Match Report

Hendon
2
Wealdstone
2
Date:
Saturday 11 April 1942
Competition:
Hertfordshire & Middlesex League
Attendance:
Unknown
Venue:
Golders Green

Match Report

Golders Green, in the first half of their Herts and Middlesex League match v. Wealdstone, at Claremont Road last Saturday, had sufficient gilt-edged chances to have made the game safe, but once again weak finishing by the forwards was responsible for wasting many opportunities and, after twice holding the lead, the home side had to be content with a 2-2 draw.

The game was interesting throughout. The Green employed more open tactics than in recent games, but Munday and Fontana still persisted in holding the ball too long. Alexander, however, settling down at centre-half, played a splendid game, while Bucci, at inside left - definitely his best position - added punch to the attack. Fisher made a strong right back, and Rodwell improved enormously on recent displays.

A word of praise must be reserved for Stidder's splendid display of goalkeeping. In the forward line Stroud was outstanding, but it was unfortunate that Goodchild had not fully recovered from a leg injury received on Easter Monday, and had twice to leave the field for attention.

The Green opened strongly, and within two minutes had scored. Goodchild gained possession and passed to Bucci, who put the ball in for Pulling to shoot home. After 20 minutes, with Wealdstone pressing, Rodwell saved a certain goal by heading out Morris's shot for a corner, but from the flag kick Russell scooped the ball into the net, and the 'Stones were on terms.

Almost at once Golders Green regained the lead. Bucci put a fine forward pass across to Stroud who dashed through, and as Doherty came out to meet him, slid the ball past the goalkeeper into the net. Just before half-time Wealdstone again equalised. Stidder, hard pressed, could not get the ball away, and Russell shot from close in. Rodwell, in a desperate effort to clear, kicked, but could only help the ball into goal.

The second half, closely contested, saw first one side and then the other exerting pressure, but the defences held, and there was no further scoring.

Report by Hampstead and St John's Wood News and Golders Green Gazette, 16/04/1942, p.6

Golders Green

1
A Stidder
2
Bill Fisher
3
Colin Rodwell
4
A J "Billy" Breagan
5
Frank Alexander
6
Tony Munday
7
Roy Stroud
8
Les Fontana
9
Les Pulling
10
George Bucci
11
Cyril Goodchild

Match Events

2''
Les Pulling
D Russell
21''
24''
Roy Stroud
D Russell
44''

Wealdstone

1
M Doherty
2
B Leeming
3
C Barker
4
P Bunyan
5
G Upchurch
6
A Fenney
7
P Wilkinson
8
T Morris
9
L Lewis
10
D Russell
11
L Dolding