thorough understanding. There was a lack of finish in their advances, which played into the hands of the Rovers’ defence, and had the visitors utilized their chances, they should have averted defeat. It was only at rare intervals that the play reached a high standard. The defence of Cowell and Crompton was extremely sound. I especially liked the play of the former, whose speed and effective recovery frequently extricated him from difficult situations. Crompton was splendid in his clearances, and the Rovers’ full-backs were the most reliable part of the team. In the intermediate line Bradshaw was the shining light, his tackling and placing being particularly clever, but Wolstenholmes and Birchall performed valiantly, and the old Everton player showed that he had lost little of his pristine skill.  Robertson was the pick of the forwards, his footwork being dexterous, and he gave Whittaker several chances which the latter was not slow to utilize. This was by far the strongest part of the Rovers’ attack, although the scoring emanated from the other wing, but the final goal gained by the former was one of the smartest bits of play seen in the match. Had they maintained their form of the early stages the Rovers must assuredly have shared the points. Everton-Scott; R. Balmer, Crelley; Makepeace, Taylor, Abbott; Rankin, McLoughlin, Young, Settle, and H.P. Hardman.  Blackburn Rovers; Evans; Crompton, Cowell; Wolstenholme, Birchell, Bradshaw; Whittaker, Robertson, Davies, Bowman, and Chadwick.  Referee- T. Kirkham, Burslem. 

EVERTON STILL ADVANCING
Athletic News - Monday 13 November 1905
By Junius
By the same margin last season Everton prevailed over the Rovers, and only a goal separated the teams at the finish.  Sharp was unable to turn out owing to an old injury to the muscles at the back of his thigh, and there was some indecision on the part of the directors as to whether they should play Birnie, the Sittingbourne youth, or Rankin.  The latter was decided upon, but he did not show his best form, though this can scarcely be wondered at, considering the few demands which are made upon his services.  Booth was injured at Woolwich, and could not play, with the result that the usual trio of half-backs who performed so creditably last season were again seen in evidence.  It is a curious coincidence that McLoughlin, who operated at inside right has never yet been on the losing side with Everton. 

Everton Hard Pressed by Rovers.
London Daily News - Monday 13 November 1905
Everton defeated Blackburn Rovers in an exciting struggle, at Goodison Park, three goals two. Fast and vigorous football was seen in the first half, during which only one goal was scored, Bowman getting through cleverly for the Rovers. The visitors started the second half in promising fashion, but the Everton defence proved safe. Subsequently the home side attacked strongly, and following several fruitless corners, Rankin centred, and Settle equalized. Abbott and Rankin scored further goals for Everton, and Davis got through for the Rovers.

EVERTON 3 BLACKBURN ROVERS 2 (Game 521)
November 13, 1905. The Liverpool Courier.
A HARD GAME.
Though the margin was only narrow, Everton succeeded in adding to their stuck of points by defeating Blackburn Rovers at Goodison-park. This is what they set out to do, and, having accomplished their object they are to be congratulated, but it cannot be said that they treated the spectators to an exhibition of their best form. Indeed, for at least half the game they were distinctly disappointing, and only a marked improvement in the their stages landed them on right side. All's well that ends well, but still the crowd dearly love to see the Everton men play they classy and effective game of which they are capable. Probably the greasy turf accounted to some extent for their comparative failure. Let us hope that this was the case. At all events, the Rovers were beaten by three goals to two. Singularly
Enough in the corresponding game last season the Rovers were only defeated by a goal, but on that occasion they failed to penetrate the Everton defence.
FEATURES OF THE PLAY.
There can be no question that the Rovers were the better team during the first half of the proceedings. To them fell the only goal during that period, and it was an did Everton player who managed to get the ball past Scott. A centre by Chadwick afforded Bowman, just the opportunity that he was waiting for, and without the slightest hesitation he gave his side the lead. Somehow or another the home forwards could not get into that stride, but this was doubtless largely due to the excellent display of the Rovers halves among whom Bradshaw, and another ex-Evertonian in the person of Wolstenholme were exceedingly prominent. After the resumption Scott was called upon to negotiate a couple of dangerous shots, but then Everton threw more determination into their work and placed the spectators on much better terms with themselves. It was Rankin's centre that Settle obtained the long deterred equalising point. The one which gave them the lead was to say the least decidedly lucky inasmuch as it was the outcome for a foul given against Robertson, who a second previously had himself been fouled by Abbott. Unfortunately for the Rovers the referee did not see the first infringement. Taking the free kick Abbott sent the ball well into the goalmouth, and as far as could be noticed in the falling light, the ball glanced off one of the Rovers defenders into the net. There was no question about the third goal, for which Rankin from a corner was responsible. Undismayed the Rovers made the matters warm for the Everton defence, and than the whistle blew, Davies turned a well centre from Whittaker to good account. Thus it was only after a hard struggle that the Blackburn men had to admit defeat in a game in which there was little to choose between the sides.
THE PLAYERS.
Once againRankin deputised for Sharp, who was suffering from a sprain. In his proper position who substitute gave a very creditable display and besides scoring a goal he flashed the ball across the goalmouth in clever style. Hardman and Settle however, constituted the better wing. The amateur pluckily encountered Crompton, but more than once he was allowed to proceed when apparently in an offside position. Neither Young not McLaughlin was in a happy vein, though each worked hard throughout. There was nothing spectators about the exhibition of the halves. The long shot tried by Abbott and Taylor did not meet with success. but for all that the first line of defence rendered good services. Although faulty in his kicking during the earlier stages R.Balmer improved considerably, and with Crelly proved a thorn in the side of the Rovers attack. Neither Scott nor Evans could be blamed for any of the goals, and Crompton, and Cowell admirably served the losers at back. Still the half-backs line was the most conspicuous part of the Rovers team. Bradshaw in particular playing a really great game. Like Everton the visiting forwards were arractic in front of goal, and Davies fed his wings discretely, and in Robertson, the Rovers possess a clever inside right. Teams : - Everton: - Scott, goal, R.Balmer and Crelly backs, Makepeace, Taylor (Captain), and Abbott half-backs, Rankin, McLaughlin, Young, Settle, and Hardman, forwards. Blackburn Rovers: - Evans, goal, Crompton (Captain), and Cowell, backs, Wolstenholme, Berchall, and Bradshaw, half-backs, Whittaker, Robertson, Davies, Bowman and Chadwick, forwards. Referee Fred Kirkham.

BLACKBURN ROVERS RESERVES 2 EVERTON RESERVES 2
November 13, 1905. The Liverpool Courier
Lancashire Combination Division One (Game 11)
Everton had a stiff task on hand in meeting the Rovers Reserves at Blackburn. The Ewood Park brigade are the leaders of the competition, and in coming away with a point Everton are to be congratulated upon a capital performance especially in view of the fact the Rankin and McLoughlin the most prominent Combination forwards, were doing duty for the League team. The match ended 2-2, and there was very little to choose between the teams. Oliver opened the scoring for Everton, but towards the interval Cameron, one of the Rovers forwards made the scores level. Keenly contested exchanges were the order after the change of ends, but Everton were rather the more dangerous near goal, and that useful forward, Oliver beat Milvor for the second time and once more gave his side the lead. However, from a penalty kick the score was equalised again by Cameron, and nothing further was done. The score represented the punt of the play, the teams beening fairly well matched. Everton's defence was sound and the half-backs all did well. Oliver and Dilly were the best of the forwards, the former being always dangerous when near goal, while the latter put in several good runs and centres. Milvor and Cameron defended stoutly for the Rovers, whose forwards showed good combination on the heavy ground. Everton: - Collins, goal, Hill, and Hannon, backs, Chadwick, Wright, and Donaldson half-backs, Birnie, Dilly, Oliver, Cooke, and Grundy forwards.

EVERTON PULL THROUGH AT HOME
Liverpool Daily Post and Mercury - Monday 13 November 1905
The meeting of Blackburn Rovers and Everton at Goodison Park did not result in a very high-class exhibition, but it was a ding-dong kind of game, brightened at times by flashes of brilliant work. Effective combination was for the most part lacking on both sides, but this is frequently the case when the ground is in bad condition. The absence of Sharp was bound to weaken the attack from Everton’s right wing, and Rankin, who represented the cricketer, was either in careless mood or else the ground puzzled him. At any rate there was very little partnership between Rankin and McLoughlin. Young got on better with the other wing, and the trio tried the short passing game, but in the heavy going they were always safely held by the Rovers’ backs, and were also at a disadvantage with the opposing halves. In the first half practically Everton’s attack was woefully erratic and ineffective. The shinning lights of the Rovers’ attack were Chadwick, Bowman and Davies, and the efforts of the trio were smarter, cleaner, and more methodical than anything which came from the Everton line. Nothing could be more pleasing than the style and execution which brought about the first Blackburn goal. The attack was opened by the left wing, and developed into those rapid exchanges between the wings in front of goal which prove so disconcerting to the custodian. Consequently it was no discredit to Scott to be beaten by Bowman, the old Everton centre evidently enjoying rubbing one in against his old playmates. After the initial score the play, instead of improving, went from bad to worse, and the understanding on both sides was evidently of the haphazard order. Seldom did any tangible result accrue as the result of combined efforts, and the passing and placing on both sides was more often faulty than not. Perhaps the floundering methods of the teams were mainly due to the open method of play adopted by the Rovers, and which resulted in making Scott’s position constantly look more dangerous than  it really was. In the first half the Rovers’ back and forward play was a little superior to Everton’s while the half lines were about equal. In the second half the Everton halves succeeded in turning the tide in favour of their side. Young adopted more forceful methods, and Everton’s attack developed more diablerie without being particularly attractive. A most judicious centre from Rankin enabled Settle to equalise. From this point the outside right’s work showed great improvement and the Everton line excelled in the same ratio, and for the first time during the game the home brigade showed all round superiority. Taylor and Makepeace bustled the Rovers about unmercifully after the equaliser. Their pressure was accelerated by a free kick, and Evans succumbed to the lumbering attack which followed. Prior to this goal the game seemed hanging in the balance- it was simply a question of which side would score and develop enough energy to hold the advantage. This was exactly what came about the Everton. After obtaining the lead they threw off the strange languor which, like some insidious narcotic, had all along seemed to clog their efforts.
The last twenty minutes of the game were not only interesting but exhilarating, and well worth watching. Hardman, who had done exceedingly well, led up to the third goal scored by Rankin. Although two goals behind, the Rovers did not abandon hope, and four minutes from time Davies scored as the result of grand half-back work and a fine centre from Whittaker. Thus did they score first and last, and yet lose after all. It was by no means an uninteresting game, and with five goals scored could not lack incident. But so mediocre was the forward work in style and method that one could not get rid of a feeling of dissatisfaction, if not disappointment.  

BEE
Liverpool Echo - Monday 13 November 1905
Can it be that both our clubs show better form away than at home? Everton made the spectators dreadfully nervous by their exhibition on Saturday in the first half. They were overplayed during this period, because the cared to introduce the short passing game. I was not able to see the first half owing to other engagements, so my impressions of the match were favourable to Everton, inasmuch as they pulled together vigorously and played in distinctly proper style in the half what I happened to be there. Thet saved the best till last and safely overtook the opening stages which fell to Bowman, who drew a bow venture. First Settle got a good point-it is nowadays when a man is faced by goal and scores, because we have seen many missed. Rankin deserved a special word for his sprint and centre, which enabled the inside left to steady himself, aye, he had a second to take stock. Settle is going to top the Blues scoring-board if I mistake. Then came a peculiar happening, penning to have field-glasses on the very top at the very moment, I could not be that Abbott committed a foul, the referee who was not happy in his ruling, failed to see it, and almost instanter Abbott was foul and a free kick was given, which he took and which touched either Birchell’s or Crompton’s foot and passed by Evans. This was on the Rovers, yet, taken the season though and through, I daresay no club has to complain of bad decisions-they was a pretty evenly in the long run.
The third point was the result of Rankin breasting in a corner kick. Not to denied the Rovers went off to score the final goal of the match. Strange is it not, that it should score first and last, and yet not win. They are a lively combination anyway the outside left being the weakest. Whittaker is in rare fettle, and Robertson was lately transferred from Vale of Leven him going as an inside man should. Wolstenholme was the best half back on the losing side, and Cowell has come to stay, and pick up many points from Crompton. It will be invaluable to him. The backs were the outstanding feature of the game. The home right did fairly well  and it came to the conclusion that individualism spelt defeat on the heavy turf and showed great improvement, and fed the wing men judiciously. Settle and Hardman were lively as cats, and made great heading against strong opposition. The half backs was good, Makepeace being the pick of lot, Taylor, who passes more accurately. Both backs and goalkeeper did efficiently, even though Crelley was shaky at corners. To sum up the game full of incident and interest should say the Blues- pardon, Stripes were the better than their bustling adversaries.

THE ROVERS NARROW DEFEAT.
Lancashire Evening Post - Monday 13 November 1905
Had the Rovers experienced the slightest piece of good luck on Saturday they would have obtained a point from Everton. But they were not so graciously treated by Dame Fortune, with the result that they suffered another defeat, and that by the odd goal in five. This reverse is not pleasant to Blackburnians, coming as it does upon their overwhelming triumph over Birmingham. Nevertheless, it can be termed a defeat without disgrace, a defeat due to the referee catching the second sinner in a couple of fouls. When the game commence the Rovers instantly went in for long passing. The ball was swung about, and the tactics which so non-plussed Birmingham gave Everton much anxiety. Whilst the Rovers indulged in the open game, their opponents fiddled  about with the ball. The almost inevitable occurred in that the Rovers scored through the superior tactics they adopted. All went well for a short time during which period vain endeavours were made to increase the lead. The home team, following the example of the Blue and Whites, at length fell in with the Rovers’ long-passing methods, and thrice they came within an ace of scoring prior to the interval.  Upon the resumption the Rovers monopolised the play, but not for long. Rankin, performing in place of Sharp, who was greatly missed in the first half, dropped in a long centre from which it would have been hardly possible for Settle, absolutely unmarked, to have missed.
STORY OF A FREE KICK.
That goal was a good one, as was the second recorded by the same player. It was not the direct goal that I take exception to, but the play that led up to it. Robertson, the Rovers inside right, had doubled back to help the defence. He got the ball and was dribbling towards the touchline when Settle rapped his ankles. This foul- impeded his progress, and the Everton man dispossessed him. Robertson got his own back, so to speak, by tripping Settle. He was seen in the act by Mr. T. Kirkham, of Burslem, the referee, who had not noticed the prior offence a few seconds earlier.  Settle took the free kick with unerring accuracy, and the ball, striking the foot of one of the crowd of players, assembled in front of Evans went off at a tangent into the net. Thus came about the Everton lead. There is not the slightest doubt that the point was a good one. The regret is that the first sinner, Settle, was not caught instead of the second offender, Robertson, who was certainly the aggrieved.
EVERTON TAKE THE LEAD.
Encouraged by this success and the wild cheers of their supporters, Everton went away, and the third point came as the direct result of a corner. Stung by the change of affairs, the Rovers re-asserted themselves and a clever pass from Robertson gave the ball to Davies, who beat Scott. Soon afterwards the whistle sounded with the Rovers pressing hard. Had they infused more spirit into their play earlier in this  half the chances are they would have drawn. There is no denying the fact that the forwards fell off in form after the first half-hour until 15 minutes from the close. Robertson gave an improved display at inside right, some of his passes being very effective and well timed.  On each side the defence was the better part of the team. Taylor did a lot of fine work at centre half; whilst of the home forwards Settle was undoubtedly the cleverest. Cowell gave another fine exhibition at back. He is cool, collected, and energetic.  

BEE
Liverpool Echo - Tuesday 14 November 1905
Facts for local partisans -Everton have played ten matches and Taylor and Hardman have not missed one of them, Crelley, Scott, Abbott, and Settle have each missed one.
Their chief scorers are Settle 7, Oliver 4, Hardman, and Abbot 3 each. The right half would oblige b y opening his account.

EVERTON v  SUNDERLAND
Liverpool Daily Post and Mercury - Wednesday 15 November 1905
Everton’s team to do duty against Sunderland on Saturday next, at Sunderland will be.- Scott, goal; W. Balmer and Crelly, backs; Makepeace, Taylor, and Abbott, half-backs; Sharp, Young, Oliver, Settle, and H.P. Hardman, forwards.

EVERTON INTRODUCE OLIVER AT CENTRE AGAIN
Liverpool Echo - Wednesday 15 November 1905
Bee
Everton’s team to do duty against Sunderland on Saturday next, at Sunderland, will be;- Scott, goal; W. Balmer, Crelley, backs; Makepeace, Taylor, and Abbott, half backs; Sharp, Young, Oliver, Settle, and H.P. Hardman, forwards.
This combination is a curious one. Booth, who has strained his groin, is unable to make the journey, and so Taylor once more figures at centre-half, and Oliver after a period with the reserve since the Bolton match, is reintroduced as pivot, and Sandy Young moves along to partner Sharp, who is now quite well. The experiment of Young and Sharp as a right wing has quite a number of times bene suggested in letters appearing in this column from correspondents, and it will be a matter of great interest to supporters of the club to note the doings of Young on Saturday at Roker, to which place Bruce Rankin will journey as reserve. McLoughlin captains the seconds in their home fixture with Manchester United Reserves.

ASHCROFT
London Daily News - Saturday 18 November 1905
A benefit match of much more immediate date is that which will be played between Woolwich Arsenal and Sheffield Wednesday at Plumstead this afternoon. The proceeds of the game will be given to Ashcroft, the Arsenal custodian, whose popularity may be gauged by the fact that his services are being thus recognized, though he has been with the club only six seasons —the minimum period for which the Football Association allows a benefit game to be played. Ashcroft was transferred from Gravesend United in May, 1900, and since October of that year has been the regular goalkeeper the first team. He had formerly assisted Everton Reserve, but had returned to Gravesend before he became connected with the Arsenal. Ashcroft, who last season assisted the English League against the Irish League, owes his. Popularity not so much to his rare ability as a custodian, but to his amiable disposition.

TO-DAY’S GAMES
Liverpool Daily Post and Mercury- Saturday 18 November 1905
In the Everton team to meet Sunderland Booth’s absence has led the directors to shuffle the forwards. At centre half Taylor appears, and Oliver is introduced to the team in the hope that he will return to his shooting form, and through his inclusion Young is moved to the right. Then W. Balmer is taking his brother’s place. Hardman has not recovered from a knock he received in the Rovers match, and for the first time this season will be unable to assist his side. Rankin is deputising for him.
Everton v Sunderland
League match at Roker Park; kick-off, 2.30
Everton.- Scott, goal; W. Balmer and Crelley, backs; Makepeace, Taylor, and Abbott, half-backs; Sharp, Young, Oliver, Settle, and Rankin, forwards.
Everton Reserve v Manchester United Reserve
Lancashire Combination match at Goodison Park; kick-off 2.45.
Everton.- Walton, goal; Hill and Wildman, backs; Black, Chadwick and Donaldson, half-backs; Birnie, McLaughlin, Wright, Cooke, and Grundy, forwards.

EVERTON’S DISASTROUS VISIT TO THE NORTH
Liverpool Football Echo - Saturday 18 November 1905
A FOGGY DEFEAT FOR THE VISITORS
A DESPERATE GAME BY SUNDERLAND
The Everton team were due to fulfil their first Northern engagement this afternoon, the fixture being with Sunderland. The Wearsiders have performed on indifferently this season that the visitors, not unnaturally, undertook the trying journey in the best of spirits, and, with the anticipation of annexing at least one point, the players left Liverpool under the care of Mr. Horace Wright, one of the directors and Mr. Cuff, the secretary, yesterday afternoon, arriving at the Durham town early in the evening. After a couple of hours at the theatre, the players went early to bed, and did not turn out until late in the afternoon, preferring rest to recreation. In this they were not unwise, for the weather was almost arctic in character. There had bene a keen frost overnight, and this morning the atmosphere outlook was the reverse of promising, for, in addition to the low temperature, there was a threating of fog, and at one o’clock it was quite doubtful whether the game would be played to a finish. There were several interesting changes in the composition of the Everton eleven. For the first time this season Harold Hardman had to stand down owing to an injury to his leg, and his place was filled by Rankin. Oliver reappeared in the centre, and Young partnered Sharp on the right, while in the back division the older Balmer supplanted his brother.
Sunderland like their opponents, had a number of changes in their team. Hogg, who is suspended was of course absent, and two other non-starters were Gemmill and Watson, the latter being on the injured list. The home back division was therefore composed of Bell and Rhodes. The fog was hanging heavily over the enclosure when, in the presence of 10,000 spectators, the players lined up as follow;-
Everton.- Scott, goal; W. Balmer and Crelly, backs; Makepeace, Taylor (captain), and Abbott, halves; Sharp, Young, Oliver, Settle, and Rankin, forwards.
Sunderland.- Webb, goal; Ball and Rhoden, backs; Farquhar, Barrie, and Willies, halves; Bronw, O’Donnell, McKenzie, Holley, and Bridgett, forwards.
The visitors were fortunate enough to win the toss, and Sunderland started with their backs to the partially obscured sun. The Evertonians got the best of the opening exchanges and made capital play on the left, but Bell pulled Rankin up, and the Wearsiders forward line immediately got going in fine fashion, but Crelley was on the qui vive, and he cleared his lines with a huge punt. End to end play ensued and both sets of backs were given plenty of work to do. The mist at the time was so thick that it was extremely difficult to follow the finer points of the game, but it was quite obvious that both sides were straining every nerve to force the pace. A beautiful hit of work on the part of the Everton left, ended in Settle giving the ball to Oliver, but the centre forward was too slow, and Bell was able to rush in and clear with impunity. After this there was a long spell of midfield work, in which neither side showed any especial ability, but at length the Evertonians made clever play on the right and after Sharp had been knocked off the ball by Rhodes Young nipped in and centred very smartly. Settle took the pass and was just about to shout when Bell threw himself into the breach and averted what appeared to be the making of a perfect goal. The Blues were now asserting themselves in the most vigorous style, their footwork on the frosty ground being far in advance of that of their opponents. On one occasion the forwards got going in their most nimble fashion, and Young, putting the ball across to Settle, the little international had a grand opportunity of scoring when he shot high over the bar. During this period the game was going altogether in favour of Everton, but the visitors finished badly, and the three inside men were all at fault in their shooting. A neat bit of work by Farquhar put the home front line in possession, and a strenuous attack was made on the right, but Crelly charged down the shot from O’Donnell, and the situation was saved. Sunderland, however, were now showing great pressure. After Taylor had checked a formidable encroachment by McKenzie, Barry got possession of the ball, and put in a long shot which went sailing over the bar. More play in the vicinity of the central line followed, neat like fashion on the right. Sharp and Young ran the ball down, and the latter, passing neatly across to Settle, that player dodged Bell, and shot swiftly out of Webb’s reach. This reversal seemed to act as a great stimulant to the home side for from the restart they made immediate progress on the right and both Abbott and Crelly had all their work cut out to preserve their lines intact. Still the Wearsiders pressed and O’Donnell, working his way through, put in a warm shot, which Scott threw clear. The home forwards, however, was evidently not to be denied, for their return on the left and Holley with a long range shot, succeeded in beating the Everton custodian in scoring the goal. The Sunderland man hurt himself and he had to retire for a few minutes. After this the game became faster than ever, and though the legs were wore the excitement increased materially when the Wearsiders again attacked strongly in combined order. Both Balmer and Crelly, however, stuck gamely to their guns, and though the latter on one occasion was completely beaten by O’Donnell. Scott was able to clear the final shot. Matters were now going rather badly for the visitors who were kept strictly on the defensive and it looked as though Sunderland were bound to score again when Farquhar spoiled the chance of his side by shooting wildly outside. A short spell of give-and-take work followed, and then Everton tried to make ground on the left, but without success. Bell passed out finely and McKenzie raced away at top speed. He looked like going through when Crelley recovered himself and in desperation put the ball into touch. The subsequent throw-in led to a tremendous struggle in front of Scott but the home forwards were much too dilatory and eventually Taylor sent them to the right about. This next movement of importance and Settle put it came to nothing, the outside man losing possession at the critical juncture. Approaching the interval play slackened off and the footwork on both sides was only in character. The visitors, however were evidently trying hard to regain the lead for they repeatedly broke away and one smart effort on the part of the three inside men terminated in Young just shooting outside. Following this the visitors again got going in promising order, but the home defence was not to be pierced again, and at half-time the score read;-
Sunderland 1 goals, Everton 1 goal.
The game was resumed without the players leaving the field, and from the restart the home forwards ran down finely, but this advantage was altogether nullified by Brown shooting wildly wide of the mark. Still they kept up the pressure with great tenacity of purpose, and a corner was forced off Balmer. This led to are exciting bully in front of Scott, but the danger was eventually cleared, and the visitors not going in the most workmanlike way. Oliver and Young carried the ball well into the enemy’s quarter, and Rankin had fine opportunity of scoring when he shot ridiculously wide of the mark, taking the fullest advantage of this escape the Wearsiders made deliberate tracks for Scott, and the Everton goal was in dire jeopardy. Bridgett put in a nice dropping shot which, Balmer only half cleared, and McKenzie seizing upon the ball netted it without giving Scott a chance of saving his charge. This success was greeted with great cheering, and the home side, thus encouraged, proceeded to play much better football. At the same time there was a certain raggedness about their attacks and more than one opportunity of scoring was lost. After a time Everton made ground on the left, and a free kick close in looked promising, but after an exciting tussle Rhodes saved the situation with a huge kick. The game proceeded at the ease strenuous pace, and, though the weather conditions became gradually worse, there was no diminution in the keen antagonism which the two sides displayed.
Final Result Sunderland 2 goals, Everton 1 goal
Last season-Everton 3, Sunderland 2
“F.E.H” RAW AND WRETCHED
Fog and frost and two points lost. The above couplet, crude as it is, really sums up to-day’s encounter. The weather was raw and wretched, and the football, not to put too fine a point upon it, was not that much better. These of us who are old enough to remember the Titanic struggle between Everton and Sunderland when the game was played in the highest form felt distinctly disappointed at to-day’s display. It is quite true that the fog may have entered the souls of the players, and to a certain extent demobilised them. Certain its is that the game was of a very mediocre character, and never approximated to the best standard, which in seasons gone by was always eagerly anticipated on the banks of the Wear. A frost-bound ground did not look at all inviting, and the players seemed to realise this, for at the outset they were rather chary about coming to close quarters. It was not long, however, before they were warmed to their work, and there were alarms and excursions all over the field. Having once felt their foot, so to speak, the Evertonians speedily gave the chilled spectators a taste of their quality. They waltzed the ball over the turf with admirable celerity and despatch, and though the home backs kept out several ugly rushes, it was not very long before Settle opened the scoring with a beauty. This early success was not at all to the liking of the spectators and they urged their own side on in raucous roars, which floated onwards amid the fog. The Sunderland players showed their appreciation of this by bucking up to some purpure and equalising through the instrumentality of Holley, and when the interval came honours were even. The second half was something of a revelation, inasmuch as it showed a tremendous revival on the part of the old League champions. Amid the gathering gloom, they made onslaughter after onslaught upon Scott’s charge, and when McKenzie utilised an opening and placed his side ahead the issue was practically decided. I can quite sympathise with the Everton men showing up rather poorly, because it is obvious that an experiment with a forward line is invariably attended by danger.  In the present case the composition and disposition of the forward line was not a success. Rankin with every desire to do well, was quite out of the picture at outside left, and Oliver failed to reach the standard suggested by his constitutional debut  against Notts County. For once in a way, too, Taylor was below par, and W. Balmer was at times very shaky. It is only fair to Scott to say that he was in no way to blame for the two points registered against him. To cut a long story short, Everton’s visit to the North was in marked contradistinction to that of the Anfield-road rivals, who, it will be remembered, won handsomely at Roker Park. To put the case in a nutshell, it seems to me Everton were done in by a desperate team, striving desperately for points.

EVERTON v  MANCHESTER UNITED
Liverpool Football Echo - Saturday 18 November 1905
LANCASHIRE COMBINATION-DIV 1
There was a spare attendance at Goodison this afternoon, when Wright commenced for the Blues. The initial stages were of an even character, each defence being tested in turn, Birnie was considerably out with his final rocking after a clever opening created by his partner. Walton cleared his line in the nick of time by running out to a concerted movement by the United forwards. From a judicious clearance by Hatch, Gilmour was presented with a magnificent opening. He dallied too long, and the defence prevailed. Grundy was applauded for clever work. Then Cranna looked all over a scorer. He attempted too much, however, in trying to do the trick unaided and came to the prowess of Wildman. After a clever run Grindley sent in a perfect centre the ball finding a resting place on the top of the net. McLoughlin next put in a beauty, which Valentine saved in clever fashion by throwing himself full length on the ground. The Blues were awarded a penalty from which McLoughlin gave his side the lead with a shot which gave Valentine no possible chance. The Everton forwards now made things lively for the United defenders, and from another accurate centre by Grindley Valentine’s charge escaped downfall by the merest hair’s breadth. At the same time the United custodian showed an especially well-aimed shot by Chadwick. There was no denying the superiority of the homesters. Particularly was this noticeable in the forward line. The visiting forwards had many opportunities of testing Walton, but instead of shooting bar, and straight, they dallied until they lost the ball or the defence recovered itself. Grundy was instrumental in landing the way to the second goal. He tricked Hatch and centred, Wright touching the leather into the net. As the interval approached the home forwards pressed harder than ever. Half-time- Everton 2 goals, Manchester United nil.
After the interval Cronan scored for the visitors and Cooke added one for the Blues. Ask???? Scored a second goal for the United.
Final -Everton Res 3 Manchester United Reserve 2

Sunderland’s best Performance.
London Daily News - Monday 20 November 1905
Sunderland accomplished a fine performance at Roker Park, gaining a thoroughly deserved victory over Everton by two goals to one. The weather was misty. Sunderland were far from being at full strength, Bell, Willis, Brown, and Holley appearing vice Watson, McConnell, Hogg, and Gemmell. After twenty minutes Settle scored the first goal for Everton, but a little later Holley equalized. Sunderland at once attacked on resuming, and Mackenzie put them ahead after a fine run by Bridgett. Everton tried desperately to equalize.

SUNDERLAND 2 EVERTON 1
November 20, 1905. The Liverpool Courier
Everton on Saturday failed at Roker-park, where last season they gained a well-merited victory by three goals to two. The conditions were not too favourable, for while the ground was frostbound the game was played to the accompaniment of a mist, which at times rendered the following of the play a matter of no little difficulty. On paper the fixture seemed to be a good thing for Everton seeing that their once famous antagonists had only gained a couple of victories out of eleven attempts. But the unexpected happened. Drastic changes in the ranks of the Wearsiders were attended with success, and their supporters were delighted with a couple of points at the expense of Everton. At the same time it cannot truthfully be stated that the victors played a great game, it was more a case of the losers falling to approach the standard of which they are capable. Everton were distinctly disappointing, and in at least two instances even a stronger word might well be used.

RUN OF THE PLAY.
Of course, Everton were not at full strength, but apart from Booth the only absentee of note was plucky little Hardman, for whom Rankin deputised. Moreover, the experiment was tried of playing Oliver in the centre with Young as partner to Sharp, while W.Balmer was called upon in order that his brother might enjoy a rest. Sunderland dropped no fewer than four of their regular men, and gave a trial at back to Bell, who is quite new to first League football. During the first half Everton, in a somewhat scrambling game was the better team, although at the interval the score was one goal each. Rather more than twenty minutes had elapsed before Settle, put his side on good terms with themselves by means of a clever goal, but soon afterwards Holly quite as smartly equalised. The game was resumed without the players being allowed to leave, the field, and the breathing space, short as it was seemed to impart new life to the Sunderland representatives, who realised the desperate position of the club in the League table, and were evidently bent upon leaving no stone unturned to bring about an improvement. Certainly they went to work in praiseworthy fashion, and got the more than their desserts when as the outcome of a bustling attack McKennie from twenty yards range, obtained what proved as the winning goal. Handicapped as they were by a couple of passagers in the front line Everton never looked like pulling the game out of the fire, though forwards the close they put on a spurt which bothered the Sunderland defence considerably.

CONCERNING THE PLAYERS.
As will be gathered, Everton vanguard was by no means a success. Rankin, useful man as he is on an emergency, quite failed to shine at outside left, while Oliver in the centre, was not only shable to impart any dash into his play, but was woefully at fault in his distribution of the work. As a matter of fact Everton really had only three forwards, and naturally the continuous demands on the half-back line threw the whole side out of goal especially as the older Balmer did not produce his usually judicious style of play. Why not try the experiment when Booth is again fit and well of giving a trial to Makepeace at inside right, with Young in the centre? Certainly it would be an improvement on last Saturday's display, it could not well be worse. Settle got through a lot of good work and scored his customary goal, but as a wing, Sharp and Young, were far superior to their colleagues on the left. For reasons suggested the comparative ineffectiveness of the halves was not surprising. Crelly was better than his partner, and though beaten twice Scott kept a good goal. Bell made a satisfactory debut for Sunderland, and Holley, besides scoring a goal displayed promising form as partner to Bridgett. Farquar, Barrie and Willis were a rare trio of halves, but they were fortunate in meeting the Everton attack when much below par.

EVERTON LEAD THE TABLE
Athletic News - Monday 20 November 1905
Manchester united placed a strong side in the field at Goodison Park, but they were beaten by 3 goals to 2.  McLoughlin was the pick of the home forwards and on this occasion he was in charge of the team.  Black was responsible for much clever work at half-back, while the full-backs Hill and Wildman, were very reliable in their returns.  Everton gave a trial in goal to Walton, a son of the old Blackburn Rovers player, and he performed very creditably.  Some dissatisfaction was evinced by the crowd at the manner in which Grundy the Everton outside left was treated by Hatch, the United right back.  When the whistle blew for the cessation of hostilities the spectators swarmed over the ground, and trouble seemed likely to ensue, but the crowd contented themselves with booing.  Grundy is an outside left, obtained from Neston, and gives signs of great promise. 

A RISE IN SUNDERLANDS.
Athletic News - Monday 20 November 1905
By Tom Tiddler
Once again it is my pleasure to record a win for Sunderland, who vanquished Everton by the odd goal of three at Roker Park. The victory is a reversal of last season’s result, and it goes without saying that the 12,000 Wearside folk who assembled were highly elated over it. The Evertonians made three individual changes from last week, with W. Balmer, Sharp, and Young displacing R. Balmer, M'Loughlin, and Hardman. The front rank was also re-arranged, and it was not until  shortly before the time fixed for starting that home eleven was chosen. There, were four changes from the previous match. Watson, McConnell, Hogg, and Gemmell standing down for Bell, Willis, Brown, and Holley.  The former made his first appearance in a League fixture, while McKenzie had not before figured at Roker. After twenty minutes’ play Young had the home goal at his mercy, but dallied too long, and was dispossessed.  Two minutes later the same forward put the ball across to Settle, and the latter drove it between Bell’s legs into the net, Webb having no chance of clearing. A spirited response was made by the locals, and within six minutes the sides were level. Brown had centred, and Barrie headed in. Scott cleared, but Holley pouncing on to the ball, sent it spinning through. The play was even to the interval, and the teams crossed over a goal each.  Owing to the gathering mist no time was lost in re-starting.  Sunderland led off with a corner, and then a brief incursion to the other end followed. Bridgett got the ball from the clearance, and racing away with it he let fly at goal. The ball struck an opponent and rebounded, and McKenzie, who running up at the time, collared it, crowning the effort with a fine goal. This was six minutes after the turn round. Scott got his fingers at the leather, but the force was too much for him. Having once gained the lead, Sunderland made great efforts to increase it.  There were some lively struggles in the Everton quarters, and on one occasion the Wearsiders claimed unsuccessfully for a penalty for an alleged foul by Balmer.  On numerous occasions a goal seemed likely to be scored at either end. The defence was not again broken, however, and the points remained at home. It was not a great game, but there was no doubt about its keenness.  At the outset Sunderland did not exhibit the same confidence as their rivals, but later they displayed greater dash, and in the second half were much more dangerous than the Mersey representatives. On the day’s play Sunderland were the better team, and fully deserved to win.  Webb proved himself a thoroughly capable custodian, and was really unsighted on the only occasion he was beaten. Bell performed exceedingly well at back for a first attempt.  He is strong in his kicks, and was a fair tackier. Rhodes likewise did well in a novel position. The half-backs worked like Trojans all the time, Barrie being the most polished. They have a fault, however, of placing the ball too far forward.  This was repeatedly done on Saturday; the consequence being that the Everton backs had better chances of clearing, to say nothing of wasting the energies of the home forwards. McKenzie was very disappointing in the early stages, some of his blunders being most pronounced, but later he played with great confidence, and did more than redeem the past. His winning goal was the outcome of sound judgment.  Brown did well, but to my mind the best of the line was Holley, with Bridgett a good second. The visitors were well served in defence, Scott having much more work to do than Webb. The backs were powerful in their kicks, Crelley being the neater in his display. Abbott and Taylor were the most effective of the half-backs, though as a line they could not stand the pace. Sharp was the most dangerous of the forwards, out Willis looked well after him. The left wing pair combined well, though Oliver was prone to feed other wing more. Taking the line as a whole they were only moderate. Clever at times they certainly were, but they lacked the dash of the home quintette- Sunderland; Webb; Bell, Rhodes; Fargahar, Barrie, Willis; Brown, O’Donnell, McKenzie, Holley, and Bridgett.  Everton; Scott; W. Balmer, Crelley; Makepeace, Taylor, Abbott; Sharp, Young, Oliver, Settle, and Rankin.  Referee; F. heath, Small Heath. 

EVERTON RESERVES 3 MANCHESTER UNITED RESERVES 2
November 20, 1905. The Liverpool Courier
Lanchashire Combination Division One.
The match at Goodison-park between Everton and Manchester United was productive of a good game, considering the conditions, and Everton deserved their victory by 3 goals to 2. Their superiority was most marked in the opening half, when they scored 2 goals to nothing. Their forwards seemed more at home on the slippery ground, and the efforts of the United quintette were feeble in comparison. McLaughlin opened the scoring from a penalty kick, and Wright added the second goal from Grundy's centre. In the second half, Cranus scored for the visitors, but Cooke replied for Everton. Before the close, Arkenden added the Mancunians second goal, and Everton won as stated. It was a good performance for Everton to win with a side which lacked Oliver, and Rankin among the forwards, and in view of the fact that no fewer than seven of the visitors have played in the first eleven of their club this season. Everton gave a trial in goal to Walton, and a son of the old Blackburn Rovers player, and although on the small side he showed promising form. Wildman at back got through his work in fine style, the halves all did well, while McLoughlin and Cooke were the best of the forwards, Manchester were best represented by their defence. Valentine making some splendid saves, while Bonthron was a vigorous and safe back. Everton: - Walton, goal, Hill, and Wildman, backs, Black Chadwick, and Donaldson, half-backs, Birnie, McLoughlin, Wright, Cooke, and Grundy forwards.

EVERTON GO UNDER AT SUNDERLAND
Liverpool Daily Post and Mercury - Monday 20 November 1905
Everton’s journey to the North cannot be regarded as a success from any point of view, for in addition to dropping a couple of points against Sunderland they gave an altogether unsatisfactory exhibition. Without any intention of being severe, candour compels the admission that the team will have to be materially strengthened if the Goodison Park brigade wish to retain anything like a position in the League competition. It is true that the weather outlook was altogether inimical to good football, the ground at Roker Park being greasy on the surface and lumpy underneath. This, of course, made the proper trapping of the leather extremely difficult, and there was some very wild and inaccurate shooting on both sides. In the second portion of the game, however, the Wearsiders improved remarkably, and in inverse ratio to their growing cleverness was the falling-off of the visitors. Time after time the home forwards kept Everton penned in their own territory, and it was only due to the stubborn character of the defence that the margin against them was not greater. Slight as it was, it was quite sufficient to indicate the superiority of the Durham team, and the victory was loudly acclaimed by their supporters, who, despite the wintry weather, were present to the number of about 12,000. For the first time this season the plucky little amateur, Harold Hardman, was unable to take his place at outside left, an injury to the leg enforcing his temporary retirement. The directors filled his place with Rankin, and it may as well be said at once that the experiment was a dismal failure. Rankin is essentially a right wing player, and on Saturday his attempts to do duty on the opposite flank, though commendable enough in their way, were absolutely futile. He was, indeed, like a fish out of water, and while be floundered on the frosty turf the ball was invariably being taken towards Scott. Another experiment was the placing of Young as a partner to Sharp, and with this there can be no cause for grumbling. The clever and tricky centre-forward adapted himself admirably to the circumstances, and it was no fault of his that the Evertonians did not find the Sunderland net on more occasions than one. Throughout the game both he and Sharp worked loyally and well, but their joint efforts were almost invariably nullified by the inability of Oliver to maintain the working effectiveness of the front line. The last-named player was the weakest link in the chain, and times without number he broke down at the crucial moment. Without labouring the matter, let it at once be said that his performance was distinctly disappointing. Settle, it will thus be seen, was placed in a most invidious position, and though he got the first and only goal for his side, his subsequent movements clever as they were, were all spoilt. This goal came after the game had been in progress rather more than twenty minutes, but its only effect was to stir the Sunderland men to greater action, and within the space of five minutes Holley put the home team on level terms with their opponents. There was some ding-dong football in the remainder of the first half, but without any tangible result, and when the players crossed over the pegging was level. In the second half a great change came over the spirit of the game, and when, within ten minutes of the restart, McKensie scored from a brilliant movement by Bridgett, the game went all in favour of the home team. As we have already said, the Evertonians deteriorated as the Wearsiders improved, and when the end came the latter left the field well-merited victors. The part played by the Everton forwards has been dealt with. Of the half-backs it is only necessary to say that they strove manfully to stem the tide of disaster. Makepeace who, by the way, might with advantage be drafted into the forward line- was as clever and nimble as ever, and Abbott pout in an amount of sterling work. Taylor, too, was always on the worry, but he was well beaten more than once, Crelly on more than one occasion covering him cleverly. The last-named played a capital game, and though W. Balmer showed coolness and confidence, he was occasionally found wanting. In goal, Scott showed once more that he is a custodian of very considerable ability, and but for his watchfulness the opposing forwards would certainly have got past him more than twice. With regard to the Sunderland team it is only necessary to say that, though they are nothing like the eleven of old, they can still show pace and shooting power. Hogg’s suspension apparently did not interfere with the dash of the forward line, and the right full back position was very finely filled by Bell, a youngster who made a very successful debut in first-class company.

SUNDERLAND v  EVERTON
Newcastle Daily Chronicle - Monday 20 November 1905
VALUABLE POINTS FOR WEARSIDERS
Although Sunderland had the advantage of ground it was generally recognised that against Everton they had a most difficult task. Previous encounters were greatly in favour of Sunderland, but the fact that the Wearsiders in eleven games had lost eight matches had not a very encouraging effort either on the team or their supporters. There was a mystery about the selecting of the Sunderland team, which did not improve the position of the Wearsiders for it was thought that from injuries to player and other causes, they would not be able to put forward a team to do just so to the club. There was, therefore, much speculation as to what the team would be, for it was not picked until just prior to the game. When the eleven did take the field the seven thousand or so spectators around the arena appeared quite satisfied with the choice.
The ground after the overnight frost was on the hard side, but considering the recent bad weather the playing pitch was in good condition. Winning the toss the captain of the Everton team elected to defend the sea goal. Mackenzie started, and, after the mid-field exchanges, the ball was worked along the left wing by the visitors. Bell relieved by punting down the field, and matters began at once to look serious for the Everton goal. Relief was brought by one of the home forwards putting behind. The visitors again by means of their left wing, were getting dangerous when they were penalised. From the free kick O’Donnell dribbled away and gave to Brown, who, when he received the ball, was offside, and accordingly a free kick was given against Sunderland. Long kicking by the backs eased the forward play and continued until Bridgett forced a corner, which was fruitless. A dribble by the Everton left wing looked dangerous, when Bell was beaten, but fortunately Barrie came to the rescue, and with the assistance of Rhodes he cleared. Brown received, and after a good run along the wing he shot, but was wide of the mark. The next incident of note was a smart run by Sharp, but his progress was stopped by Rhodes, who after charging him off the ball, made a poor clearance. The ball travelled to Settle, who, directly in front of goal, was steadying himself for a shot when Bell cleverly took the ball from his toe. Still the visitors could not be kept out, and until Farquhar stopped a shot by Oliver the downfall of the Sunderland goal seemed almost certain. Following mid-field play Mackenzie just put over the bar. After Rankin had been given off-side Scott had to save, but a free kick was given against one of the home men for obstructing the goalkeeper. Nothing resulted from it, and a spell of quiet play followed. Sharp took advantage of a centre, but although unable to make use of it owing to the attention he received from the Sunderland left back and half he was able to transfer to the other wing, where Settle, lying handy, shot into the net twenty minutes from the start. This reverse had the effect of rousing the home men, and they quickly were on the read to the Everton goal. Mackenzie slung the ball over to Brown, who from the wing shot across the goal. Holley received, and although he had to deal with the warm attention of Crelly he shot straight for goal and beat Scott. Just as he shot he was “floored,” and had to leave the field for a few minutes. While he was absent the home forwards maintained the pressure, and Brown on two occasions deserved success for his efforts. Farquar on one occasion ended a hope that Sunderland would secure the lead before the interval by a wild shot. Just on half-time Sharp was given a chance, but found that he could not pass Wills.
Half-time;- Sunderland 1 goal; Everton, 1 goal
When the game was resumed the visitors were the first to show prominent, but their effort was not lasting, and the home men asserted themselves. An overhead pass from Holley to Bridgett locked dangerous, until Crelly gave a corner to ease the pressure. From the kick, which was neatly placed by Bridgett, Farquhar just missed, after Brown had called upon Scott to save. An attack by the visitors was easily repulsed. Bridgett received, and after a clever run he centred. Mackenzie received, and from a twenty yards range he banged straight for goal, beating Scott amidst loud cheering. This lead put new life into the home men, and they again attacked with a will. Barrie was conspicuous with a fine drive, which Scott cleverly saved. A free kick against Sunderland at the other end improved an already advantageous position for the visitors. After the kick had been badly placed Sharp just missed the goal. Short passing by Brown and O’Donnell brought play to the other end, and the attack was strengthened by a free kick. The ball was placed directly in front of goal, and O’Donnell had two pops. His shot was saved by Scott, but the second one, when it appeared to be going straight for the net, was diverted by coming in contact with Balmer’s head. A sharp run took play to the other end, and Sharp nearly brought about the downfall of the Sunderland goal with a dropping shot, while Young just later was only inches off the goal with a ground shot. The attack on the Sunderland goal continued, but Wedd played a brilliant game. One awkward high shot almost beat him, and his clearance was weak. The ball landed at the feet of Young, and he prepared to shoot, being a couple of yards out. Before he could let drive Rhodes was on him and eased the anxiety of the spectators by clearing. The Everton men persevered, but had to knuckle under to the superiority of their opponents, who gave Scott a warm few minutes just before the whistle sounded for the final.
Score;- Sunderland 2 goals, Everton 1 goal
Sunderland.- Goal; Webb; backs, Bell and Rhodes; half-backs, Farquhar, Barrie, and Willis; forwards, Brown, O’Donnell, Mackenzie, Holley, and Bridgett.
Everton.- Goal, Scott; backs, Crelley and W. Balmer; half-backs; Abbott, Taylor (captain), and Makepeace; forwards, Sharp, Young, Oliver, Settle, and Rankin.

A SUGGESTION OFFERED TO EVERTON DIRECTORS
Liverpool Echo - Tuesday 21 November 1905
Bee
The expressions of Everton supporters during the week-end have been pointed, and there has been a unanimity that there must be action with a view of strengthening the team which at present lacks much that is useful-a forward line in which the members are cognisant of each other’s peculiarities and possibilities and probabilities. I would have preferred no change for Saturday’s match, but it would seem that Oliver is not realising the hopes raised by his performances against Notts County. He is quite youthful, and even though it be two or three seasons hence he will be a valuable asset to the senior team. Now, both our local teams have a plethora of half-backs. Everton have so many good ones that they might deem it advisable to send one of their number a step forward and make him an attacker. To my way of thinking it is most dangerous to put a half back among the forwards, and, on the other hand, it is often found that a forward turns out a trump card as a half-back.
With Booth perhaps unable to play next week, I would offer this suggestion to the consideration of the Everton directors-conditionally that they decide to make an experiment at all; Scott, goal; R. Balmer and Crelley, backs; Black (or Booth), Taylor, and Abbott, half-backs; Sharp, Makepeace, Young, Settle, and Hardman.
There is one minimising argument to the inclusion of Makepeace as a forward, and that is the addition of a light-weight and not tall member. I like the good big ‘uns. However, any port in a storm, and I earnestly ask the directors to consult with each other on the advisability of introducing the speedy player mentioned in the attacking line. The reason for the suggestion comes about in this way;- Makepeace is avowedly the penalty kick taker of the team. From this one draws the conclusion that he is cool in trying circumstances and in front of goal. Next, he has speed, and, with John Sharp would combine nicely, judging by his workings behind the county cricketer. Furthermore, he keeps the ball down regularly, and it is an apparent truth that for a fast wing man to take up a pass on the run he must not be plied with a ball soaring any height. It is a suggestion. I do not even recommend it, preferring to point out what might happen from such a move.
  “Breckfielder” desires to utilise McLaughlin’s play. He writes;- “Don’t you think it is time the Everton directors stopped this chopping up of their forward line? Really, I share the views of many others when I say that we do not like these incessant changes. McLaughlin has never played in a League match yet for Everton when he has been on the losing side. Mind you, I don’t say this is due to his ability, but I do say this, that at Woolwich, a few weeks back, it was his play that gave Young the opportunity of scoring the winning goal; and, again, last Saturday, although no one can say they saw him receive a pass from any player, yet when he got the ball he passed to Rankin, after clever play, and then this player raced away and centred to Settle, who scored. The following week Mac is dropped. He deserves a fair trial with Sharp. He played the best game for his side against Manchester on Saturday until he had to run after a so-called referee.”
There has been much laughter created by a poster in the vicinity of Walton. The poster is an advertisement of some firm’s whisky, and depicts a canny Scot as “Master of the Situation,” consuming the spirit. But some naughty person has written in large letters under the Scotsman’s figure the name of a well-known footballer, whose eccentricities were known to the local public.

EVERTON v  BIRMINGHAM
Liverpool Daily Post and Mercury - Wednesday 22 November 1905
Everton have settled on the team to meet Birmingham on Saturday, at Goodison Park and the inclusion of Booth at centre half back is a matter of congratulation. This allows of Taylor taking on himself the position of inside right. Oliver is dropped, and Young is reinstated at centre. That their supporters are becoming concerned about the position of the club is common property.

EVERTON CAPTAIN WELCOMED TO THE TEAM
Liverpool Echo - Wednesday 22 November 1905
Bee
Everton have settled on the team to meet Birmingham on Saturday, at Goodison Park, and the inclusion of Booth at centre half-back is a matter of congratulation. This allows of Taylor taking on himself the position of inside right. Oliver is dropped, and Young is reinstated at centre. That their supporters are becoming concerned about the position of the club is common property. One of their number writes referring to the constitution of the Everton team, and says a large number of Everton followers think that the directors are not giving McLaughlin a fair trial. He is in my humble opinion (continues the correspondent), the most useful inside forward they at present possess, for the reason, that he is ever ready to step into any of the inside positions. Moreover, as “Breckfielder” says, he has never finished yet on a losing side, and, considering how he has been moved, and the different partners he has had, I consider now that they require the forward line strengthened; and were he to get a fair trial as Jack Sharp’s partner he would do himself and his club justice. I recollect when Young was ill, two seasons ago, and Settle was played as centre, the first and second gamer he played he was not a success, until he get accustomed to the position. I trust, then, that the directors will be patient and am certain they will not regret their decision should they play him.
I have the following communication from “H.H” an Ormskirk reader.- “I would like to express a few remarks on football matters, but first let me reveal my admiration of your impartiality. Having read the “Echo” for a lengthy period, I have seen how some correspondents have tried to undermine your pedestal by prematurely conceived opinions or by criticisms, the attributes of which, in my opinion, are governed by prejudice; but I am pleased to note that your pedestal does not even quiver. It is understood when I say that your every thought does not find consolation in every human breast. That is impossible, but the objections frequently raised, or the not very eulogistic terms in which you are spoken of invariably come forth from purely biased minds. Now, then, I ask you, Bee, if the “Football Association governors have benefited the side which by an unlawful action has incurred the penalty kick?” If we look over the by-gone portion of the present season, we become astounded at the number of penalty kicks, which have produced nothing of any benefit to the offended side. To what do you ascribe this state of affairs? It is the inability of those marvellous shooters of minute exactness (?) to shoot with any degree of accuracy? Or is it that they are unnerved by the simplicity and easiness with which a goal might be produced? I will leave you to give me a little knowledge on the subject. A word about Liverpool. Although I am in favour of Everton (we all have favourites) it does not debar me from expressing my approval of the way in which Liverpool are climbing the League ladder, and I say this with profound sincerity. It will give me pleasure to see them on top when the present season has matured. They full deserve the support of the public (of which I’m pleased to say I’m one) for the way in which they have battled against adversity. How is it that Everton cannot produce anything like a proper proportion of successful games away from home?  It is common knowledge that they are wonderfully inconsistent in these away matches (of course, I am speaking broadly now, not only taking last year’s wins). Knowing that they are a team productive of football of the highest class, it gets beyond our conception why they should miserably fail on foreign soil. Last Saturday’s was a fitting instance of this. I must take up any more of your valuable space, for fear of incurring your displeasure, but will certainly take the pleasure of trespassing in your soil (or should I say paper) in the near future.”

EVERTON TEAMS
Liverpool Echo - Thursday 23 November 1905
Bee
There is a continuation of the letters on the Everton selections, and I have been looking through the teams that have appeared this season and believe that no eleven players have represented the side three weeks in succession. Of course injuries to members have to a measure been the cause of this-but it will be of interest to readers to know that the club has tried eighteen players in eleven matches. Here is the representation;-
Goal;- Scott and Collins
Backs.- Crelley and W and R Balmer
Halves.- Makepeace, Taylor, Abbott, Black and Booth (the last named as right and centre half).
Outside right.- Sharp and Rankin
Inside right.- McDermott, Rankin, and Young
Centre.- Young and Oliver
Inside left.- Settle, McLaughlin, and Taylor
Outside right.- Hardman and Rankin
Well, it is time there was a settling down in order that the men may settle up, don’t you think? I thought there had been enough experiments tried, and that was why I suggested (and added “not recommended”) the inclusion of Makepeace for Saturday.
  “Evertonian” recommends the retention of Makepeace at half-back in the following;-
Your pertinent remarks re the Everton team appearing in your column on Tuesday have created wide interest, and perhaps you might find space for the following comments. Whilst you give good reasons why Makepeace might well be given a trial in the forwards, you do not recommend this move, and I think you are quite right, on the following grounds;-

1. Were Makepeace included in the forwards and Taylor, Booth and Abbott played at half, the defence would, of course, be very solid, but would lack that bit of life necessary to successfully combat a fast forward line. Now, Makepeace with his speed just supplies that want, without in any way weakening the solidity of the defence.
2. Makepeace is, as you say, rather light for a forward, and this would probably act detrimentally on Sharp, who aways shines when a big inside men does the “donkey” work. I would, therefore, recommend that Makepeace be retained at half, and Taylor without delay put to partner Sharp, as should Booth be still unwell, Black would form an efficient substitute. This would give the forwards a chance of settling down. Sharp, Taylor, Young, Settle, and Hardman seem the best forwards the club has got.

“True Blue” thinks that the tall and fairly heavy Birnie is deserving a trial, and another adds that it would be particularly hard on the right half to move him when he is in the running for his first international cap. This latter phase, I am sure, would be considered carefully by the directorate. Then a poor bilious Blue of my acquaintance, who does not get enough fresh air (!), sends me one line from his sick chamber’ “Abbott, THE  centre forward.
Certainly there will be a big following of enthusiasts present on Saturday to see the battle of the Blues. Birmingham are Blues as well as the Goodison men, though they are not in the blues, their team having performed very smartly so far. Everton, being the older and home club, will wear their club colours and the Heath will, probably, appear in all white, as they did last season. Which reminds me that Blackburn should have donned other colours last week. They made the omission through a slip of the memory. So those stripes will not be taken with the Everton baggage master on March 17. The new jerseys are similar to the Queen’s Park jerseys, except that the black ribs are more pronounced.
“Jock” Taylor stands alone in the glory of not having missed a match this season. I believe he has now played in seventy consecutive matches- a wonderful record, and one which speaks volumes for his mode of living.  

FOOTBALL FACTS
Liverpool Daily Post and Mercury- Friday 24 November 1905
There will be a big crowd at Goodison Park to-morrow to see the battle of the Blues. Birmingham are Blues as well as the Goodison men, though they are not in the blues, their team having performed very smartly so far. Everton being the older and home club, will wear their club colours and the Heath will, probably appear in all white, as they did last season. Blackburn should have donned other colours. They made the omission through a slip of the memory. So those stripes will not be taken with the Everton baggage master on March 17. The new jerseys are similar to the Queen’s Park jerseys, except that the black ribs are more pronounced.
“Jock” Taylor stands alone in the glory of not having missed a match this season.

EVERTON V BIRMINGHAM CITY
Lancashire Evening Post - Saturday 25 November 1905
At Goodison Park, before 15,000 spectators. Everton played Young centre forward. Taylor inside right, and Booth centre half. Birmingham had the wind in their favour, and the opening exchanges were even. Anderson missed a good opportunity, and Robinson was frequently tested by the Everton forwards. Jones scored for the visitors and Hardman equalized for Everton.
Half-time; Everton 1, Birmingham 1.
Play was vigorously contested in the second half, Everton having the best of matters at the start. Crelly was injured, and Everton played ten men for a time, but they still held their own. Anderson, however, scored for Birmingham from a corner. Result; Everton 1, Birmingham 2.

FOOTBALL PROSPECTS
Liverpool Daily Post and Mercury - Saturday 25 November 1905
Everton, with the eleven well tried servants again on view, are up against a tough proposition. The “Heathens” are demons for dash. Little skill is brought to bear upon opposition, force being the factor that raises them.
Exchange is no robbery. Therefore, the meeting of Glover (ex-Liverpool) and Abbott (ex-Small heath) will be interesting. Glover, with Stokes and Robinson, make a solid defence, and would that one could take the line through Blackburn Rovers, who won 6-1 against them, for then the Goodison men would have a walk over. Collateral form, however, does work out sometimes in football, and, consequently, the fact is forced home to one that there is stern work before the home side- which has re-shuffled-if they are to gather in the points so badly needed, and which have never been released in previous meetings. Birmingham come with 16 points from twelve matches, as against Everton’s 14, and with the advantage of the ground, Booth, Hardman and Robert Balmer returning to the fold Everton should win.
Mr. Nat Whittaker is the referee, and the kick-off is at 2.30.
Everton v Birmingham
League match at Goodison Park; kick-off 2.30.
Everton.- Scott, goal; R. Balmer and Crelley, backs; Makepeace, Booth, and Abbott, half-backs; Sharp, Taylor, Young, Settle, and Hardman, forwards,
Everton Reserve v. Stockport County
Lancashire Combination match at Stockport; Central, 1 O’clock; kick-off, 2.45
Everton.- Collins, goal; Hill and Hannan, backs; Black, Chadwick, and Donaldson, half-backs; Birnie, Rankin, Oliver, Cooke, and Grundy, forwards.

STOCKPORT COUNTY v  EVERTON
Liverpool Football Echo - Saturday 25 November 1905
LANCASHIRE COMBINATION -DIV 1
Played at Stockport before a moderate number of spectators. Everton played their full team, and during the greater part of the first half pressed severely. Oliver scoring after about twenty minutes’ play. Cock and Hill after this came within an ace of scoring for Everton, who kept up the pressure vigorously. Stockport had a look in now and then, but were weak at shooting. At the interval Everton led by 1 goal to nil.
Final.- Stockport City Reserve 1 Everton Reserve 1 goal.

EVERTON ON THE DOWN GRADE
Liverpool Football Echo - Saturday 25 November 1905
THEIR SECOND DEFEAT AT GOODISON PARK
BIRMINGHAM’S SMART VICTORY OVER A WEAK DEFENCE
Many years may elapse before the Heathens lose their old familiar title, but under their present name they have established a record to be well satisfied with, and it is even rumoured that the Birmingham men intend to head the list. Such, then, is the calibre of the team which visited Goodison Park today in search of points and glory, and even home supporters admitted that their quest was far from hopeless, and the football-loving public saw in the content the probability of the most stubborn struggle of the afternoon’s games. In twelve matches Birmingham have only lost eleven goals, which is ample testimony of the reliability of their backs and custodian. Although Everton have invariably had the better of the Heathens, the recent slump in Blues suggested a more even tussle this afternoon. The attendance was only about 10,000 when the game commenced, and the weather, though dry, was somewhat gloomy. Happily, Everton once more had their full team, and Taylor took his place in the forward line.
The teams lined up as follows;-
Everton.- Scott, goal; R. Balmer and Crelly, backs; Makepeace, Booth (captain) and Abbott, half-backs; Sharp, Taylor, Young, Settle, and Hardman, forwards.
Birmingham.- Robinson, goal; Glover and Stokes, backs; Beer, Wigmore, and Dougherty, half-backs; Tickle, Green, Jones, Gorman, and Anderson, forwards.
Referee, Mr. N. Whittaker.
Young kicked off against the wind, and after Everton had tried to get away on the right, Birmingham retaliated on the left, and became very prominent. From a free kick the ball was dropped into Scott’s hands, but although the Everton goalkeeper cleared handsomely, the visitors were soon back in front of goal, and Fisher shot over. The old Heathens continued to show up to great advantage, but they did not find a further opening, and then Everton broke away and made a characteristic assaults on the Birmingham lines, at the end of which Taylor headed over the bar. Then came a spell of passing by the visitors, who for some time maintained the upper hand, notwithstanding a sturdy defence. Their chances of scoring, however, dropped considerably when Anderson made a flunky attempt. The blues were now shaping much better, and the forwards worked round the Brum halves in promising style. Young came down nicely with his line, and got within shooting distance, when Stokes and Glover sandwiched him cleverly. Still the Blues’ front worked with vim, and after Makepeace had made a long shot at a venture, Taylor put across to Young in beautiful fashion and the centre put in a stiff one, which was but a yard wide. Then on the left Hardman and Settle forced the pace, and the winger wound up with a wide one. The Heathens did not like the pressure, and struggled manfully to emerge, but they did not meet with much success, and at last Booth shot over to Sharp, and Dougherty went over in tackling the cricketer. Young was waiting for the centre, but Glover got there first, and headed over smartly. Passing by Green, Jones, and Tickle carried play to the other end, where Crelly neatly intercepted the ball when it left Green’s toes. The ball was then put across to Anderson, but when this player dashed forward Makepeace was magnificent, and relieved him of further responsibility as far as that occasion was concerned. Sharp after being trickled by Anderson, got in again, and made a fine run, after which Taylor captured the leather and brought Robinson to his knees. The Birmingham goalkeeper failed to get the ball promptly away, Taylor following up his shot and endeavouring to kick it out of his hands. Good work on the left also gave a chance to Settle, but he likewise missed the mark, having vile luck. The Birmingham right now did capital work, and Abbott lost his equilibrium in tackling Green. Then the home left broke away, and Young got a pass from Settle. He was splendidly placed, and tried to beat Robinson with a crafty screw shot, but unluckily the leather travelled a foot wide of the mark. The home attack was now distinctly dangerous, but the combination was by no means perfect. Then the Heathen left slipped off, and Balmer hard pressed conceded a corner which was to prove disastrous. The home goal was well packed, and all looked right, but the leather was not cleared, and the Blues appeared to fiddle with the ball, which came out to Jones, and to the consternation of the spectators the ball was netted with what appeared to be a very soft shot. Everton had the benefit of a free kick close to the penalty line, and Abbott instead of lunging forward as usual tipped the ball back to Booth, who sent in a grand shot, which only missed by inches. Abbott failed to hold the lively Tickle, and the result was a fierce attack on the Everton goal, which was at last cleared by Balmer. Makepeace had a free kick, but Settle failed to trap the ball, and although Makepeace got at it again, the visitors managed to bore their way through and make a fierce onslaught on the Everton lines, which were ultimately cleared by Abbott. After this the home contingent showed up better, and advanced into their opponents’ territory. Then Sharp was brought down just outside the penalty line, and the cricketer took the free kick, which was not a success, and soon after the Blues attack waxed so hot that Scott had to rush out and clear from the advancing Birmingham centre. At list a bright bit of play came from Makepeace and Taylor, who put Young in possession, but the Everton centre thought Hardman had a better chance, but unfortunately his pass was intercepted by Beer. In fact, the Heathens’ defence seemed impenetrable. But just when things looked least promising for the Blues, success was achieved. The home left came with a rattle, and after Robinson had saved a stinger from Young, Hardman dashed up almost into goal and forced the leather a foot over the line. Robinson handled and appealed, but after consultation Mr. Whittaker pointed to the centre. Everton’s equaliser stimulated the players in wonderful fashion, and they came down hot-foot into the Birmingham quarters, Settle, Young, Hardman, and Taylor each trying to get through at close quarters, while Booth brought down the house with a magnificent shot, Robinson being equally applauded for his splendid save. Another fine bit of play was shown by Booth, Hardman, and Settle, Taylor failing to reach the ball and give the finishing touch; and then Abbott tried a long shot, but this was simply an erratic attempt. When half-time was sounded the homesters were resisting a stiff attack, this being broken up by Makepeace just before the whistle was sounded.
Half-time score.- Everton 1 goal, Birmingham 1 goal
On commencing the Birmingham men were the first to assert themselves, but they did not get very far over the centre line owing to the fine tackling of Crelly. At last the Blues made a promising move and Hardman, receiving from Young, was dashing into goal when the whistle pulled him up. Soon the Heathens found their feet and Scott cleared from Tickle, and before the Everton lines were cleared Hardman, distinguished himself with some lion-hearted tackling. The Evertonians made a brief visit to Robinson’s locality, but nothing tangible came if it. Then the Brums came with a rattle, but the home defence withstood the test admirably. Balmer robbed Anderson neatly and Taylor next put Sharp in possession and the county man looked like getting off when he came to grass. Hardman got the next chance, but he could not make progress, and passed back. A pass from Hardman was taken by Beer. Then the visitors commenced a beautiful passing movement, which was spoiled by Green, who was off-side. Free kicks to either side terminated in the Evertonians swooping down on the Birmingham goal. Here Young slipped when he had a likely chance, but the homesters gained a corner, from which Robinson just managed to get the ball away. A further corner did not cause the visitors the same amount of trouble, but Settle was soon prominent with a beautiful straight drive, with which Robson had no difficulty. A miss by Booth caused a corner to be given to Birmingham, but Sharp and Taylor cleared it away, and then Hardman and Settle passed and Hardman was brought down. This was followed by grand work on the part of Hardman, Taylor, and Settle, but Young failed at the finish. Just afterwards Robinson fisted out a bad shot from Taylor. Following a free kick against Wigmore, Hardman lifted the ball over the bar, and Everton followed with a sequence of strong attacks, but suddenly Birmingham broke away, and, being met with a somewhat slack defences, from which Crelly was absent, Tickle passed to Henderson, who quickly beat Scott, and the Birminghamites were a goal in front.
Final Result; Birmingham 2 goals Everton 1 goal
Last season-Everton 2, Birmingham 1
BEE’S SNAPSHOTS
Two offsides by the visitors. Then a glorious piece of work by Settle, who put in an inimitable touch, and then Hardman receiving centres, and Taylor heads just over. Settle slow, and a nice opening was mulled. Many outside wing men would not have tried to reach the ball as Hardman did. A curious circumstances, Stokes kicked hard against hardman’s legs almost on the touch line, and the sphere rebounded right into the visitors’ custodian’s hands. Everton did not lack opportunities, and Settle was at fault with a wide shot. The sixty-five minutes had gone when Scott received his first work. It came through a disputed corner to the visitors, and Beer headed in, Scott thumped out, the ball went to the thirsting Jones, who tried an off shot. It came off-the ball passing off one of the home men. Now Settle was energetic, and in fact the home eleven in general realised that they had stern work before them. The referee had a grave doubt about the equalising goal, which came five minutes before half-time. Makepeace started the successful move after Sharp had taken on himself a throw-in, and Hardman drove in finely, Robinson saving just as the ball had crossed the line a few inches. The referee consulted the linesmen, and “Hurrah,” the goal was allowed. A fine goal too.
There is nothing so stimulating to Everton as an equalising goal. Now they attacked with a vigour that was invigorating. 1-1 was a capital representation of the merits of the team.
The second half was as brimful of incidents and excitement as the opening portion. Try as they would, the Everton forwards could not beat Robinson. Then the backs in front of him lent assistance, but the half backs to my mind, were the weakest portion of the team.  The musical Beer seemed unable to lay hold of Hardman, although he generally accounted for Settle. Dougherty seemed to make Sharp a marked man. Consequently Sharp was the most ineffective forward of the line. Everton had none of the luck; there was no denying that. Crelly collided, and while he was away the second goal was scored. Yet, on the other hand, when he had returned, Anderson got clean through and had only Scott to beat when the left-winger shot against the post. In addition, Taylor had a very bad kick, and Booth fell heavily. Of course these things are bound to tell on the play. To Hardman, one special line;-
“His play throughout was magnificent.”
Settle did not shoot with precision, but certainly kept Hardman well at it.
Young was indifferent, without at any time being very bad.
Taylor, who has hardly settled down to forward work, put in sterling work in other directions.
Scott played a quiet, confident game, especially it is true that he was suffering from an absences in the face.

BIRMINGHAM v.  EVERTON
Sports Argus - Saturday 25 November 1905
WELL-MERITED WIN ON LANCASHIRE SOIL
STILL ADVANCING
By “Old Blue”
The penchant of Birmingham for doing great things at a crucial emergency encouraged a hope in the become of the faithful that Wigmore’s men might not return from Goodison Park pointless. This afternoon it was a formidable task which confronted the “Blues” but the men entered into the fray full of confidence, determined not to surrender the spoils if perseverance and courage counted for anything. The weather was dull and cold. Teams;-
Everton.- Scott; R. Balmer, Crelley; Makepeace, Booth (captain), Abbott; Sharp, Taylor, Young, Settle, Hardman.
Birmingham.- Robinson; Stokes, Glover; Dougherty, Wigmore (captain), Beer; Anderson, Carnan, Jones, Green, Tickle.
Referee Mr. W. Whittaker
The colours of both teams being similar Birmingham appeared in white. Wigmore won the toss, but his forwards dashed away, Anderson and Cornan forcing the ball into the goal mouth. Scott punched away, but the ball went out to Tickle, who hoisted it over the bar. Coming again Birmingham got dangerous, but a foul relieved. Birmingham were doing capitally, and the Everton goal was frequently in peril. Anderson swung the ball across admirably, and for some time Everton were penned into their own quarters. In time, however, the home forwards opened out, and a ripping centre by Hardman was headed over by Taylor. This was the prelude to other attacks on Robinson, but the latter was watchful and fielded the few shots ably.  Birmingham retaliated, and after the ball had bobbed about dangerously near goal Anderson missed a good opening, failing to accept a pass. The game developed into a ding-dong battle, and was much enjoyed by a crowd estimated at nearly 15,000. From end to end the ball travelled speedily, and the home team’s incursion originated on the left wing, where Hardman was pretty speedy and effective. A rare battle between Anderson and Carnan and Balmer ended in favour of the last-named, who saved the Everton goal from an awkward position. After the home men had pressed pretty robustly Birmingham performed a similar feat. Sharp, having got the better of Dougherty raced away and centred, but Glover headed away, and his clearance enabled Tickle to make progress, but he was pulled up for offside. Birmingham pressed their opponents into their own lines, but Balmer and Crelly were safe, and resolutely defended their citadel. A misunderstanding between Glover and Wigmore let in Hardman, and his centre placed Robinson’s charge in imminent danger, but happily, Robinson was master of the situation. However, he had a busy time for a few minutes subsequently, and one save from Settle was brilliant. After Birmingham had spurted away to the other end and Jones had taken a pot shot at Scott bending the ball wide, Everton immediately returned, and from a good position Settle shot erratically. Although Everton’s visit to goal were much more frequent than the opposing forwards they showed more enterprise in the matter of shooting although many shots were wide of the desired spot. Twenty-eight minutes from the start Birmingham got their heads in front. It occurred in this way. Anderson and Cornan nipped along the left wing and just as the former was about to centre Balmer ran against the ball and it went over the goal line. A corner was awarded, and although this at one time appeared likely to be ineffective, Jones got his feet to the ball and just touched it, giving it sufficient impetuous to cross into the net at the opposite corner to which Scott was. This reverse nettled Everton. They pressed like demons and a long shot was cornered by Robinson. This corner and another were fruitless. Everton’s pressure was not sustained, and Birmingham gradually got into close proximity to Scott, but they were sent about their business and Sharp was conspicuous for a notable run. As he was manoeuvring for a position he was brought down by Wigmore, but the free kick was badly utilised.
After forty minutes play Everton equalised a long shot by Hardman taking effect. At least this was the decision of the referee after consulting the linesmen. It was a wrong decision for the ball had never crossed the line. Following this Everton pressed energetically but failed to augment their total before the interval.
Half-time;- Everton 1 Birmingham 1
When the game was resumed both sides appeared keen on getting the lead, and in a short space of time Robinson and Scott had performed difficult duties. The former’s position was several times in real danger, and for the time being Birmingham had the better of matters. They bustled into their work in business-like fashion, and Balmer and Crelley found their duties by no means thrifting. Once Jones and Green were travelling splendidly towards Scott, but offside was given against them.
Everton made desperate efforts, and forced a corner, but they met with no success, there being good defensive work on the visiting side. Everton’s pressure was sustained, and was of a spirited character, and Robinson and his co-defenders performed splendidly, one clearance from Scott being magnificent. In time Birmingham thirsted for goals, and they subjected Scott’s charge to a rare onslaught. Tickle worked in some telling centres, and once Jones threatened to thread his way through, but shot at long distance and the ball went wide. A brilliant piece of dribbling by Hardman led up to another spirited raid upon Robinson, but the latter fisted away a fine shot by hardman, and next watched a shot by Young go wide of the mark. Helter skelter away went Jones and his comrades again, and a corner fell to them, but no good came of it. The game had again developed into an even battle, both goals being threatened in turn. The Everton forwards were more aggressive, but they found in Robinson a goalkeeper of first-rate merit. After Everton had the better of matters for some time, Birmingham went racing away, and a centre by Tickle was calmly headed into the net by Anderson. Having got their heads in front they showed a disposition to add to their total, and Jones and Green were beginning to make things very warm for the home defence. Everton made superhuman efforts to get on level terms, but they met plucky and determined opponents. Birmingham’s victory was well worked for and obtained.
Result- Birmingham 2 Everton 1
THE GAME AT A GLANCE
After 15 minutes play- Birmingham 0 Everton 0
After 25 minutes’ play- Birmingham 1 Everton 0 (Jones scored)
After forty minutes play- Everton 1 Birmingham 1 (Hardman scored)
After sixty-nine minutes’ play- Birmingham 2 Everton 1 (Anderson scored)
GOSSIP ON THE GAME
Having regard to the reputations of the two teams, it was expected that there would be a battle royal at Goodison Park to-day. Well, we were not disappointed.
If the play was not of a great standard it was immensely interesting being spiritedly fought.
The form of Everton compared badly with that of last season.
They took an abnormally lengthy time to get into their swing, while their opponents were as busy as bees from the very commencement.
Play in the opening portion of the game was noticeable for the strong defensive work on both sides.
In the early stages the visitors were more often near goal, and though Jones’s shot which took effect was simple, the work leading up to it justified the success.
For quite half an hour Birmingham were the better side, their movements being more precise than those of the home men. Indeed, the latter’s forwards were uneven.
Then they made things pretty uncomfortable for Robinson.
The prevailing fault of Young’s line was their inability to shoot, or rather to shoot accurately.
Often did they shoot, but their targetry was very faulty.
It was a piece of good luck for Everton to equalises. They were, in the opinion of many, presented with their goal.
The shot from Hardman was stopped on the goal line by Robinson, and it was regrettable that the ruling of the referee should have been against him.
Mr. Whittaker was in doubt, and consulted the linesman, who was certainly too far up the field to be able to say weather the ball had crossed the line.
That Everton appreciated this piece of luck was evident from the pressure they brought to bear subsequently, but they found Robinson a clever custodian. He was particularly good, and so were the whole of the visitors, who showed immense improvement on the previous week’s form.
The play in the second half was exceptionally keen. The Everton forwards displayed better shooting ability, and had it not been for the expert custodianship of Robinson they must have got their heads in front. Robinson was ably shielded by his backs and half-backs and all round the visiting defence was as sound as a bell.
The visiting forwards were not as desperate as the opposing quintette, but they were doing splendid work in a quiet and erective fashion, and in time they met with reward.
It was a fine centre by Tickle that led to the second goal, and the cool fashion in which Anderson headed into the net was good to see.
Having gained the upper hand the visitors played splendidly. The whole of the defenders were in capital form, Robinson, the two backs and Beer being most prominent. The forwards showed excellent combination and shot very accurately and powerfully.  

EVERTON 1 BIRMINGHAM CITY 2
November 27, 1905. The Liverpool Courier.
For the first time in their career Birmingham- it is difficult to forget the old title of Small Heath-secured maximum points in a League match at Goodison-park. This was a performance on which they had every reason to congratulate themselves. But, what about Everton? It is not too much to state that they are proving a disappointing team. There has been a considerable falling off from last season, and unless some new life is imparted into their play itself, position in the League table at the end of the season will be below that which one expects from a club possessing the resources of Everton. The failure at Roker-park was a bitter pill, but Saturday's reverse was more unpleasant especially in view of the fact that the visitors had never previously lowered the colours of the Blues at Goodison-road. Still, it had to be borbe in mind that the Birmingham men came to Liverpool with a capital record. Indeed, they rank with Derby County as having lost fewer points than any other League club while they can boast that no team in the First Division has been so successful in the matter of “goals against” Thus their victory perhaps was not altogether surprising but none the less Everton's defeat was not at all palatable.
RUN OF THE PLAY.
The teams were representative and the conditions favourable to a good game. Right from the start the Birmingham representatives made the pace oretty hot, and in the first few minutes a glorious chance of opening the score was mulled by Tickle. It took Everton some time to settle down, and when they did they found what a superb defence it was with which they had to deal. The attack too, though there was too much dalliance in front of goal, was ever on the alert, and following a corner Jones, placed his side on good terms with themselves when he sent the ball into the net, after Scott had fisted away from Beer. This seemed to gave the Evertonians the stimulus which was sadly needed, and when Hardman equalised- the goal, by, the way, was not awarded until after the referee consulted a linesman as to whether the ball was over the line when Robinson saved- there were visions of an Everton success. Robinson, and his two backs, however, rose to the occasion in grand style, and largely to the efforts of the custodian the teams were on level terms at the interval. The second half was not an interesting as the earlier portion of the game. Robinson, it is ‘us, had some stringing shots to deal with, but he was safety it self. It was during the temporary absence of Crelly that what proved to be the winning goal was scored. It was the outcome of a brilliant run down the right wing, which ended in Anderson meeting a splendid centre and heading past Scott. After this Everton never seemed likely to pull the game out of the fire. For once that great spurt in the closing stages was lacking- and well Everton lost by two goals to one.
CONCERNING THE PLAYERS.
After his display at Sunderland it was only natural that Oliver was dropped. Young resumed in his old place, and once again the versatile Taylor tried his best as partner, to Sharp. The front line, however, was by no means satisfactory. There was a lack of method and judgement especially in front of goal, although it must be conceded that Robinson had some ticklish shots to negotiate. Young was uneven as regards the distribution of the work, but he sent in some pretty touches. Hardman and Settle worked hard, but Sharp sadly lacks a partner with the ability of a McDermott to afford him those neat passes which he knows so well how to turn to account. The halves were only moderate for such a trio, while the backs, young Balmer and Crelly, compared unfavourably with Glover and Stokes, who afforded the home attack few loopholes. Even when they did, Robinson was always on the alert. Altogether it was more on account of the effectiveness of the defence than any cleverness on the part of the forwards which gave Birmingham their very welcome couple of points. Teams: - Everton: - Scott, goal, W.Balmer, and Crelly, backs, Makepeace, Booth (Captain), and Abbott, half-backs, Sharp, Taylor, Young, Settle, and Hardman, forwards. Birmingham City: - Robinson, goal, Glover, and Stokes, backs Beer, Wigmore, and Dougherty, half-backs, Tickle, Green, Jones, Garman and Anderson, forwards. Referee N.Whittaker.

STOCKPORT COUNTY RESERVES 1 EVERTON RESERVES 1
November 27 1905. The Liverpool Courier.
Lancashire Combination Division One
Everton had a stiff task on hand in having to meet Stockport County last season's champions, at the Cheshire town, but they held their own well, and succeeded in dividing the points. During the first portion of the game, Everton held a decided advantage. Rankin made some capital runs, and from a smart dribble and centre by this player Oliver, was enabled to open the scoring. Everton retained their lead to the interval, but Stockport improved after the chance of ends, and despite good defence by Collins and his backs, an equalising goal was rushed through from a scrimmage. The game thus ended one goal all. Both defences were sound all though. Collins making some line clearances, while the halves did good service. Everton had a slight advantage forward where Cooke and Rankin did well for the visitors. The Goodison team now occupies a capital position in the table, and but for a poor start at the beginning of the season, would now be at the head of the competition. Everton: - Collins, goal, Wildman, and Hannan, backs, Black, Chadwick, and Donaldson, half-backs, Birnie, McLoughlin, Wright, Cooke, and Grundy, forwards.

DISCORD AT GOODISON
Athletic News - Monday 27 November 1905
By Junius
Prior to Saturday Birmingham had never taken a point away from Goodison Park, though last season they were only beaten by 2 goals to 1 after leading at the interval. Their success on the occasion of their recent visit consequently came as a great surprise but although they won they scarcely deserved to do so the general run the play. Their defence pulled them through, and the goalkeeping of Robinson was the outstanding feature of the opposition offered by the men in the rear ranks. . On the other hand, the Everton backs and custodian were far from reliable, and though the Midlanders scored twice they were certainly aided by the weakness of their opponents.  Both sides had their strongest available teams in the field, but the football shown was not very exhilarating. Hard fought the game undoubtedly was, but there were few flashes of brilliant work witnessed. A powerful defence was placed against a moderate forward line, and the latter, representing Everton, seldom seemed like wresting the honours from the visitors. The Midlanders started in dashing style, and a couple of easy chances were missed by Anderson, who in each case failed to kick the ball.  Everton them enjoyed a spell of aggressive work, with Robinson and erratic shooting nullified every effort.  Eventually Anderson forced a corner and though Scott fisted out one header, Jones eventually managed to find the net.   Everton’s equalizing came in rather a curious way.  Makepeace got though and crossed to the left wing, where Hardman pounced on the ball, and drove into the goal at a great pace.  Robinson fell on the leather promptly, but the Everton players claimed that he was over the line when he saved, and after consulting one of the linesman the referee allowed the point.  From now to the interval, a space of some ten minutes, it was a case of Everton versus Robinson, and the custodian gained the verdict.  The second half opened similarly, and one clearance of the goalkeeper from Settle, who sent in from five yards range, was the finest bit of work seen in the match.  The Crelley had to retire for a time, Booth going full back and Taylor centre-half.  While playing with ten men Everton met with their second reverse.  Green received near half-way, and cleverly tricking Abbott and Booth ran to the line before centring.  He crossed to Anderson, who was unmarked, and the latter headed into the net, Scott making a very poor attempt to save. When Crelley returned matters went worse for Everton. Cornan obtained, and beating all opposition ran close into goal, where he steadied himself to make certain of another point. All he could accomplish, however, was to shoot feebly against the upright, and a glorious chance thus went astray. Towards the finish Everton recognised their hopeless position and the Midlanders were going strongly when the final whistle blew. Taking the game throughout there was little to choose between the teams, and a draw would have been a correct reflex of the play. Both sets of forwards were very moderate, and Everton were certainly more incisive near goal, for they gave Robinson far more difficult shots to deal with than Scott had to negotiate. Even then the play of the Everton front rank left much be desired, and the team all round failed to move with that harmonious accord which as a general rule permeates their endeavours. Even admitting the excellence of Robinson, there still remains the fact that the home forwards were erratic and lacking in incisiveness. Young did little in the centre despite the chances he was afforded, and the right wing was seldom in evidence. Taylors forward days are over, and neither he nor Sharp troubled the opposition very much.  Hardman was the most noticeable of a disappointing line, and even he in the closing stages was completely beaten. Everton’s best efforts were checked by Robinson, and the visitors must credit their goalkeeper for the fact that they succeeded in gaining their first points on the Everton ground.  There is little to be told of a praiseworthy nature about the Everton team in any department.  Makepeace and Booth did well in the Intermediate division, and for a time Abbott shaped creditably, but they did not last. We have been accustomed to a grand spurt from Everton in the closing stages, a concentration of their forces towards a final overwhelming series of onslaughts,  but in this match just the opposite was witnessed.  Their attack was not strong enough to baffle the Birmingham resisters, for when one of the Midlanders’ rearguards was beaten there was always Robinson to get past, and he was almost invulnerable. In addition Crelley and young Robert Balmer were not as reliable as usual, and though both put in some capital work they were often at fault. Crelley was suffering from a severe blow in the face, caused by the ball striking him, and this probably affected his play. Scott was not at his best, and the Midlanders were smart enough to take advantage of the temporary lapses of their opponents. In defence Everton were the inferior side, but their forward moves, although far below what is usually seen front the members of the front rank, were slightly in advance of those displayed by the visitors. Green was the best of a moderate set of forwards in the Birmingham team, though Cornan seems a likely player, lacking only in ability when the crucial moment arrives.  But the forwards as a body were not worth considering in comparison with the full backs and goalkeeper. This was the strength of the visiting team, and the clean kicking of Stokes was not surpassed by anything seen during the game. Glover shaped finely, but the left back bore off the honours. Enough has already been said of the part taken by Robinson in this notable victory, and I should imagine the Birmingham defence will carry them along way in the League. It annexed two points for them at Goodison, and proved sufficiently strong to place the balance of two very moderate, though equal, sets of forwards slightly on their side.  Everton; Scott; Balmer (R.), Crelley; Makepeace, Booth, Abbott; Sharp, Taylor, Young, Settle and H.P. Hardman.  Birmingham; Robinson; Glover, Stokes; Beer, Wigmore, Dougherty; Tickle, Green, Jones, Cornan and Anderson.  Referee; N. Whittaker, London. 

EVERTON’S DOWNFALL
Liverpool Daily Post and Mercury- Monday 27 November 1905
Whatever may be said of the shortcomings of the Evertonians, it must be admitted that the erstwhile Heathens are a remarkably solid and well-balanced lot. Everton were struggling from the first kick to the last, and never at any time showed any marked superiority. It was not that the Blues were weak or sluggish in their efforts, but in Robinson, Stokes, Glover and Wigmore they found an almost invincible quarter. We have heard much of the Birmingham defence and the gossips have certainly not exaggerated its merit. The ground was in favour of correct dribbling and throughout the game passing was neat and accurate on both sides; but it was very soon obvious that the concerted action of the Birmingham forward line was more effective than Everton’s; in other words, the solidity of the visitors’ defence was apparent almost from the outset. The Brum custodian was kept well occupied during the game without really being much in jeopardy. So cool were the Birmingham backs and their anticipation of the flight of the ball so accurate, that the Everton attack was invariably shattered when it dashed upon this living stone wall. Sharp, Taylor, and Young seldom managed effective combination, and the Everton centre was almost important in the toils of Wigmore, Stokes, and Glover. Dougherty stuck closer than a brother to Sharp, so that the cricketer was always operating under difficulties. Sure enough Sharp did get in some swinging centres, but rarely was Young allowed to turn them to account. If there was a bright side to the home attack, it was the left wing, where Settle’s astonishing adroitness caused the Heathens much perturbation and Hardman’s speed and determination frequently made Beer kick flat indeed. But on this side was Glover, and behind the ex-Liverpool back was Robinson, the alert and watchful one, and Settle might manoeuvre on a three penny bit, and Hardman shoot straight and speedy as an arrow, bit somehow the fickle leather would not find its mark. Nevertheless Hardman and Settle played delightful football. the Birmingham attack had a more finished appearance than Everton’s; it was cleaner, and the combination was much more successful. Jones kept his wings well together, and troubled Crelley and Balmer for more than Young did the other end. Tickle was capital all through the piece, and Anderson, on the left wing, was both clever and speedy, but often failed to finish up successfully. Everton had not perhaps the best of luck, except, perhaps, in not being beaten by an extra goal when Anderson, slipping away by a full dozen yards, found himself face to face with Scott. The Everton halves were up to concert pitch, with the exception of Abbott, who was too slow for the wing opposed to him; either did Abbott appear to have a proper understanding with Hardman, whose back passes appeared to mystify the half-back. First blood meant victory for the Heathens. On the occasion of the opening goal there was distinct slackness on the Everton side in endeavouring to clear, and, against such capable opponents, slovenly methods could only mean defeat. Grand work by the left wing led up to an extremely praiseworthy equaliser. After this, for ten minutes the Evertonians were superb, and their efforts to gain the lead were herculean, if ineffectual. Crelley was absent when Birmingham scored their second, and there was a strong suspicious of offside when Tickle shot over to Cornan and he enabled his partner to beat Scott. 

TRUE BLUES
Birmingham Daily Gazette - Monday 27 November 1905
BIRMINGHAM’S BRILLIANT RECORD VICTORY
EVERTON OVERCOME.
By Forward
Everton 1 Birmingham 2
The Birmingham players distinguished themselves in a dual capacity on Saturday. They accomplished their best away performance of the season, and, perhaps more gratifying, they succeeded for the first time in the history of the club in extorting a couple of points out of Everton at Goodison Park. The greatness of the feat may be gathered from the fact that previous to Saturday Everton had lost only two points at home this season—to Newcastle United, who rather luckily scraped home by 2 to 1. On all sides it was admitted that Wigmore and his comrades were thoroughly entitled to the honours, and by a more substantial margin. If their efforts had been attended with an ounce or two of luck they might have won by four clear goals. Their form at Goodison Park was in striking contrast to that at Molineux Grounds on the previous Saturday. Against Everton we saw the true Blues-- that active, forceful, skilful. united eleven who are a credit not only to the city of Birmingham and the Midlands, but to League football.
VISITORS' EXCELLENT START.
The industrious and determined methods adopted by them at the outset made it pretty obvious that they realised the magnitude of their task. They were as lively as a cart load of monkeys. On the other hand, it took the Everton men an abnormally lengthy time to wind themselves up, and when they did they were by no means the Everton of last meson. They often shaped for mischief. but their plans never fructified. As a matter of fact there was no homogeneity about the Everton quintette, and their shooting was faulty. The game was keenly fought by Birmingham, and twenty-the minutes or so from the commencement they got their heads in front. Anderson, who had been doing some smart things, was the instigator of the successful attack. Forcing the ball along the wing and incurring it to goal, he was faced by Balmer, off whom the ball went behind. Anderson placed the corner admirably, and though Scott sprang upwards and fisted the ball away, it was returned to Jones, who, after making several smart feints, shot it over the line.
A DOUBTIFUL GOAL.
It was a displeasing experience for Everton, who subsequently exhibited desperation, and forty minutes from the start they got on level terms through a questionable decision on the part of the referee. Hardman cantered along the wing with the hall at his toe, and though temporarily checked by Glover he went forward again, and shot with terrific force along the ground. Robinson stopped the ball on the goal line, and picking it up threw it away. Being well up the field, Mr. Whittaker was obviously not in a position to say whether the ball had crossed the line. He consulted one of the linesmen who, likewise, was not well placed, and pointed to the centre. Robinson's version of the incident was that the ball never wholly crossed the line, and thus view was supported by many Everton supporters who were near the goal. Happily it did not affect the result of the game, although it had a marked effect upon the home team for the time being. They made matters very warm for the visiting defence who; however, prevailed until the interval. The early stages of the second half were spiritedly fought. Everton were more often the aggressive party, but their prevailing fault was the ineffectiveness of the forwards, whose doings compared unfavourably with those of the Birmingham five. BIRMINGHAM'S SUPREMACY.
In the closing stages Birmingham clearly demonstrated their superiority. The defence was always too much for the Everton forwards, who alternated in an uneven live, while, on the other hand, the Birmingham vanguard harassed the life out of the home defenders. Time and again Jones, Green, Anderson, and Tickle came near getting through, and eventually the Sunderland man met with success. It was a smart bout by Green that led to the goal. Cleverly outmanoeuvring several adversaries, he passed the ball across to Anderson, who, unmolested, was awaiting its coming. He calmly headed it into the corner of the net opposite to that guarded by Scott. Following this there was only one team in it - and it wasn't Everton, who became a very mediocre brigade. The visitors thirsted for goats, and had not Cornan hesitated to shoot when admirably placed, he might have put on a third. He was very unlucky, as was Anderson in the last few minutes. The latter got the better of both Makepeace and Balmer, and, speeding along unopposed, a goal seemed inevitable. Alas ! the ball struck the upright, and rebounded into a ruck of players, who had by now arrived. Anderson's run had evidently overcome him, and he had not sufficient strength to shoot. Everton were lucky to escape with two goals against them. On the day's play they were outclassed. Their forwards were off colour and their half-backs were unable to hold the nippy Birmingham forwards. The best men on the side were Balmer, who gave a fine display, at back, and Hardman, who a clever and speedy outside left.
PRAISE FOR VICTORS.
The whole of the Birmingham men were in capital form. Robinson's goalkeeping was brilliant, quite worthy of international honours, and Stokes and Glover made a powerful back division, the former being at his best. Beer, Wigmore and Dougherty were a great half-back line, while Anderson and Green were the most successful of a remarkably good forward line. The value of the two points cannot he over-estimated, and a repetition of such form will most assuredly gain Birmingham chief honours this season.

SAUCY BRUMS BEAT EVERTON
Liverpool Echo - Monday 27 November 1905
Bee
For the second time this season the Blues have been bearded in their own den. Birmingham could not beat Everton at Goodison or the Villa under the title of Small Heath. Other names, other results. For the first time in their history have they taken the points from Goodison, and as the game went I though Everton deserved a point. A draw would have been a nice reflex or a boisterous game, which was full of incident-good or bad. To quote a Chirgwin effort, one would strike the lyre thus;-
  What price the saucy boys of Birmingham
  Sure, you could not find a single germ in ‘um.
  What they don’t know there is no learning ‘um,
   As they go marching along.
No copyright has been obtained for this song, which goes to a well-known tune.
The rival forwards were incomparable. On the one hand the men were met by a goalkeeper keeping his charge in fine style when the forwards did aim straight, and on the other hand the Birmingham Blues, who wore white for the occasion, were represented by five young fellows of average age of twenty-three, whose whole beings and actions showed that they were in the prime of life- from a football point of view. They realised that there has recently been a revolution in football, the old skilful exhibitions and draught-board like passing having given way to what one might term “goals got by dash.” These five gave traces of passing movements at times with a little artistic work thrown in. generally speaking, however, they were chiefly on the attack through determination. Knowing that the visitors had a defence of great soundness, the Blues should have made up their minds to shoot accurately and steadily at every possible moment. They enjoyed the better of the exchanges in each half, and to my mind the run of the play almost warranted a draw of 2-2. But when the home men were strangely fagging all through. One of the main reasons of Everton’s defeat was that Dougherty, having heard that Sharp was in extra fine form, made it his duty to shadow the cricketer. He left Taylor on his own- that is why the inside man’s display was all the more displeasing-and sort of said to his rival “Whitherever thou goest, I got.” His mission was fulfilled with the utmost success. Sharp could not once get going, and his centres were missed. Then Young did not do anything to seriously trouble the opposition. He should copy Hewitt’s example, and pot at goal frequently never caring an atom if certain of his efforts are wide of the mark. If he perseveres he will get one or more in. Not to shoot at all- that’s useless. Settle was not happy in his position and Hardman was always grafting with terrific vigour. He was the one man of the line, and did quite three men’s work. That was a stinging shot with which he equalised the scores-there was not a shadow of a doubt that the ball had passed the line. Would that we could impart an ounce of Hardman into the other members! The half line was good without being speedy. The latter was a deterring factor. There was a weakness in the defence. Crelley was off the field when the second Heath goal was scored, Booth receding instead of tackling, and Tickle midfield through and passed to Anderson to head past Scott, who was suffering from an ulcerated mouth. The visitors have a man of might in Robinson. Without this splendid custodian, who cleared from all quarters in masterly fashion, the Heath must have had a loss, not victory; although, be it said, they are immensely sound backs before him- Stokes in particular. Beer, who holds an organist’s position at a Sheffield church, was not up to concert pitch, not was Cornan. Anderson was hypnotised when he had a clear run, and shot against the post! Jones distributed the play evenly, and got his eighth goal of the season.

EVERTON BEATEN BY WOOLWICH FOP A PLAYER’S SERVICE
Liverpool Echo - Tuesday 28 November 1905
Bee
One journalistic writer sits calmly in his chair and tells the public that the Everton record is nothing to cry out about. Fortunately the Everton directors are alive to the situation-players are needed, and that badly. They missed Bert Freeman, of whom nothing has been written in the newspapers, knowing of the need for shootists, I recommended the Everton officials to seek out this player, who cost Villa a mere nothing, £20 being paid his club, titled Aston Manor. Woolwich nipped in, and must have paid £300 for him. He was only signed just in time for the Arsenal match, and proceeded from his home straight to Nottingham, where he obtained the Arsenal’s only goal. He was playing on the left with Templeton-not a tempting position. Besides, he is a centre forward.  Standing a good figure, he will make Woolwich a useful goal-getter, I think. He is twenty years old so that he has plenty of time to further develop. It is just possible that Hampton would not be Villa’s centre man had not Freeman’s father stipulated that he should not, for the present at any-rate, help the first team. This is not the only player the Blues are after; and we must be on the look out for news of new players.

HARRY MAKEPEACE
Hull Daily Mail - Wednesday 29 November 1905
Harry Makepeace, the speedy Everton footballer, has joined the Old Trafford ground staff. Makepeace has done excellent service as a batman and fair change bowler, right arm slow, for the Stanley and other clubs in the neighborhood of Liverpool, and those who know him well fore-shadow fame for him, now that he has received recognition from the County authorities.

EVERTON DIRECTORS AND TEAM CHOOSING
Liverpool Echo - Wednesday 29 November 1905
Bee
The Everton selectors have a problem to face. They met last night to choose the team, and postponed their final selection. Meanwhile correspondents are offering all sorts of suggestions. “True Blue” admits that every man in the team is individually clever, and goes on to say that what is wanted is dash and better attempts at goal-getting. “Young played well with Sharp at Sunderland, and why drop him like a hot potato? Abbott came as a forward to Everton, and as a shot at goal is one of the finest in the country. His record at Small Heath proves it- 39 goals in one season. Make him the pivot.”
Lancashire C.C.C will next season be able to call upon the services of two Everton footballers- namely, John Sharp and Harry Makepeace. The latter has joined the Old Trafford ground staff, and one commends the country authorities for seeking out youthful talent. With Cook, and others, the club will in years to come fine first-class performers. Lancashire’s gain is Stanley’s loss. As a batsman Makepeace will prove a steady run-getter, and as a bowler he will, with slows from his right arm, prove an acceptable change trundler. Experience is his need now.

EVERTON F.C
Liverpool Echo - Thursday 30 November 1905
IMPORTANT CHANGES FOR THEIR NEXT MATCH
Everton F.C directors have chosen the following team to meet Wolverhampton Wanderers;- Scott, goal; Hill and R. Balmer, backs; Taylor, Booth and Abbott, halves; Sharp, Makepeace, Young, Settle, and Hardman, forwards.
Thus it will be seen that Makepeace is to be tried at inside right, and that the half-back line will include Taylor. As back Hill deputises for Crelley, who has not got over a cut on the head sustained last week.