The Thistle Archive

The Everton ground at Anfield Road was very hard on Saturday, and the day intensely cold, but this did not deter some 5000 spectators from lining the enclosure to witness the fixture with Partick Thistle. The latter brought a very strong team, and Everton were also fully represented, except for the absence of Fleming, whose place was occupied by Finlay. A late start was made, and the visitors at once made a raid on the Everton goal, which for a time was the scene of a very stiff struggle. Dobson held his opponents well at bay, but eight minutes from the start Dick missed his kick, and Johnston drew first blood for Thistle. On restarting, Partick again took up the attack, but a bad kick by Caldwell nullified a good movement, and a moment later Suter likewise made another poor finish to a pretty combined run. Everton now had a look in, going away at a great pace, and a smart skirmish took place in dangerous proximity to the visitors’ goal. The ball was driven away, and Marshall, settling on it, severely tested Joliffe with a splendid screw. The same player afterwards made poor use of a nice opportunity, but Dick was forced to concede a corner. After Dobson had rushed the ball away, Partick again returned in a beautiful passing movement, when Dobson gallantly repulsed the attacking party at a critical moment. Some tricky play on the part Higgins was followed by a free-kick and fierce scrimmage in the home goal. The ball was worked to the other end, and here Stevenson gave Duff, the Thistle goalkeeper, an exceedingly warm shot to negotiate, and play ruled even for a space. Everton attacked much better, and Briscoe earned great applause for a very neat run on the Everton right. Dick next made a good attempt to lift the ball over the houses, and Everton again troubled the Thistle defenders. A smart scrimmage was followed by a corner kick, The ball being beautifully placed, was scrimmaged fiercely for a space; but the crowd broke into enthusiastic cheering when Gibson shot through the Partick goal. The home forwards then swarmed to the attack, and Richards made a splendid attempt to obtain a leading point, a corner resulting. This was poorly taken, and Everton stuck persistently to the attack for a period, and Dobson splendidly foiled the efforts of the visitors to raise the siege. Richards again had a shy, but took bad aim, and half-time found the teams on an equal footing, each having scored a goal. The second half opened with a preliminary skirmish in the Thistle goal, but the centre forward went away well, and a corner fell to the visitors. The ball was headed just a trifle wide, when, from the kick out, Farmer raced away to the other end, his shot passing over the bar. Again, Dobson was the cynosure, his resolute tackling at a crisis provoking much applause. Briscoe again ran through, but failed to get a point; and this was followed by a dangerous shot at the Everton goal, which Joliffe saved well. Dick now showed much better play, and was conspicuous during a prolonged assault on the Everton goal. Towards the finish Farmer won a corner, which, proving abortive, was followed by a bad shot of Richards, when the goal appeared at his mercy. Play was most exciting towards the finish, and Everton made several gallant attempts, but in vain.

Liverpool Mercury, Monday, 3rd January, 1887

.