AFrom the Hendon & Finchley Times, 13 May 1921 :

Hampstead Town lost their last chance of gaining a cup this season on the Brentford ground last Saturday, Botwell Mission defeating them by 3-1 in the final of the Middlesex Charity Cup.

Botwell Mission were the favourites. They had lost but three matches - against Southall, Slough, and Uxbridge - this season. In the Great Western League they were undefeated, securing 41 points out of 44, with 95 goals to 14, and in the previous week, on the same ground, they had defeated Enfield in the final for the Middlesex Senior Cup, thus securing the trophy for the second time.

While Hampstead had fared none too well in cup-ties, they had, until a fortnight ago, done remarkably well in the Athenian League, and in the middle of last week stood a chance of gaining premier honours. A defeat by St. Albans, however, put them out of the running, and therefore the second team was chosen to meet Metrogas in the final Athenian League match on Saturday, the first team meeting Botwell Mission.

It took Hampstead a few minutes to get into their stride, Botwell forcing the first corner, but then, by good combined work, they seemed to get the measure of their opponents, some nice touches by Wise (just returned from an international match in France, and to whom attention had been drawn in the official programme) earning commendation. On the other wing, Packham, although somewhat lacking in dash, put in several excellent centres, and captain F.L. Burrage made some good attempts to score, although his shooting was not up to standard. The game, however, had not been long in progress when, from a centre by White, Packham sent the ball into the net. Hart had no chance of saving the shot, the ball almost touching the cross-bar. This success greatly encouraged the Hampstead supporters, who came in goodly numbers, although the Mission claimed by far the greater number.

Another raid was made upon the Botwell goal, more than one chance being lost by Hampstead, although the midfield work left little room for criticism. Evans was injured in trying to effect a clearance, and the serious accident to his predecessor, Bruty, was recalled, but happily he was soon able to resume, and his subsequent work showed that he had not lost his nerve. Botwell made desperate efforts to equalise, the team as a whole improving wonderfully, but Hampstead's defence was sound, [C.] Burrage at centre-half showing remarkably good form.

It was a game of thrills, both goalkeepers being severely tested, Evans having perhaps the more difficult shots to deal with. Once he cleared when on his knees. The first half closed with Hampstead leading by 1-0, a score that fairly represented the run of the game, Botwell supporters recognising that in Hampstead they were meeting foemen worthy of the steel.

Play in the second half was greatly in Botwell's favour. There were signs of weakness in Hampstead's defence, which was severely tested. Evans had many shots to save, and when at last - twenty minutes after crossing over - he was beaten by F.C. Knight, the charge of inefficiency could not be laid against him. Encouraged by this success, Botwell played with even greater dash, and in a few minutes R. Knight gave them the lead. Spasmodic attempts to stem disaster were made by Hampstead, but good shots were few and far between, and when, through F.C. Knight, Botwell scored a third goal it was recognised that the game was over bar shouting. There was no further scoring.

The cup was presented immediately at the close of the match by Mr. H. Jason Saunders, chairman of the Brentford Club, who was introduced by Mr. W. W. Heard, hon. secretary of the Middlesex County Association. Mr. Saunders said that they had witnessed a good exhibition of amateur football, and he congratulated Botwell on winning three cups. In presenting the charity trophy to the captain of the winning team he wouuld ask them to give three hearty cheers, while as sportsmen he was sure that they would also like to applaud the losers, who had played a good clean sporting game.

H. Pacey, the captain of Botwell Mission, also congratulated Hampstead Town on playing such a clean game.

We may add that the Charity Cup Competition was first instituted in 1901, the first winners being Clapton Orient. The cup was won by West Hampstead in 1903 and 1906. The competition has been the means of very considerable sums of money being distributed amongst local charities, last year the amount being just over £100.

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From the West Middlesex Gazette, 13 May 1921 :

Botwell Mission broke all records on Saturday when, having already won the Middlesex Senior Cup and the Great Western Suburban League, they captured the Middlesex Charity Cup. The match was at Brentford and their opponents Hampstead Town who in the semi-final had beaten Enfield, the team that Botwell defeated the previous week in the Senior Cup.

A big crowd attended at Griffin Park to witness the game and spectators had full value for money, for play was interesting throughout, with many thrilling moments. Included in the Hampstead Town side were such well-known players as C. Wise (who was playing for England against France a few days previously) and F.L. Burrage. Botwell played the same team as did so well against Enfield.

Hampstead gained little advantage by winning the toss. Botwell at once made play on the left, but Smith got offside. Gore was applauded for a clever bit of work, and from his pass, Long sent wide. Dunstone broke up a dangerous move by the Botwell forwards, but Smith returned and forced a corner. Sceeney got to the ball and sent in a delightful shot which Evans brilliantly saved. The scene changed quickly. From a miskick by Brooks, White was clean through and shot, but it went wide. Then Briscoe sent over and coming again Hampstead caused Hart several anxious moments. The half backs on each side were in great form. Following a promising move by R. Knight, which was spoilt by offside, Hampstead attacked strongly and for quite a time the Botwell defence was hard put to keep them out. Wise got in some clever runs and Briscoe gave Pacey more than a fair share of work. Burrage missed scoring by inches, and Hart very cleverly saved from Wise, whose shot was aimed for the far top corner of the net. Offside brought temporary relief to Botwell, but Hampstead soon returned and following nice play on the left White centred well and Packham opened the score with a nice shot. On the kick off the Town once more pressed and the ball bounced about dangerously in front of goal and Brooks was forced to give away a corner. This was cleared, and Freddie Knight sent Smith away and the winger, showing a clean pair of heels to his opponents, got in a centre which Evans was lucky to stop. He failed to clear, and in a collision with the brothers Knight was injured. He soon resumed and showed that he was little the worse by saving a terrific shot from Ramsey from a free kick just outside the penalty area. Long tried a nice header which Evans saved, and later, after an exciting tussle between Brooks and Smith, the latter got in a tricky shot which scraped the bar in going over. Briscoe and Wise now showed up prominently, but Pacey was ever watchful and stopped a couple of rushes in masterly style. Gore put his forwards in motion, and from a long wing pass R. Knight hit the upright. At the other end Brooks slippped when clearing and a corner resulted, and Ramsey headed clear. Pacey essayed a run on his own and finished by giving Evans a real teaser to negotiate, and from the goalie's save the Botwell captain got in a second shot which Evans stopped. A minute later Wise should have scored, but shot straight at Hart and Burrage having tricked the defence sent wide. Long got through; Evans, however, charged down his pass and more pressure by Hampstead saw Wise hit the wrong side of the net. Half-time came with Hampstead deservedly leading by the only goal scored.

Upon the change of ends Botwell again showed themselves to be a second half team, for from the kick off they commenced to attack and held the upper hand for the greater part of this half. F. Knight got in the first shot which Evans saved, and the goalie brough off a wonderful clearance from a swift grounder by R. Knight. Sceeney was off the field for a few minutes for injuries. Attacking on the right Botwell forced four corners in as many minutes. Pacey and Gore were playing beautiful football, and try as they would Hampstead forwards could not get within striking distance. The second moiety had been in progress twenty minutes when Botwell got the equalising goal. All credit for this must go to Deamer who tricked three opponents and then put the ball on the toe of Freddy Knnight who steered it into the net. The Botwell section of the crowd (who had been somewhat quiet), "came to life," and when just after Smith brought Evans full length on the ground to save, the excitement was great. Hampstead's defence for a while was hopeless, and Long scored a second goal, and it was not a greater while after, that Deamer, profitting from a slip by Dunstone, again centred to F. Knight who added the third point. White and Wise on the Town left caused the Botwell defence some trouble, but Brooks stopped all danger, and again Deamer was in the picture. He sent the ball right across the goal-mouth, but none of his colleagues were there to take advantage of it. R. Knight sent in a shot which hit the bar in going over, and Evans next saved a high dropping shot from Deamer. Woodward, in clearing, almost put through his own goal. The closing stages saw play in midfield, and the closing incident was a corner to Hampstead, which was cleared.