Match Report

Hendon
2
Harrow Weald
2
Date:
Saturday 27 October 1923
Competition:
FA Amateur Cup
Attendance:
Unknown
Venue:
Hampstead Town

Match Report

From the Hendon & Finchley Times, 2 November 1923 :

The unsatisfactory condition of the Child's Hill ground after the recent heavy rains militated against good football, and although showing marked superiority in the science of the game Hampstead [Town] could only effect a 2-2 draw in their Amateur Cup-tie with Harrow Weald. The match will be replayed tomorrow (Saturday) at Harrow Weald.

The heavy going suited the bustling methods of the visitors, who soon after the start and from a breakaway directly attributable to the state of the ground opened the score, through Ryder at centre-forward. Many fine attempts by Hampstead to get on terms went astray in annoying fashion, and it was just on the interval when K. Seabrooke equalised with a fine header from W. Little's free kick.

Although the visiting goalkeeper was kept busily employed no further score resulted at the end of ninety minutes' play. In the first half of the extra time F.G. Young scored, and Hampstead then looked likely winners, but in the concluding stages Harrow Weald's inside-right, C. Newman, from another lucky breakaway, equalised.

For this encounter Hampstead were without the services of Lewis Smith and Cecil Wise, their captain, and their unavoidable absence made a good deal of difference to the effectiveness of the team. S. Briscoe reproduced a good deal of his old form on the right wing and is now likely to play there regularly.
_________________________________________________________________________________
From the Middlesex Advertiser & County Gazette, 3 November 1923 (including teams) :

At Cricklewood on Saturday Harrow Weald accomplished a really fine performance by dividing four goals with Hampstead Town and forcing a replay.

A corner to Haampstead gave Barnes the first opportunity of testing Bates, who cleared well. This was followed by a corner to the Weald, Brooker booting away. Good combination by the Weald's right wing transferred play, Newman pushing the ball through to Ryder who outpaced the backs and easily beat McCracken with a fast grounder. The homesters then went away at top speed, Shepperd stopping Kirby in the nick of time. The Weald now attacked and twice promising movements were spoilt by offside. Bates cleared three shots in quick succession and a Weald attack culminated in a long drive from Frost. Butlin cleverly checked Howell and after Bates had cleared from Seabrooke, Sainsbury sent Ward away. Drawing the defence he passed to Ryder but the centre slipped at the critical moment and an excellent chance of adding to the score was lost. Hands against Tann resulted in a free kick being well placed by Little and from it Seabrooke deftly headed an equaliser well clear of Bates. The teams thus crossed over on even terms.

In the second half Little gave Seabrooke an opening, Bates saving at the expense of a corner. This was finely placed, and Bates was applauded for tipping Seabrooke's header over the bar for a fruitless corner. Following a tackle Larcombe retired for a few minutes for repairs and Seabrooke was making goalwards when Shepperd cleared smartly. Offside against Ward temporarily relieved the home defence but Newman's persistancy gained the Weald a corner. Ward placed the corner accurately and Ryder had hard luck with a header that just skimmed the bar with McCracken out of position. Shepperd grazed his arm badly which necessitated application of a bandage and he returned in time to check Briscoe. Harrow Weald appeared to slacken their efforts at this time, which resulted in pressure by the homesters. Butlin and Shepperd however were in tremendous trim and kept the forwards clear of Bates. Both teams now went all out for a winning goal, and from a pass by Ryder, Newman shot through, but was ruled offside as the ball entered the net. Again the Weald attacked and Ward centred splendidly. The ball slithered to Ryder who quickly transfeered to the net, but the goal was disallowed owing to handling. A quick raid by Seabrooke ended in a fine cross shot which Bates turned round the post in masterly fashion. An hour and a half strenuous and attractive football was ended, still without a decision having been reached.

The first half of the extra half hour saw both goalkeepers in action and Bates was beaten by an unstoppable drive from Young. The last fifteen minutes were full of thrills. The equaliser fell to Newman, who received from Tann, eluded the attention of Harry and worked through to score after a magnificent effort. In the closing stages of a thrilling encounter the Weald were seen in aggressive mood.

Hampstead Town

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

Match Events

E E Ryder
10''
44''
Kenneth Seabrooke
98''
Freddy Young
C Newman
115''

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
T Tann
11
F Theobald