Match Report

Wealdstone
2
Hendon
3
Date:
Tuesday 25 December 1928
Competition:
Athenian League
Attendance:
Unknown
Venue:
Wealdstone

Match Report

During the Christmas holidays Hampstead have gained four Athenian League points at the expense of Wealdstone, and have not known defeat since they lost to Leyton by a somewhat lucky goal on October 13th.

Playing at Wealdstone on Christmas morning, Hampstead, after twice losing the lead, eventually ran out winners by three goals to two. Both teams were compelled to make changes. Hampstead had Bucci for Wardlaw at half-back, Haig for Shearcroft in the centre, and Miller at inside-right vice Bucci, while at the last minute "Billy" Little was chosen at centre-half, as the injury sustained by Moody at Maidenhead prevented him from turning out.

Play opened very briskly. On one or two occasions the Hampstead defence was in a tangle, chiefly owing to the slippery state of the ground. Wealdstone were the first to score, a nice pass by Hannam to Whiting allowing the latter to send in a beautiful drive which completely beat Smith. From the kick-off Hampstead attacked strongly, but a fine clearance by Clark cleared what seemed to be a certain goal. From a long pass by Smy to Sherman, who stood unmarked, the latter, after a fine run down the line, during which he beat two men, scored a fine equalisisng goal, the ball just going in under the cross-bar. In a few minutes Wealdstone were ahead again through Hannam, Smith being unable to recover himself in the mud, in fact, he stood and watched it roll gently in, much to the amusement of the crowd. A fine cross shot by Smy soon equalised the scores again, and half-time arrived with the score 2-2.

From the start of the second half it looked that Hampstead might pile up a big score, Wealdstone being completely outplayed, but with a fine display of goal-keeping by Dunn the score was kept down to one goal, scored by Smy after about twenty minutes' play.

The pick of Hampstead were Young, Smy, Webb and Smith, while for Wealdstone the best were Dunn, in Goal, Clark, at back, H. Smith, centre-half, and Whiting, who is quite a youngster, on the left wing.
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From the Uxbridge & West Drayton Gazette, 28/12/1928, p.14 :

In home and away Athenian League games on Christmas Day and Boxing Day, Wealdstone conceded points to Hampstead, the Athenian League leaders. In each game a draw would have been a much fairer result. In the first game over 2,000 people witnessed a splendidly contested encounter at Lower Mead. Neither side was at full strength; Wealdstone were without Grafton, Davies and Maskell, their places being taken by R. Dunn, E. Stocks and E. Wilson, whilst Whiting, a reserve outside-left, was experimented with.

Wealdstone had the better of the first half, and held their own for the greater part of the second period, despite an injury to Smith. Grafton's deputy played brilliantly to give as good a display of goalkeeping as has ever been seen on this ground, while Smith, the visiting keeper, also saved his side - in the first half especially. Wealdstone opened the scoring after ten minutes, Whiting dashing in to score a good goal from a pass by Hannam. Sherman concluded a clever individual effort by equalising shortly afterwards. Short started the movement which resulted in Wealdstone retaking the lead: he deceived the opposition in placing the ball to Champion, from whose pass Hannam netted. The Hampstead defence was sorely tested after this, and Wealdstone should have consolidated their position, Smith saving well from Champion, Groves, Whiting and Hannam. Smy obtained Hampstead's equaliser while Smith was off the field injured. Wealdstone had a bad time early in the second half, and Dunn effected some magnificent saves in this period. He was at length beaten by a splendid cross-shot from Smy. Wealdstone played a much closer game than Hampstead, and consequently their forwards were not so dangerous in this half. The losers were further handicapped by Smith being groggy with leg trouble, and Groves unwell.

Report by Hendon & Finchley Times, 28/12/1928, p.9

Hampstead

1
Sid Smith
2
Freddy Webb
3
Albert Owens
4
Freddy Young
5
Bill Little
6
George Bucci
7
Freddie Sherman
8
Ted Miller
9
E Haig
10
Jimmy Smy
11
Stan Moore

Match Events

? Whiting
15''
25''
Freddie Sherman
A Hannam
30''
38''
Jimmy Smy
66''
Jimmy Smy

Wealdstone

1
R Dunn
2
R L Clark
3
E Stocks
4
F Turner
5
H Smith
6
D Short
7
E Wilson
8
A Hannam
9
R Groves
10
? Champion
11
? Whiting