1894/95 Division 1 - Week 6
West Bromwich Albion vs. Bootle
Our first match of the week takes us out to Stoney Lane to see reigning Champions Bootle take on the home side West Bromwich Albion. Bootle sit in 3rd place, 1 point off top following a loss earlier in the season to Preston in Week 3, while West Brom have been as middling as it gets for the whole season. Bootle look the better side throughout the course of the match, but their attack is not good enough, while West Brom still have a couple good chances despite less possession. It ends with neither sides finding the winning goal though, with both sides splitting the points and no goals scored.
Blackburn Rovers vs. Aston Villa
Blackburn once again sit right in the title fight after leading the way for most of last season, while Aston Villa have really struggled to get going, sitting in 10th position and having only got their first win of the season last week. It is the home side who look slightly better throughout this match, although it is clear both sides are of a similar quality. Both defences hold out well however and it is only a goal in the 83rd that sees Blackburn Rovers claim their 5th win of the season at Ewood Park.
Sheffield United vs. Darwen
The next match of this week is out at Bramall Lane, where fans of the Blades will be hoping to finally get to see their side score a goal against the team that has conceded the most goals in the league, Darwen. Unsurprisingly, given this information, both these sides are also in the bottom 4, so getting points in this match will be very important for the survival hopes of both sides. It is clear who the better side in this match is, as Sheffield United score their first goal of the season and then a second as they successfully put away the Darwen defence.
Walsall Town Swifts vs. Derby County
It has been a good start to the season for both of these sides as Derby County head out to West Bromwich Road as the surprise members of the top 5, while the Swifts still sit in the top half of the table. Both sides are fairly evenly matched, but it was Derby who had more chances scoring in the 37th minute to take the lead. Walsall changed tactics at half-time however and came into the match more during the second half, scoring the equaliser in the 73rd minute to share the points.
Middlesbrough Ironopolis vs. Liverpool
Neither of these sides have had the most impressive starts to the season, with both sitting outside the bottom half, but also with the decent cushion between them and the play-off places as they meet at Paradise Ground. Despite sitting lower in the table, Ironopolis dominant the away sides, having multiple good chances saved with a goal in the 43rd minute being the only goal in the match putting both sides into a perfectly balanced record of 2-2-2 with 4-4 goal difference.
Everton vs. Wolverhampton Wanderers
The two sides predicted to be worst in the league face off this week, with the winner set to be just outside the play-offs while the loser will end the week in the play-off spots. It is a really bad result for the away side and Wolves fans such as myself as Everton look far and away the better side, even if they scored just the once in the 67th minute to take the victory, putting Wolves back into the playoff spots.
Preston North End vs. Sunderland Albion
Preston North End sit top of the table currently but will lose they top spot if they are unable to secure a win against the visitors. Albion come to Deepdale undefeated in their last 4 matches, having last conceded a goal in their very poor opening display against Blackburn. A win for Preston would keep them on top of the table, while a win for Albion would rocket them right up into the title fight. Preston break down Albion's defence within the first 5 minutes to take the lead in what would end up being the only goal of the game as despite constant pressure, Preston could never find the back of the net for the rest of the match.
Birmingham St. George's vs. The Wednesday
It is a match off two differing fortunes as The Wednesday head out to Cape Hill Brewery to take on the relegation play-off threatened Dragons. The Wednesday have not lost a match all season, Birmingham St. George's are still looking for their first win. Unsurprisingly, this match was one sided. Goals in the 41st, 55th, 65th and 89th minute went unanswered despite a few decent chances. What was surprising however if that it was the Dragons scoring all of those goal, improving their goal difference enough to move outside the relegation play-offs and drop Everton back in.
- DinoKea