EARLY SHOCK AT GOODISON
September 2, 1946.
The Liverpool Daily Post
Everton Confused by Clever Brentford Combination
Everton 0, Brentford 2 (Wilkins, pen and McAloon)
By Bee (Ernest Edwards)
Did Roberts fall, or was he pushed? This vital question was asked early in the game on Everton’s ground on Saturday. A winger stumbling along, looking a sure scorer but off his balance would tumble after the slightest contact with Jackson. Robert’s went to earth – so did Everton’s hearts. The referee was well placed to decide. The ball was spotted, but not spot-barred, as Wilkins scored Brentford’s first goal.
This was a stunning blow to the pre-war champions. It was the elixir of life Brentford, because Roberts, ex-Bristol, has been made a professional less than two days before. Brentford went from success to success. They knew in tactical grace and splendour and no team can excel their method of using the ankle-pass. Contrariwise, Everton went from good to moderate, to worse, finally making a dashing finale without result, because meantime McAloon had scored a second goal. The gulf between the teams was this; Everton took four strides in trying to make a pass; Brentford made their pass and advanced to receive a return pass. Brentford were precise and combined. Everton individualists.

Test of Height
Mcllhatton should have been better served. His call for the ball insisted on a quick return and through pass, but this he did not get. Everton’s attack lacked the fluency of its old style. They were patchy and in meeting the tall heading Smith. Catterick had to have the ball grounded; instead, most of his efforts were a test of height, in which he could never hope to combat Smith. This was not the real Everton. The penalty-hung over the whole side with the exception of Tom Jones, whose form was just what Welsh selectors Calvin Hughes and Secretary Powell needed.

The Mercer Pass
Mercer, object of most conversation in the crowd, offered the classic pass of the afternoon, worked in his own distinction style. Like others, he could not get his other passes right perhaps because some of the forwards took up foolish positions – they tended to go into the built-up areas, instead of the open spaces. No this was not Everton’s day and it will not recur if the team become more practical more connected, and more certain of the direction of their passes. Let them emulate Brentford’s go-ahead movements, especially those of the right wing, consisting of the new boy Roberts and a key man. Wilkins, with McAloon a lively force at inside-right. Everton; Burnett, goal; Jackson and Greenhalgh (captain), backs; Mercer, Jones and Watson, half-backs; Mcllhatton, Wainwright, Catterick, Fielding and Boyes, forwards. Brentford; Crozier, goal; Gorman and Oliver, backs; Scott, Smith and Brown, half-backs; Hopkins, McAloon, Townsend, Wilkins, and Roberts, forwards. Referee; Mr. S.E. Law (West Bromwich).

One Change
Everton visit Villa Park tonight to play Aston Villa. The Goodison Park side shows one change –at inside right, where Livingstone, signed from Bury during the close season, comes in for Wainwright, who is unable to get leave.
Teams; Burnett, Jackson, Greenhalgh; Mercer, Jones, Watson; Mcllhatton, Livingstone, Catterick, Fielding, Boyes