1894/95 Division 1 - Week 12
Walsall Town Swifts vs. Bootle
A big top table fight here between 3rd and 4th place teams. Walsall currently sit in 4th place and a win over the reigning champions at West Bromwich Road would be massively important if they want to push on and start threatening to take the title this season. Bootle started off the match strong with a goal in the 14th minute, but after that goal the home-side seemed to get spurred on, taking more control as the match goes on leading to a goal in the 34th minute. They look the better side but fail to capitalise on the momentum as the match goes on and just as the match is nearing its conclusion, an 88th minute winner goes in to move the Swifts up to 3rd place.
Middlesbrough Ironopolis vs. Sheffield United
It has been a miserable season for the Sheffield United fans who have only seen 2 goals in their 11 games of the season so far as they now head up to Paradise to take on an Ironopolis side that has been decent so far. It's a typical game for Sheffield United's attack as they look miserable with a single good chance to score. For Ironpolis, it's pure misery as Sheffield United's keeper appears to have made some sort of deal. With who, I am not sure, but 6 brilliant saves meant that a relentless attack from Ironopolis somehow resulted in 0 goals, forcing them to split the points with a clearly weaker side and somehow pulling Sheffield United temporarily out of the relegation play-off spots (unless Everton, Darwen or Wolves win).
Everton vs. Blackburn Rovers
This feels like a pretty obvious as Everton, currently sitting in the relegation play-off spots, welcome 2nd place Blackburn Rovers to Goodison Park. Based on how the two sides have looked it feels like this match can only really go one way. While Everton did get a surprising amount of the ball, Blackburn's attack was still better and scoring in the 28th and 41st minutes moving Blackburn up to first (awaiting Preston's result), while Everton drop to 15th.
Preston North End vs. West Bromwich Albion
Preston are looking to return to their title winning way with an undefeated streak of 11 games so far this season, going up against a West Brom side who are doing their usual trick of being forgettably average. This match West Brom were not forgettably average, with a more accurate description probably being incredibly rubbish. It was clear why Preston were challenging for the title in this match as the scored a first in the 34th minute and a second in the 41st. Another two goals in the second half (62nd & 76th minutes) took the scoreline up to 4-0 and handed Preston a dominant win.
Birmingham St. George's vs. Aston Villa
The Birmingham Derby match returns again this season between two sides that have been disappointing this season. The Dragons welcome the Villains to Cape Hill Brewery having just recently started pulling themselves away from the relegation battle, while Aston Villa are still way out of the title race that fans have come to expect. Both teams will be desperately after the win again their rivals here and it will certainly be interesting to see who can come away with the win. Aston Villa open the scoring with a goal in the 23rd minute and look the better side throughout the match. St George's do look fairly competitive throughout the match however but fail to ever find a chance to win it, leaving the match with only a single goal scored.
The Wednesday vs. Darwen
A match where the home side are the clear favourites as Wednesday sit in the group just outside the title fight and welcome Darwen who struggled to find a win for much of the early part of this season. With Darwen having recently found form however they could be tougher opponents that initially let on. This match had a lot of chances with both sides having strong attacks. Darwen looked to better side in the first half, scoring on the edge of half time to take the lead at the break. This however fired up The Wednesday attack as they had chance, after chance after chance, scoring two in the 52nd and 77th minutes to win the match.
Sunderland Albion vs. Derby County
Derby County started this season off quite strong and for a while looked like they might shockingly end up in the title fight only to start sinking through the table with their form recently looking poor. Sunderland Albion on the other hand got off to a rocky start but are now pushing towards the top of the table, sitting just below the chasing pack of teams like Walsall and Wednesday. Derby got off to a quick start, with an 8th minute goal. This lead would not last long however as Albion would score in the 23rd to tie things up. It was pretty clear who the better side were throughout this match and a 52nd minute goal would see Albion walk away the deserved winners.
Wolverhampton Wanderers vs. Liverpool
It is a miserable season to be a Wolves fan, having only got to see the team win once all season long and sitting at the bottom of the Division 1 table. Recently promoted Liverpool is not going to be an easy game either, with expectations of this being another loss to be suffered at the Molineux. Wolves were in the match for much of the game and could have potential taken a draw or even win against the away side but only one side was able to make their chances hit the back of the net and that was the away side, with Liverpool scoring twice in the second half to leave Wolves bottom of the table.
- DinoKea