Match Report

Hendon
2
Wealdstone
4
Date:
Tuesday 26 December 1939
Competition:
Friendly
Attendance:
Unknown
Venue:
Golders Green

Match Report

At home on Boxing Day, Golders Green looked like making a better fight of it, but they went down to Wealdstone by 4-2. though they had a good share of the play and often gave the visiting defence considerable trouble.

W. Boston, who was injured at Wealdstone, did not turn out, and his place was taken by Ward, who gave a better display at back. Ellison filled the centre-forward position. Wealdstone made several changes.

Golders Green had to face driving rain in the first half, and Wealdstone made good use of the advantage. The home defence were hard worked in the opening stages, and Hart brought off some spectacular saves. The Green's passing was weak and they were slower on the ball than the visitors.

But Golders Green were the first to score, Ellison beating two men to convert a centre from F. Boston.

Wealdstone equalised within two minutes, Nicholson getting in off a long pass across from the left wing, and Wealdstone had more of the game for the next 20 minutes, but Griffin nearly restored the lead for Golders Green with a shot that swerved just outside the net. Bucci also went near with a lovely shot, and F. Boston was unlucky not to find the net.

Golders Green several times looked like scoring again, but Wealdstone took the lead when Wilson got his head to one of Schofield's centres. Their third came from Barker, who found the corner of the net with a beautiful free-kick from five yards outside the penalty area.

Wealdstone held the lead to half-time, though the Green did not deserve to be two down.

Scrappy play opened the second half, with Wealdstone showing superiority in speed and passing, and they scored again through Schofield after Hart had made several clearances.

F. Boston had hardly a kick, but he was going well once when he was pulled up by an offside ruling about which there was some doubt. He forced a couple of corners soon afterwards, though they brought no result, and when the halves remembered his existence he reached the goalkeeper with a typical left-footer.

Eventually Ellison reduced the lead, running across the goal to head in a free-kick by Robson - a fine bit of work. Golders Green put on pressure too late to save the game.

Report by Hendon Times & Guardian, 29/12/1939, p.2

Golders Green

1
A E Hart
2
Ralph Ward
3
Len Bustard
4
Harry Robson
5
A Lovell
6
George Bucci
7
A J "Billy" Breagan
8
Ted Owen
9
Les "Jock" Ellison
10
J W Griffin
11
Fred Boston

Match Events

8''
Les "Jock" Ellison
R Nicholson
10''
J Wilson
31''
C Barker
40''
J Schofield
55''
75''
Les "Jock" Ellison

Wealdstone

1
R Lewis
2
D Scott
3
C Barker
4
K Baldwin
5
R Bidewell
6
L Gain
7
R Nicholson
8
H Dyke
9
C Bunce
10
J Wilson
11
J Schofield