Match Report

Hendon
6
Redhill
1
Date:
Saturday 28 February 1931
Competition:
Athenian League
Attendance:
Unknown
Venue:
Hampstead

Match Report

Hampstead soon got their revenge for a beating on the Redhill ground by scoring six goals to one against the Surrey club in the return Athenian League game on Saturday at Claremont Road. The victory was well deserved, and the score did not unduly flatter the Hampstead team, who were much the superior side, particularly in the forward line.

Redhill made one change and Hampstead three in the teams that took the field the previous week. R.A. Baird displaced R.G. Spooner at centre-half in the visiting side, and Hampstead fielded A.H. Elwell at left-back, A.G. Potter at inside-left, and W. Morton at outside-right in place of L. Compton, J. Edwards and L. Berry. It may be said at once that the forward line was considerably strengthened by the changes. Morton, who had stood down the previous week, through an attack of influenza, positively scintillated at times, and equally effective was Potter, who not only scored (a trait he has not highly developed), but worked in complete harmony with Moore on the left. Moore's work has often suffered through constant change of partners. Not so in this match: he was literally "spoonfed" by his partner, and also by W.H. Butland at left-half.

Regarding the third change - we are writing before the constitution of the team for next Saturday's match has come to hand - we shall be much surprised if the selection committee have not been convinced that despite shortcomings, the best man for the left-back position is Leslie Compton, who did his share in maintaining Hampstead's unbeaten record for close upon two months. Elwell was not impressive in this match, and had not Dean, at right-back, been on top form, Redhill would not have gone back heavily beaten. Dean is not only a strong kicker, but his tackling improves week by week. In Cornish and Bigg he had a wonderfully good wing to face, but he was not often beaten.

Hampstead's half-back line is immeasurably stronger since Bucci returned to his rightful position as pivot. On Saturday, as in previous games, he was well supported by Young and Butland. Enthusiasm is a strong quality, but Butland's policy of taking a roving commission has its dangerous side, and he would do well to refrain from attempting to do the work of two or three others.

Considering the conditions under which the game was played - a mixture of rain, snow and sleet, coupled with a terribly heavy ground, reminding one of the Crcicklewood Lane mud-field - the play was fast, but it was apparent long before the end that the men were tired out, and all must have welcomed the final whistle.

Hampstead opened strongly, chiefly on the right wing, where Morton quickly showed that he had made a good recovery. He has fine turn of speed, but does not rely on that entirely. His marksmanship is good. Bucci and Walsh also came near scoring, and it was some time before Redhill came within measurable distance of the home goal. At their first dangerous venture Butland cleared smartly.

The first goal came after twenty minutes, Evans showing that he was not to be deprived of goals two weeks in succession. He fastened on to the ball after he had struck the crossbar with a terrific shot, Peart being well beaten.

Soon after Potter scored from Walsh's pass (he was so well placed that had he failed he would have been sadly at fault), and after Peart had been troubled with a shot by Walsh, a scrimmage in the goalmouth led to Evans registering the third goal.

Occasionally the visitors would make headway, chiefly through Cornish, but Smith was never really extended, thanks largely to Dean's sense of anticipation. Before half-time Morton found the net, Moore having a share in this success.

Leading - and deservedly so - by 4-0 at the interval, Hampstead seemed sure of the points, but after starting rather quietly they proceeded to consolidate their position, Moore doing particularly well in this half. He seemed really happy. Evans had to leave the field for a short time, but though playing one short Hampstead held their own. Redhill had chances to score, but there was a pronounced weakness in their finishing touches.

Walsh, with one of those individual turns which please so much, scored Hampstead's fifth goal, which was followed by one from Cornish for Redhill. It was a really good shot, the ball apparently glancing off Dean into the net.

Evans afterwards returned, and from a pass by Morton, Moore completed the scoring.

The fact that each of the forwards scored showed that it was not a one-man show. All supporters have been glad to see Evans do so well, but it is pleasing to find the club are not entirely dependent upon him for goals.

Report by Hendon Times & Guardian, 06/03/1931, p.14

Hampstead

1
Sid Smith
2
Frank Dean
3
Archie Elwell
4
Freddy Young
5
George Bucci
6
Bill Butland
7
Bill Morton
8
Harry Walsh
9
Freddie Evans
10
A G Potter
11
Stan Moore

Match Events

21''
Freddie Evans
28''
A G Potter
35''
Freddie Evans
42''
Bill Morton
60''
Harry Walsh
G Cornish
65''
75''
Stan Moore

Redhill

1
L Peart
2
C Smith
3
A Edwards
4
G Coker
5
R A Baird
6
T J Roche
7
C G Austin
8
W Pleant
9
G A Bond
10
R J Bigg
11
G Cornish