Match Report

Wealdstone
1
Hendon
0
Date:
Friday 25 December 1936
Competition:
Athenian League
Attendance:
Unknown
Venue:
Wealdstone

Match Report

There was a record holiday crowd at Lower Mead, Wealdstone, on Christmas Day, to see the home side win by the solitary goal scored midway through the second half.

It was obtained by Bunce, who, sustaining a leg injury early, assumed the right wing position, where he played a plucky game. In a match which was marked by poor football, the players being handicapped by the heavy state of the ground, Wealdstone just deserved the points, their attacks, despite the injury to Bunce, being more frequent and spirited than those of Golders Green. Both sides would have done better had they adopted more open tactics.

With Bunce off the field early in the match, Golders Green had the better of the opening exchanges, but hesitancy in front of goal caused their forwards to miss several chances of scoring. It was not long, however, before Wealdstone took up the running and Wilson was in the picture with a good attempt following clever combination between the half-backs and forwards.

Forward line re-organisation followed Bunce's mishap, Brown going on the left wing, Bunce on the right with Potts centre-forward. Though attacks on the Golders Green goal were infrequent, Wealdstone held their own, but there was little in the exchanges over which the crowd could wax enthusiastic until the goal was scored in the following manner: Reeves secured possession of the ball and with a nice pass to Bidewell set the line moving. Bunce received from Bidewell and scored with a perfect low drive.

Wealdstone's defence was sound. Walker, in goal, had to deal with a number of likely shots, though he was never seriously troubled. He picked up the ball cleanly and his work inspired confidence. Loveday and Ellis were both solid and gave nothing away, the Golders Green attack being well mastered.

Showler, who played an effective game, was seldom conspicuous, but he was Soden's shadow, the Golders Green's star forward being rarely neglected for long. Reeves seemed more troubled by the heavy conditions than the rest of the team; a dry pitch will probably reveal his capabilities more convincingly than in this match. Scott employed the square passing game with effect and he was not slow in pushing the ball through to the forwards. He was one of the few players who made a really determined effort to open up the game.

Bidewell was Wealdstone's best forward. There was audacity about his play and he frequently caught the opposing defence napping. It was only through lack of understanding in the forward line that his efforts did not yield more goals. Bunce, despite his injury, can claim a successful match if only on account of the goal he scored. Wilson, too, was a trier and much of his good work went unrewarded. Potts and Brown were handicapped by the heavy ball and the centres from the wing which might have provided chances to score were few and far between.

Report by Hendon Times, 01/01/1937, p.15

Golders Green

1
F Painter
2
Bill Boston
3
Reg Hayward
4
Joe Bloxham
5
Bert Broadis
6
George Bucci
7
A J "Billy" Breagan
8
Johnny Browne
9
E W Soden
10
W T Lawson
11
Fred Boston

Match Events

Wealdstone

1
E Walker
2
A Loveday
3
Bob Ellis
4
A G Reeves
5
W F Showler
6
D Scott
7
C Brown
8
S Bidewell
9
C Bunce
10
J Wilson
11
K Potts