Match Report

Hendon
6
Windsor & Eton
3
Date:
Saturday 30 April 1927
Competition:
Athenian League
Attendance:
Unknown
Venue:
Hampstead

Match Report

Recovering in a brilliant way after being two goals down early in the second half, Hampstead closed their Athenian League programme in fine style by defeating Windsor and Eton by six goals to three at Claremont-road on Saturday. Unfortunately this success made no difference to their position in the League table, but their re-election seems to be taken for granted.

Playing against the wind in the first half, Hampstead were for the most part on the defensive, but although the forwards did not have so many chances as the Windsor line, some good opportunities went astray. Parsons had trouble in dealing with his wing. While he did much good work he was at fault in clearing on several occasions and he had the misfortune of putting the ball through his own goal from a nicely-placed centre by Cleghorn, this score coming at the end of twenty minutes play. Parsons also seemed to blame a little later, when Cox got through and put Windsor two up. With the defence shaky, because Bloxham had a troublesome wing to face, the position looked very ominous for Hampstead, but after Trevers had made a wonderfully good save from Norris, Shearcroft scored a beautiful goal from a pass by Smith, and this was followed by other attacks, which, however, bore no fruit. One of Deeks's centres should gave been improved upon, and many other chances were thrown away, two of the most galring faults being debited to Shearcroft and Howell. The centre-forward was in a position that staggered everyone when he failed to find the net.

In the second half Windsor and Eton soon improved the position. Play opened with a stong attack by Hampstead, Smy being conspicuous, but the visitors broke away, and good work on the right led to Morris scoring their third goal. After that came the transformation, and the men from the Royal borough were seldom in the picture, the Hampstead team playing in a manner which has rarely been excelled this season. Smith reduced the visitors lead by heading the ball through from a corner by Deeks, and the crowd got very enthusiastic when Shearcroft, with a hook shot from the goal-line, brought the scores level. It was the kind of goal which comes under the category of "exceptional," and Shearcroft can be proud of his feat.

Hampstead continued on their victorious career, and some splendid combination on the right led to Smy giving them the lead for the first time ; from a scrimmage in front of the Windsor goal the ball was bundled through, Howell giving it the final touch ; and with practically the last kick of the match, Wardlaw, the captain, had the pleasure of bringing the score to six from a corner taken by Deeks.

Up to the end Windsor played pluckily, but in the second half Hampstead's defence was much stronger. Bloxham may not be a class player, but he renders useful service, and one was sorry to find that he was subjected to a little barracking from a number of people in the stand who should know better.

Report by Hendon & Finchley Times

Hampstead

1
Jimmy Trevers
2
Sid Bloxham
3
Albert Parsons
4
A Anderson
5
Harold Pease
6
Bob Wardlaw
7
G P Deeks
8
G H Smith
9
Harry Shearcroft
10
Jimmy Smy
11
George Howell

Match Events

H D Pierce
21''
G A Cox
30''
40''
Harry Shearcroft
? Morris
48''
55''
G H Smith
60''
Harry Shearcroft
70''
Jimmy Smy
80''
George Howell
89''
Bob Wardlaw

Windsor & Eton

1
H D Pierce
2
A A Float
3
C G Float
4
A Shirley
5
J E Entwistle
6
J Stacey
7
N C Blackman
8
G A Cox
9
E J Norris
10
? Morris
11
A H Cleghorn