Match Report

Cheshunt
1
Hendon
2
Date:
Saturday 11 April 1931
Competition:
Athenian League
Attendance:
250
Venue:
Cheshunt

Match Report

Cheshunt lost their Athenian League game with Hampstead by two goals to one, but in view of the plight in which they were placed they must be congratulated on putting up such a keen fight. At the bottom of the League, with only one win to their credit, Cheshunt, it is stated, will not seek re-election, and the match on Saturday had its sad side. There were not more than 250 people on the Cheshunt ground, an enclosure of which many clubs would be proud, and the officials were bemoaning the defection of players once they had run into form.

The start of Saturday's match was delayed owing to Cheshunt's difficulty in raising a team, and for some minutes they played one short. It was also stated that Sharp, who played in goal, was new to that position, and certainly his work at the opening of the game did not suggest that he would be able to cope with Hampstead's front line. Within five minutes Bramley got Hampstead's first goal, and a little later Evans obtained the second with his head, the goalkeeper helping it into the net.

But this was the end of the scoring so far as Hampstead were concerned, and despite his unsteady start Sharp shaped very well. Crofts and Joy also defended splendidly.

The play for the most part was very uninteresting. Cheshunt had some robust players whose methods were at times open to criticism, and both Bramley, who came into Hampstead's side at outside-right, and Evans were off the field at the same time through injuries. But though handicapped in this way, Hampstead quite held their own, and at the interval the score was 2-0 in their favour.

When the game was resumed after the interval, both teams had full sides, but the play degenerated considerably, and was far from being of Athenian League standard. With the slope in their favour, Cheshunt got the upper hand, and their chances of pulling the match out of the fire were enhanced when Moore was compelled to retire. The forward line was then reshuffled, but though Morton and Evans were very aggressive, cohesion was lacking. At length Cheshunt scored through McCall, an old Hampstead player. But desperate as were their efforts, they failed to get the equaliser, thanks to the magnificent work of Smith, who was very reliable. He was not quite so well supported as usual by his backs, Dean being somewhat uncertain. Bramley's introduction at outside-right was a success. He should prove a useful man.

Report by Hendon Times & Guardian, 17/04/1931, p.12

Hampstead

1
Sid Smith
2
Frank Dean
3
Leslie Compton
4
Freddy Young
5
George Bucci
6
Bill Butland
7
Bill Bramley
8
Harry Walsh
9
Freddie Evans
10
Bill Morton
11
Stan Moore

Match Events

5''
Bill Bramley
12''
Freddie Evans
A McCall
70''

Cheshunt

1
? Sharp
2
? Crofts
3
? Joy
4
? Robinson
5
? Fox
6
? Taylor
7
? Bowers
8
? Peck
9
? Gowers
10
A McCall
11
? Stredwick