Match Report

Hayes
2
Hendon
2
Date:
Monday 13 April 1931
Competition:
Athenian League
Attendance:
Unknown
Venue:
Hayes

Match Report

There was no trace of end-of-the-season staleness in the Athenian League match between Hampstead and Hayes, at Hayes, on Monday night. It resulted in a draw of two goals all, a very fair result.

Having a big share of the play in the first half, Hayes led at the interval by two goals to nil, but within five minutes of the change-over Bucci had brought the scores level with two grand shots. After that Hampstead put up a very strong attack, but Gower played a splendid game at left-back and was well supported by Maskell. Later the home side had the advantage of a penalty kick for handling, but Smith had no trouble with Gower's shot.

The game was fast from start to finish. It was only possible to play 40 minutes each way because of the late start, but this was quite enough for the players, most of whom had been engaged on Saturday. Hayes put out a much stronger side than was expected. Seven of the Amateur Cup eleven were in the field.

Hampstead had nine of the eleven that played at Cheshunt on Saturday. P.A. Rees was at centre-half in place of G. Bucci, who went centre-forward in the absence of F.P. Evans; and D. Levy, an old player who has been helping Dulwich Hamlet, filled S.J. Moore's place at outside-left.

Hampstead's display was much better than that given at Cheshunt, but until the second half was commenced they were not so dangerous in front of goal as the Hayes men, who played a very open game. Knight was again an impressive winger, but towards the end Compton had taken his measure and was able to check many of his movements.

There was a possibilty that Hayes's first goal might have been saved but for the fact that it was thought that the ball had crossed the touchline before Knight put in his centre. He centred so accurately that Morgan had no difficulty in heading the ball through. Much better value could be placed upon Morgan's second goal, scored at the end of thirty minutes.

Hampstead's forwards were apt to get offside, thus spoiling good intentions, but while there were several hard shots, notably one from Morton, the finishing, generally speaking, was weak, and it would be unfair to say that Hayes did not deserve to lead when the time came to change over.

Time being precious, the teams did not leave the field, and in the first five minutes of the second half Hampstead brought the scores level. Bucci's goals were of the tip-top order. One knows he is not easily shaken off when he is making for goal, and in scoring the second he beat three opponents and put in a cross-shot with which Holding was powerless. Holding was lucky in not being beaten a third time just afterwards.

Hayes tried desperately hard to recover lost ground, and it seemed that they would succeed when the referee granted them a penalty kick, but Smith consummated brilliant work by stopping Gower's shot.

Both League games between Hayes and Hampstead have therefore resulted in draws, and although Hayes have the better record in Cup-ties, Hampstead promise to be above them in the League table when the programme is completed.

Report by Hendon Times & Guardian, 17/04/1931, p.12

Hampstead

1
Sid Smith
2
Frank Dean
3
Leslie Compton
4
Freddy Young
5
Percy Rees
6
Bill Butland
7
Bill Bramley
8
Harry Walsh
9
George Bucci
10
Bill Morton
11
David Levy

Match Events

J Morgan
20''
J Morgan
31''
42''
George Bucci
45''
George Bucci

Hayes

1
T Holding
2
J Maskell
3
H H Gower
4
E C Caesar
5
? McGowen
6
A Sceeney
7
C Knight
8
R G Rowe
9
J Morgan
10
S Long
11
? Barrs