Match Report

Harrow Weald
2
Hendon
5
Date:
Saturday 03 November 1923
Competition:
FA Amateur Cup
Attendance:
1000
Venue:
Harrow Weald

Match Report

Fom the Hendon & Finchley Times, 9 November 1923 :

In visiting Harrow Weald and defeating them in the replayed Amateur Cup-tie by five goals to two Hampstead [Town] merely realised expectations and achieved the result they deserved in the first encounter. There was a record attendance for the ground this season, the crowd numbering close on a thousand.

E. Ryder scored for Harrow Weald in the early stages, the ball being headed into the net from a well-placed corner, and the local supporters were in high glee. Hampstead, however, were not unduly alarmed, and giving a better exhibition than has been shown on most occasions this year, they soon took command of the game. With a magnificent shot, which completely baffled Bates, the home goalkeeper, Kirby (who was again well watched) made the scores equal, the well-conceived movement that led to the goal being started by Wise. Little got the second goal, and Seabrooke the third and fourth, the interval score being 4-1. In this half Hampstead enjoyed the advantage of sloping ground and a strong wind, and Harrow Weald only at rare intervals caused McCracken any anxiety. The home club's place kicking from goal was very poor, and it was due to weakness in this direction that Hampstead got their fourth goal.

In the second half Hampstead's defence did well against the bustling methods of the homesters. From another corner C. Newman got a second goal for Harrow Weald, and at this stage there was just the possibility of another drawn game. Science, however, prevailed, and with another goal, which came through the ball being deflected off an opposing back in trying to stop a shot by Seabrooke, victory was assured for Hampstead.

Cecil Wise and W. Field both resumed their accustomed positions in this game and proved their value to the team, Howell making many fine runs and centres from passes by Wise, and this feature had an important bearing on the result. The forward line generally worked well, with R. Kirby at centre, and K. Seabrooke and S. Briscoe forming the right wing. Although H.G.M. Barnes, at centre-half, gave an improved display, the return of Lewis Smith to the team to-morrow (after a month's absence) will be welcomed.

This success gives Hampstead the right to entertain Polytechnic F.C. in the next round on the Child's Hill ground, on November 17th.
_________________________________________________________________________________
From the Middlesex Advertiser & County Times, 9 November 1923 (including teams) :

About 1,000 spectators witnessed this replay at the Alma-road ground on Saturday when Hampstead Town secured a convincing victory by 5-2. With the advantage of wind and slope in the first half they were markedly the superior side, Harrow Weald being on the defensive for long spells, and at half-time Hampstead lead 4-1. The second half was even, with the homesters pressing strongly on occasions; the Town defence prevailed, however, and both teams scored once.

Harrow Weald opened promisingly against the wind and slope, Newman being conspicuous in the early stages with some well-judged passes which set Ward moving on several occasions. Newman himself got through the defence and was making dangerous tracks for goal when Field intervened and conceded a corner in his attempt to clear. This was excellently placed by Ward and E. Ryder headed into the net after five minutes' play. Butlin and Shepperd were prominent for stopping many movements which threatened their goal. The combination and understanding of the visiting forwards, however, had its effect, and the home goal was subjected to many attacks despite the sound defence put up by the backs and halves. Twenty minutes elapsed before Hampstead got on terms and Kirby then found the net with an excellent cross shot. Following several corners Little gave the visitors the lead, lifting the ball over the heads of several players into the net. Wise's passes to Howell were the means of that player frequently causing anxiety to the home defence. Hampstead's third goal fell to Seabrooke who headed in from a corner. Five minutes before half-time a weak kick by Bates gave Kirby an opportunity of passing to Seabrooke for him to place his side three goals ahead.

Up to this point Harrow Weald had been mainly concerned with defence, but after the change of ends they came into the picture more and had their share of the exchanges. Butlin was conspicuous for his shadowing Kirby, checkmating the centre-forward repeatedly. Both the home wingers got across good centres, but what shots reached McCracken were not of a kind to cause him much anxiety. The Weald's second goal was somewhat of a supriser for from Theobald's flag kick Newman somehow lifted the ball into the net with McCracken out of position. J. Ryder netted from a free kick- McCracken being penalised for carrying the ball - but the point was disallowed. Harrow Weald undoubtedly played with more spirit in this half and were more convincing especially on the right wing. Just before time Seabrooke got in a shot with Bates out of position; Larcombe from on the goal-line attempted to kick clear but sliced the ball into the net instead.

Hampstead Town

1
E T McCracken
2
W T Field
3
W G Harry
4
Bill Little
5
Bert Barnes
6
Bob Wardlaw
7
Stan Briscoe
8
Kenneth Seabrooke
9
Reg Kirby
10
Cecil Wise
11
George Howell

Match Events

E E Ryder
6''
21''
Reg Kirby
30''
Bill Little
35''
Kenneth Seabrooke
40''
Kenneth Seabrooke
C Newman
65''
87''
Kenneth Seabrooke

Harrow Weald

1
R Bates
2
J L Butlin
3
E A Shepperd
4
E Sainsbury
5
C Frost
6
C J Larcombe
7
D Ward
8
C Newman
9
E E Ryder
10
J Ryder
11
F Theobald