Match Report

Hendon
5
Enfield
2
Date:
Saturday 16 February 1924
Competition:
Middlesex Senior Cup
Attendance:
Unknown
Venue:
Hampstead Town

Match Report

On a treacherous ground, players finding it difficult to keep their feet, Hampstead Town defeated Enfield on Saturday at Cricklewood-lane by five goals to two, and thus earned the right to meet Southall in the semi-final of the Middlesex Senior Cup. The tie will be played on neutral ground, the date reserved being March 29th. The other semi-finalists are Bush Hill Park and Wealdstone.

Hampstead Town fully merited their victory, although at one period, when there was obvious over-confidence, it seemed that Enfield might snatch the game out of the fire. The visitors, it must be added, were handicapped by the absence of their outside-right, C. Bowers, injured after half-an-hour's play, but we do not think that this had any material bearing on the result. For the fourth week in succession Hampstead had to face a goalkeeper of above average merit in Groves, who, after the first few minutes, played with abundant confidence. Not often can a goalkeeper look back with satisfaction upon a match in which he is beaten five times, but Groves has nothing to regret.

Hampstead were soon on good terms with themselves, the first run down resulting in a goal, Young accepting a well-judged pass by Wise and defeating Groves. This was the only goal before the interval, although the run of the play was largely in favour of Hampstead. McCracken had little to do compared with his opposite number, but there were occasions when the Enfield forwards were very dangerous. Crowl is always looked upon as a dangerous man, but Field held him pretty well in check, the most dangerous shots coming from Rawlings and Green. There was a liveliness in the Hampstead attack which always boded ill for Enfield, Cecil Wise being again an outstanding player, his well-judged passes and general footwork earning admiration from all. Apart from showing great discrimination in distributing the ball, he never lost an opportunity, when better placed than his colleagues, of shooting, and Groves will no doubt bear testimony to the fact that he has seldom had the ball driven home with such power. Once Seabrooke headed through from Howell's pass, but was given offside.

If goals were scarce in the first half, they came in profusion immediately upon restarting, four being scored in almost as many minutes. Bowers came on the field again, but finding he was unable to usefully serve his side retired for good. From a well placed corner by Howell, Seabrooke scored Hampstead's second goal, and this was immediately followed by one from Lewis Smith at long range. Invariably good in field work, his shooting often lacks judgment, but this was a beautiful goal. Groves just tipped the ball, but could not stop its flight. Hampstead then had a bad time, first Lea at centre-half and then Rawlings at inside-left scoring, and excitement ran high. Hampstead, however, settled down again, and Young scored twice, both from Howell's centres. During the last ten minutes Enfield, though one short, were often dangerous and had the shooting been at all accurate they might have scored, because the slippery condition of the ground proved a great handicap to the defence.

Report by Hendon & Finchley Times

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

5''
Freddy Young
47''
Kenneth Seabrooke
48''
Lewis Smith
? Lea
50''
? Rawlings
51''
60''
Freddy Young
70''
Freddy Young

Enfield

1
E Groves
5
? Lea
7
C Bowers
9
C I Green
10
? Rawlings
11
S R Crowl