Match Report

Hendon
1
Tufnell Park
2
Date:
Saturday 11 May 1940
Competition:
Middlesex Senior Cup
Attendance:
Unknown
Venue:
Golders Green

Match Report

In the first half of the Claremont Road match it looked as if Golders Green and Tufnell Park would repeat their previous performance - a fast match with no goals. But the standard of play on both sides was inferior to that of a fortnight previously. It was scrappy, lacking in interest, and many chances were lost. Golders Green had no punch in the front line, and rearguard faults proved fatal.

In the absence of Tomlinson, McCaulay was moved to centre-forward for the Green, but he proved that he is a better centre-half though he did score the one goal. Lovell played at centre-half, and Breagan at right-half, from which position he should have been moved forward in the second half to put a little life into the attack. Fred Boston, who partnered his brother at back, might also have done sone good on the left wing in the closing stages.

Golders Green team were upset five minutes from the kick-off, when Lovell was injured and had to leave the field, McCaulay dropping to centre-half, but Lovell soon returned. in the meantime the Green had made two good attempts - on the left wing and in the centre - but without result. The Park forced a couple of corners, but Golders Green pressed again and lost a scoring chance when McCaulay hung onto the ball instead of passing to Cochrane, who was well-placed for a shot. At the other end Hart held well from Tuthill and Hodge.

Bucci was off the field, injured, for a short time, and the Green defence had to withstand considerable pressure, but they forced the Park back, and Coleman and Cochrane figured in some lively attacks.

From a corner taken by Stroud, Bucci shot high, and from one of Coleman's centres McCaulay went just wide with a shot that looked unstopppable. Bustard sent the Park into action again, and Hart was tested by Wallis and Hodge. He gave a fine display, and earned a lot of commendation by half-time, which came with no score.

Golders Green made an encouraging restart, breaking through right from the kick-off for McCaulay to find the net. The front line, stimulated by this lead, promised well, but the spirit did not last and when Bucci was injured and swapped places with Coleman there was no improvement. Bucci did make one good opening for Fontana, but Lynch slipped in to put him off his shot. Then Cochrane got off a surprise one, but Hill dealt with it safely, and he also held a header from Cochrane who connected well with a forward pass from Breagan.

Breagan was showing good form, and might have changed the aspect of the game if he had been moved to his old place on the right wing. But the attack fell far short of what was required, and following a free-kick for handling by W. Boston, Price put the Park on level terms.

Golders Green made an effort to regain the lead, but it did not last, and after Stroud had forced a corner and Cochrane had headed over the bar, Tufnell Park broke away on the left. Roberts, taking up a perfect pass from the wing, looked a certain scorer, but it was W. Boston who put the ball in for their winning goal in trying to clear.

Report by Hendon Times & Guardian, 17/05/1940, p.2

Golders Green

1
A E Hart
2
Bill Boston
3
Fred Boston
4
A J "Billy" Breagan
5
A Lovell
6
George Bucci
7
Roy Stroud
8
Les Fontana
9
J McCaulay
10
A "Mac" Cochrane
11
George Coleman

Match Events

46''
J McCaulay
A Price
65''
Reg Hill
85''

Tufnell Park

1
Reg Hill
2
F Smith
3
Pat Lynch
4
W Lloyd
5
Harry Robson
6
Len Bustard
7
J Wallis
8
A Price
9
D Roberts
10
J Tuthill
11
F Hodge