Match Report

Hendon
2
Botwell Mission
1
Date:
Saturday 26 January 1924
Competition:
Middlesex Senior Cup
Attendance:
Unknown
Venue:
Hampstead Town

Match Report

From the Hendon & Finchley Times, 1 February 1924 :

In the Middlesex Senior Cup-tie between Hampstead Town and Botwell Mission on the Child's Hill ground on Saturday three records were involved, and in each case Hampstead scored honours, their victory by two goals to one being well deserved. It was the first defeat of the Mission by any amateur club this season; Hampstead retained their unbeaten home record this year, and the match attracted the biggest gate of the season. At no stage in the game, which was played under very trying ground conditions, were the visitors superior to Hampstead and for long periods the home side predominated.

The first goal came somewhat as a surprise, Wise scoring with a beautiful long drive from an awkward angle, the flight of the ball completely deceiving the opposing goalkeeper, who was always hard to beat. The equaliser was a little unfortunate for the Town, for after McCracken had made a splendid save, dashing out and punching away amidst a crowd of players in the goalmouth, the ball was secured close in and kicked into an empty goal by Long, no blame attaching to McCracken for this mishap. What proved to be the winning goal was scored splendidly by Young from a good centre by Howell, and just on the interval whistle McCracken, who played well throughout, made a really magnificent save.

A strenuous second half produced no further goals, but Hampstead were disappointed when Lewis Smith failed to convert a penalty kick, shooting straight at the goalkeeper. The reintroduction of Young at inside-right proved popular, and had an important bearing on the result, for in addition to scoring he worked hard all through.

Tomorrow (Saturday) Hampstead continue their Athenian League programme, receiving a visit from Bromley. This important game will commence at 3 o'clock.
_________________________________________________________________________________
From the West Middlesex Gazette, 2 February 1924 (including teams) :

It was a very weary Botwell Mission that dragged itself off the Hampstead [Town] pitch on Saturday, beaten for the first time this season by an amateur team. The pitch, in a bad state at the commencement of the match, churned up into a state that beggars description. In fact, on many occasions during the match both sets of forwards got the ball to within three or four yards of the goal line, but could not lift their feet from the mud to put it into the net, leaving the defences time to scramble the ball out of the danger zone! The Mission had the greater share of the game in the first half, but Hampstead Town, adapting themselves to the conditions far better than Botwell after the interval, monopolised the play and were continually in the visitors' half of the field. Botwell were dangerous at the outset and nearly scored though Long, and at the other end Young put over when well placed close in. Botwell persevered and Findlater centred, but no forward was up to take advantage of it. After ten minutes Wise and Howell on Hampstead's left wing got well down and Wise tried a long shot from about 30 yards. Walter made a vain attempt to rise from the mud, but without success, and the ball passed just under the crossbar. Botwell then set up a sustained attack and Long and Atlee caused McCracken to handle, and Fox centred right across the goal for Long to score the equaliser after twenty minutes. The Mission continued to press without result, and Wise and Howell, who both played well, eluded Sceeney and Purvey, and Howell centred for Young to score well out of Walter's reach. Knight dribbled well out on the wing and from his centre Long headed into McCracken's hands, knocking himself out in the process.
A great change came over the game in the second half, Hampstead pressing continuously, mainly through the fine work of Wise and Howell, and it was only through the sheer doggedness of the Botwell defence that they did not increase their score. Walter put up a fine show in this half, and was only at fault on one occasion, when missing the ball, he left Smith with an open goal. Smith, owing to the mud, was unable to kick the ball over the line and Walker nipped in to save an almost certain goal.

Mr. Siddle hereabouts gave a penalty against Sceeney for a foul on Howell, but it looked from the stand that Sceeney was more sinned against than sinning. Walter, however, saved the penalty kick, which was sent straight at him, and the ball was cleared down the field where Harry hooked it out of a scrimmage with his hands in the area, but the referee was evidently unsighted as he ignored a confident appeal by the Botwell players. Hampstead continued their attack and Botwell only had one likely chance three minutes from the close, when Fox left everybody behind him only to put wide at the end of his run.

Despite the handicap of the ground, Botwell were not in their usual form, whereas the Hampstead enthusiasts were delighted with their favourite's best form of the season. Hampstead have yet to be defeated at home this season.

Of the Mission it would be difficult to find an outstanding player. The forwards received very few helpful passes - the halves and backs being unable to lift a heavy ball any distance out of the mud. Knight made herculean efforts to get through, but the finer points of the game were impossible and a well-meant pass stuck halfway.

Hampstead players found the conditions more to their liking, and although they did not score in the second half they fully deserved to do so.

Hampstead Town

1
E T McCracken
2
W T Field
3
W G Harry
4
Bill Little
5
Lewis Smith
6
Bob Wardlaw
7
Travers Day
8
Freddy Young
9
Kenneth Seabrooke
10
Cecil Wise
11
George Howell

Match Events

10''
Cecil Wise
F J Long
20''
35''
Freddy Young

Botwell Mission

1
W Walter
2
J Purvey
3
J Weedon
4
A Sceeney
5
H Pacey
6
R Walker
7
J Fox
8
F J Long
9
F C Knight
10
H Atlee
11
A Findlater