Match Report

Hendon
6
Uxbridge Town
1
Date:
Saturday 17 September 1932
Competition:
FA Cup
Attendance:
Unknown
Venue:
Hampstead

Match Report

Scoring six goals to one against Uxbridge Town on Saturday in the F.A. Cup-tie at Claremont Road, Hampstead have further demonstrated that in effecting changes in the forward line they have found men who know how to score. In the four matches already played they have scored 22 goals, and at this rate they promise to set up a record.

In the forward line that beat Uxbridge there was only one of last season's players: that was F.P Evans, at centre-forward. He has already shown that he has not lost the knack of scoring goals, but he must remember that he now has on either side of him men who can be relied upon to shoot, and shoot accurately. He therefore, we hope, will not take it amiss when we suggest that he would be of even greater service if he distributed the ball more. There were times on Saturday when a pass to the wing should have been made instead of an attempt to force his way through the defence.

Unless a falling off in form develops, Hampstead seem to have found in A.F. Butler an outside-left who knows his job and can carry it out. This position has not been adequately filled since S.J. Moore dropped out of the side. Butler has not only a good turn of speed, but knows how to shoot and also when it is wise to give the ball to his partner. With J.G. Spalton at inside-left, many goals should come from this wing. Butler was often penalised for offside, a fault he should try to remedy. There were times when it seemed that decisions were wrong, but they had to be accepted.

The right wing was inclined to be neglected, but A.J. Breagan scored what we deemed to be the best goal of the match. R.G. Rowe again proved his worth by scoring three.

George Bucci returned to the half-back line. He was not altogether happy in the early stages, but showed his old form in the second half, when he sent in many good shots. J.W. Bloxham was perhaps the best of the halves.

One of the features of the match was the play of J.W. Richardson at left-back. It was his best show since he joined Hampstead in the middle of last season. He is an old Uxbridge Town player, and it must have been with mixed feelings that Uxbridge supporters found him thwarting the opposing forwards time after time. Players have a tendency to shine against old pals. F.H. Dean, the captain, seldom made a miss, and played his usual strong game.

A warm welcome was given to S.R. Smith, who was making his initial appearance this season in the first team. His form at the end of last year was erratic, and it was thought wise to give E.G. Cornell, who has served the Reserves so well, a chance to figure in a higher rank, but apparently the committee have not been quite satisfied that the change was for the better. Smith proved that he is not a back number. He kept out some remarkably good shots, and though on occasions he took longer than seemed necessary in getting the ball away, this fault was not so pronounced as it has been. He was less of a showman.

Uxbridge Town have of necessity had to introduce new players, most of whom are on the young side, and though they have started badly - they have yet to win a match - their form on Saturday should give them hope. There was a stage when it seemed likely a replay would be necessary, but Hampstead were lucky in getting a goal which made all the difference to the result. E. Goodwin, who played for Hampstead for several years, was not so safe in goal as was Smith. A. Copley, the captain and veteran of the team, did remarkably well at centre-half, and of the forwards R. Williams (centre) and D. Herberson (outside-left) were outstanding.

The early stages presaged a close game. Hampstead soon got a corner kick, and though this failed Evans was dangerous on two occasions. At the other end Smith was not idle. He had to deal with a fine shot by George, and with a number of players worrying him from a corner kick, he again cleared well.

The opening goal came at the end of ten minutes, Rowe neatly heading into the net from a pass by Butler, who was getting a full share of work. Several corners were forced on the left wing. Hampstead's second goal, at the end of twenty minutes, came from Evans, but it might have been saved had not Uxbridge eased up after appealing for offside.

No more goals were scored before the interval, although the play was not without exciting incidents. Amusement was caused when Williams fell in the goalmouth, Smith neatly eluding him in clearing. Copley worked untiringly, and inspired others. Some of Uxbridge's shots deserved a goal, but Smith was evidently bent on showing that he was worthy of his place. Bloxham was slightly hurt in a collision, but soon recovered.

Just on half-time Evans played a hero's part in carrying to a place of safety a little child who had wandered inside the playing area.

Play in the second half opened sensationally. Within two minutes Williams scored for Uxbridge from a pass by Herberson after beating three men, and just at this stage Uxbridge were showing form that promised an exciting finish. However, the balance in Hampstead's favour was soon redressed, if somewhat luckily. Butler sent from the touchline a shot which seemed to deceive the visiting defence. Goodwin was out of podsition, and Rowe flicked the ball into the net. It was a surprise goal in a very true sense.

After that Hampstead never looked back, although in the hope of improving matters Uxbridge men changed positions. Evans scored Hampstead's fourth goal from a pass by Breagan, whose cleverness certainly entitled him to have more work. Butler was fouled outside the penalty line, but the free kick came to nothing, offside being given. Then an overhead kick by Evans almost beat Goodwin.

The next point of interest was Breagan's goal - a shot almost from the touchline which went high up into the corner of the net. Another surprise goal, but one of the best. Hampstead's sixth and last goal came from Rowe with the last kick of the match. Goodwin had left the goal, and Copley, sensing danger, rushed to take his place. He put his hands up as though to save, but apparently did not touch the ball.

Thus ended an interesting game in which Hampstead could not complain of their luck, although they were clearly the better side. A score of 4-1 in their favour would have given a better representation of the play.

Report by Hendon Times & Guardian, 23/09/1932, p.14

Hampstead

1
Sid Smith
2
Frank Dean
3
Jack Richardson
4
Joe Bloxham
5
Percy Rees
6
George Bucci
7
A J "Billy" Breagan
8
Ronnie Rowe
9
Freddie Evans
10
Jimmy Spalton
11
A Butler

Match Events

11''
Ronnie Rowe
21''
Freddie Evans
R Williams
47''
52''
Ronnie Rowe
63''
Freddie Evans
77''
A J "Billy" Breagan
90''
Ronnie Rowe

Uxbridge Town

1
Ernie Goodwin
2
V Gorman
3
J Hoare
4
L Mortimer
5
A Copley
6
A J Akerman
7
Trevor Jones
8
A E Dean
9
R Williams
10
D George
11
D Herberson