Match Report

Hendon
3
Enfield
2
Date:
Saturday 11 November 1939
Competition:
Hertfordshire & Middlesex Combination
Attendance:
Unknown
Venue:
Golders Green

Match Report

Fred Boston returned to the forward line for Golders Green's match with Enfield on Saturday, and produced some of the spirit that has been needed. Ellison came in again at centre-forward, but the Green were without Lovell, still suffering from injury, and his place was taken - not too well - by Robson. W. Boston changed over to left-back in the absence of Tommy Casewll, who was expected to turn out after a long absence, and Ward filled the right-back position, where he was an absolute revelation, doing consistently valuable work in this unaccustomed berth. Graves gave a pleasing display, especially in the second half, and at inside-left Cochrane got through a tremendous amount of work. Breagan seemed to have lost some of his speed on the right wing.

Enfield had to make several changes in the team announced. Hinsby moved across to the left wing in place of Dawes, who shifted to left-back, while Constable played at outside-right and Hollobread took the centre-forward position.

Golders Green suffered an early reverse, Graves miskicking and thereby letting Hinsby through for an easy shot which carried past Barlow and into the far corner of the net. Bucci made a good try for goal after a wing run by F. Boston, and Cochrane sent in a near first-timer off Breagan, but the equaliser came from Fred Boston, with one of his famous left-foot drives, following a corner. Graves went near with a shot at fair range, and Bennett did well to hold one from Ellison.

Ward was playing a grand, intelligent game, but Robson looked out of his class.

F. Boston deserved another goal when he skimmed the crossbar after beating two men, and again when he made Bennett put the ball up for a corner. Then Owen shot over the top.

Golders Green were all round the goal and every forward had a shot, Bucci also joining in, but Bennett kept the net clear.

For the next 15 minutes only Bennett's brilliant play in goal saved the visitors, but against the run of play Enfield regained the lead through a grand solo effort by Constable, who beat Graves and Ward and got home with a hard ground-shot. Half-time: Golders Green 1; Enfield 2.

Golders Green pressed at the restart, and Bucci promised an equaliser with a flashing drive off Breagan's centre, but Bennett went down and smothered the shot. Cochrane forced a corner and Ellison another, but both were cleared, and Bennett held from W. Boston. A shot over the bar by Owen and two more corners followed. Then Breagan placed a corner kick well and Ward passed to Ellison, who headed neatly in to place the Green on level terms. Cochrane and Ellison worked three more corners, and some refreshing first-timers came from F. Boston, while Graves was playing a much better game of late.

But Owen gave the Green the lead, converting a quick pass from Bucci and completely beating the goalkeeper.

It was good to see Fred Boston on the wing again. In theory he should have centred more than he did, but he certainly brought in the hard and quick shooting for lack of which the Green have been suffering. If the inside men will do more of this, winning goals will come more often.

Report by Hendon Times & Guardian, 17/11/1939, p.2

Golders Green

1
Stan Barlow
2
Ralph Ward
3
Bill Boston
4
Harry Robson
5
Ron Graves
6
George Bucci
7
A J "Billy" Breagan
8
Ted Owen
9
Les "Jock" Ellison
10
A "Mac" Cochrane
11
Fred Boston

Match Events

G Hinsby
5''
10''
Fred Boston
C Constable
40''
64''
Les "Jock" Ellison
80''
Ted Owen

Enfield

1
F J Bennett
2
P G Wallace
3
A W Dawes
4
W C Heal
5
S Preston
6
R Lewin
7
C Constable
8
W J Magner
9
F Hollobread
10
G R Phillips
11
G Hinsby