Match Report

Hendon
0
Botwell Mission
1
Date:
Saturday 11 May 1929
Competition:
Middlesex Charity Cup
Attendance:
6000
Venue:
Brentford

Match Report

From the Hendon & Finchley Times, 17/05/1929, p.11 :

Hampstead rang down the curtain on Saturday in disappointing fashion, Botwell Mission beating them by one goal to nil in the final of the Middlesex Charity Cup on the Brentford ground before a good crowd. Botwell just deserved their win, the finishing work of the forwards being better than that of the Hampstead side, but probably the result would have been different had Shearcroft been able to play. An injury in the match with Leyton compelled him to stand down, although he was on the ground. Another disability was the unfitness of Bucci for a stern game, as he had barely recovered from a severe attack of tonsillitis. It was evident towards the end of the game that he could not give of his best.

With the advantage of the wind Hampstead had the better of the first half, but no goals were scored. While their midfield play was impressive, the Botwell goal-keeper was seldom troubled with shots that could be called difficult. As a line the forwards worked in unison, but there was lacking that little bit of punch which tells. Sherman played determinedly, never sparing himself if there was the slightest chance of getting the ball, and had Shearcroft been in the centre some of the right-wing centres might have been converted. Bucci's lack of stature was against him. The backs on either side were not too sound, and it was therefore surprising that neither goal-keeper was beaten. They were often helped by the half-backs, Young on more than one occasion saving in the nick of time. The ground was in a condition which tended to fast play, and the game was really worth watching, despite the lack of really exciting incidents. Not until a minute or two before half-time was a corner kick taken, this falling to Botwell, but Young prevented disaster.

The only goal of the match came twenty-five minutes after the resumption through Harmsworth, his shot from close in being of the unstoppable kind. There was a mild protest from Hampstead on the ground that before the ball was put to Harmsworth it had crossed the touch-line, but after consulting a linesman the referee gave Botwell the point. Playing in determined fashion, Hampstead frequently came near to scoring, and for ten minutes or more Walter was constantly on the move. The pressure was such that a goal seemed inevitable, but good head shots by Mead, Moore and Potter went a few inches wide and shots from other forwards came to naught. Then Botwell rallied, but failed to add to their score.

A good deal of vigour marked the closing stages and among those in the wars were Knight and Wardlaw, the former being off the field for a short time with a damaged eye.

Apart from the goal-keeper, Rowe, Kershaw, Knight and Harmsworth were in good form for Botwell; and of the Hampstead side Sherman, Young, Mead and Shorland are to be commended.

The cup was presented to the Botwell Mission captain by Mr. Barton, a director of the Brentford F.C. He was introduced by Mr. W.W. Heard, a memberof the F.A., who has done so much to further football in Middlesex. Mr. Heard said all would agree that they had seen a fine sporting game. Mr. Barton mentioned that there were no medals to distribute. This meant that the players had been fighting simply in the cause of charity, and he thought they deserved hearty cheers. In presenting the cup to Botwell, he hoped that Hampstead would win it next year.

On the initiative of the Botwell captain, cheers were given for the Hampstead players.
________________________________________________________________________________
From the Middlesex Advertiser and County Gazette, 17/05/1929, p.15 :

A fast and exciting game between Botwell Mission and Hampstead was witnessed by a crowd of about 6,000 spectators at Brentford on Saturday, and resulted in Botwell again lifting the Senior Charity trophy. They just about deserved the honour. It was a fitting climax to the season, and to the last game under their old name, a name which they have carried sportingly and with great success for twenty years.

Hampstead settled down more quickly than Botwell, and certainly had the better of the opening exchanges but never looked really dangerous until Potter got through but missed his shot. Powell also failed for Botwell before Joy "brought down the house" with a fine attempt, and Treasure had narrowly missed with a fine shot from an opening which he cleverly made for himself. Hampstead tried both wings, but without success, Sceeney subduing Moore on the left, and giving this dangerous winger no rope whatever. Knight contributed a fine solo run, beating three men cleverly, but was eventually baulked as he shot. A drive from Bucci brought Walter to his knees, but he held fast to the ball although surrounded by players. Joy went away again on the left, but failed badly when right through. A feature of the play at this point was the fine runs of Knight and Kershaw, although lacking the support of Sceeney, who had sustained a rather bad ankle injury. Half-time : 0-0.

Botwell with the wind behind them played delightful football, and completely overplayed their opponents for a time. Knight got in a fine shot but this was well held by Smith, as was also a shot by Treasure. Hampstead defended well at this period, and all efforts of the Botwell forwards were frustrated until Kershaw retrieved the ball after he had once lost it to the left back. Beating his man he whipped across a hard centre which Harmsworth stopped and then volleyed in. Hampstead players clustered round the referee, appealing that the ball had crossed the line before Kershaw centred, but apparently neither the referee or the linesman had any doubts. Hampstead rallied, but Botwell held on to their lead, mainly owing to fine play by Rowe, who was outstanding throughout, and the many fine saves by Walter. Result: Botwell, 1; Hampstead, 0.

This is the fourth time the Mission have won the Cup.

All the team played well. Sceeney, Knight, Stirling and Brooks all finished with injuries, which shows the pluck and tenacity of the team generally, but the rest will certainly not mind Rowe and Walter being mentioned as outstanding.

Hampstead

1
Sid Smith
2
Jimmy Shorland
3
Albert Parsons
4
Freddy Young
5
H J Mead
6
Bob Wardlaw
7
Freddie Sherman
8
Harry Vanner
9
George Bucci
10
A G Potter
11
Stan Moore

Match Events

J Harmsworth
70''

Botwell Mission

1
W H Walter
2
J Brooks
3
J Stirling
4
A Sceeney
5
R G Rowe
6
C Powell
7
G Kershaw
8
C Knight
9
J Harmsworth
10
G Treasure
11
R Joy