Match Report

Hendon
0
Walthamstow Avenue
5
Date:
Saturday 23 November 1935
Competition:
Athenian League
Attendance:
Unknown
Venue:
Golders Green

Match Report

Facing the same eleven players who had beaten them by 11 goals to 2 a fortnight previously, Golders Green, at Claremont Road on Saturday, were again defeated by Walthamstow Avenue, this time by five goals to none.

It must be said that from beginning to end they were hopelessly outclassed, although at the interval they were only one goal behind. That the Avenue were the best side seen at Claremont Road for a long time was admitted, but we have known days when Golders Green would have put up a better fight even against stronger teams. But for a magnificent display by Kimber, the Avenue's tally of goals would have been as large as in the previous game.

Golders Green brought into their side T. Goslin, an Army representative half-back, who did fairly well considering it was his first game for the club. He displaced Bucci, who, once again, played at left-back, but versatile as he is, there is no denying the fact that he was hopelessly out of the hunt from the start. Against such a class player as Collins, one of the cleverest players in the League, it was almost suicidal to ask Bucci to play there.

However that was not the only weak spot. Indeed there seemed more weak spots than strong ones. Except on a few occasions, we saw no cohesion among the forwards. Men got out of position, and passes went to the wrong man. We saw some pretty work, but it was futile. An object-lesson was given by the Avenue, who went in for strong kicking, very necessary on a heavy ground, and long passing. The wingers were afforded more opportunities than fell to Golders Green wingers. F. Boston, who is very capably filling the place vacated by Drinkwater, now with Aston Villa, had reason to complain of the support given to him.

It is difficult to be enthusiastic concerning the team, but we would not withhold credit from Kimber, the Bostons, Broadis and Browne, the last-named showing his usual cleverness without being too selfish. He also proved to be one of the strongest shots.

The gate was the largest of the season, and it was therefore unfortunate that Golders Green failed badly. Good football was seen, but it was mostly on the part of the Avenue.

Playing against the wind in the first half, Golders Green soon forced a corner, but the defence was soon engaged in staving off attempts by the Avenue, W. Boston coming prominently into action. Seven minutes from the start Walthamstow scored through Magner, from a pass by Davis. It was a well-worked-for goal, and Kimber had no chance with the shot.

From this time, early as it was, the result was never in doubt. Bucci seemed dreadfully harassed, and though he never lost heart, he had a rough passage in dealing with Collins and Lewis, who were always accepting opportunities to shoot. At the other end there was much hesitancy, Boston being the only forward who lost no time in driving the ball goalwards. To one shot dealt with by Barlow, the Avenue goalkeeper, Kimber had half-a-dozen, but he inspired confidence. One narrow escape was when Kimber was beaten and Bucci cleared on the goal-line.

One of the best pieces of work on the part of Golders Green came just on the interval. All of the forwards took part in a movement which promised a goal, but the defence prevailed and a little later Walker headed over following a free kick.

The interval score of 1-0 hardly did justice to Walthamstow, who, however, soon increased their score. For a few minutes, with the wind at their backs, it seemed as if we might see better work from Golders Green, but they flattered only to deceive. In a hot attack Avenue got their second point. It looked as if Goslin had kicked into his own goal, but inquiries elicited that Magner had put the ball over the line before Goslin touched it.

This goal was followed by a good shot from the foot of Browne, but it went just wide. Then we saw a fine effort by Goslin, but the shooting of Golders Green as a whole compared unfavourably with that of the other side, the wingers doing particularly well. Though pressed by two men, Collins got in a shot which Davis headed into Kimber's hands. Lewis and Davis were troubling Kimber a good deal at this time. Davis was always on the watch for a pass from Collins, who was often left to do as he pleased. He put across many fine centres, and from one of these Davis headed the third goal.

By drawing a veil over what happened later we shall be acting kindly towards Golders Green. Except for one shot by Bloxham, which Barlow just managed to reach, giving a corner, the Avenue had all the play, and scored two more goals, both by Magner.

Walthamstow's victory by five goals to none was thoroughly deserved. We say no more except that their exhibition showed the high standard of Athenian League football, and Golders Green will, we are sure, wish them luck in their F.A. Cup-tie with Bournemouth tomorrow.

Report by Hendon Times, 29/11/1935, p.14

Golders Green

1
Gerry Kimber
2
Bill Boston
3
George Bucci
4
Joe Bloxham
5
Bert Broadis
6
T Goslin
7
A J "Billy" Breagan
8
Johnny Browne
9
Dave Walker
10
Mike Fallon
11
Fred Boston

Match Events

W J Magner
7''
W J Magner
54''
F A Davis
68''
W J Magner
75''
W J Magner
81''

Walthamstow Avenue

1
Stan Barlow
2
Alec Buchanan
3
E Childs
4
Reg Wright
5
H A Oliver
6
C F Mercer
7
E C Collins
8
J W Lewis
9
W J Magner
10
V J L Vincent
11
F A Davis