Match Report

Hendon
1
Bostall Heath
3
Date:
Saturday 17 January 1925
Competition:
FA Amateur Cup
Attendance:
3500
Venue:
Hampstead Town

Match Report

Hampstead Town met Bostall Heath on Saturday at Cricklewood-lane in the second round of the Amateur Cup, the match attracting an attendance of 3,500, which was nearly a record for the ground. The visitors, who occupy fourth place in the London League - a position similar to that taken by Hampstead in the Athenian League - gave a fine display, and had the satisfaction of inflicting the first home defeat on Hampstead for nearly two seasons by three goals to one. They more readily adapted themselves to the muddy conditions of the ground than Hampstead, they were smarter on the ball, and both individually and in general team work were the better side.

Young, who captained the Hampstead team, won the toss, but there was little advantage in having choice of positions. For a time play was fairly even, both goalkeepers giving a fine exposition. Balloch, in the visitors' goal, played a safe and confident game, and Goodwin also made many fine clearances. The best work for Hampstead came from the left wing, Wise and Smith co-operating well; while on the other side the outside men, Heard and Toby, showed a good turn of speed, having regard to the conditions. They also knew the location of the goal. It was through the combined efforts of this pair that the scoring was opened after 22 minutes play. Heard got away on the wing, and putting in a fine centre enabled Toby to give the visitors the lead.

Hampstead played better after this reverse, and hard luck was experienced following a shot by Irwin, a desperate scrimmage taking place on the goal-line. Other good attempts were made, Smith often beating his man and sending in good centres from the touch-line, but there was a palpable weakness in the centre, and many good chances went astray. Much credit, however, was due to Balloch for keeping his charge intact: one less experienced would have been beaten two or three times. Just before half-time Bostall again got the ball into the net, but the whistle had previously gone for offside. The visitors therefore crossed over with the lead of one goal to nil - a score which about represented the play.

Hampstead had a great set-back early in the second half, Fisher heading through a second goal for Bostall. In this case there was an error of judgment on the part of Goodwin, who came out and completely missed the ball. Notwithstanding this blow, Hampstead adopted a never-say-die spirit, and made many attacks on the visitors' goal. One of the best shots came from Wise, who missed by inches only. Midway through the second portion of the game Hampstead were awarded a penalty for rather a bad foul on Irwin, from which Sweetman scored, and for a time they looked good for an equaliser, Wise and Smith being particularly unfortunate. On several occasions the Bostall goal escaped by the narrowest of margins. Just on the final whistle Heard dashed down the field and his centre was headed through by Riley.

Report by Hendon & Finchley Times

Hampstead Town

1
Ernie Goodwin
2
Sid Bloxham
3
Ron Brazier
4
W E "Taffy" Harris
5
Syd Sweetman
6
Bob Wardlaw
7
Eric Irwin
8
Freddy Young
9
Kenneth Seabrooke
10
Cecil Wise
11
Stanley Smith

Match Events

C Toby
23''
W Fisher
49''
67''
Syd Sweetman
E Riley
89''

Bostall Heath

1
G Balloch
2
L Woodward
3
T Tuersley
4
G Carter
5
A Sewell
6
E Doye
7
F Heard
8
A Sheppard
9
E Riley
10
W Fisher
11
C Toby