Southall did something to justify the retention of a reputation as a team with staying power, for after appearing unfavourably in a comparison with their last Saturday’s opponents Hampstead Town in the first twenty minutes, they gradually wore down the defence and demoralised the attack of the North Londoners and by the only goal of the match again qualified to appear in the final of the Middlesex Senior [Charity] Cup. The weather and other conditions came near to being the footballers’ ideal, the sun shone brightly for part of the game and the turf was in splendid condition, the only fly in the ointment being the breeze that blew slant wise across the ground though this was not sufficiently strong to be a cause for very great discomfort.

About 1,500 spectators witnessed the encounter. The visitors, who delayed the start until 3.30 through late arrival, brought with them a large contingent of followers, who cheered on their favourites with vocal encouragement and rattles and bells. Successful at the spin of the coin, Hampstead opened with the slight advantage the breeze offered. Midfield play was the rule the first few minutes, and then the home defence were called upon to repel repeated rushes. These mostly originated with the left-wing, where Tomkins and Garlick displayed a nice understanding and were responsible for some clever footwork giving Beach and Austin plenty of work. On one occasion Garlick got right clear of the backs but finished badly by sending high over the bar.

Ives had seemed to have lost some of his usual judgment in his early kicking but quickly recovered himself and played with all his ability in kicking and tackling for the remainder of the game. Austin and Syms were always prominent in frustrating the aggressive intentions of the visitors, so that Cox, who was deputising in goal for Haynes, was seldom called upon to exert himself though he dealt in a capable manner with the shots that came his way. The home forwards had been working hard to gain a larger share of the attack and soon they were equally aggressive with their opponents. Beach sent in a dropping shot that Matthews did well to save with three forwards hampering him. The exchanges were very fast, and play did not remain long in any one portion of the field but was quickly transferred from end to end.

Tomkins accepted a good pass from Garlick and fired in a shot that Cox tipped over the bar. The corner followed without result, but Hampstead came again without result but offside spoilt the attempt after Garlick had dropped a centre right into the goalmouth. Clever passing between Harvey and Northam took the ball to the other end and a corner was conceded. Northam took the kick and the ball again went behind off a defender. The referee's award of a goal-kick aroused a good deal of dissention from the crowd and players on both sides, the visiting goalkeeper showing his disagreement by throwing the ball over to the corner flag. The ball was retuned, however, and the game proceeded. Cork cleverly beat three opponent and got clear away but instead of progressing closer to goal, shot from some distance out and the ball rolled wide of the goal.

At the opposite end, Ives was responsible for a fine defensive effort in preventing the danger which threatened from Fearn, who was almost through. The Hampstead goal had an exciting moment in the last minute of the first half, a centre by Stone from almost the flag post was accurately placed in the goalmouth but though Wyatt and Cork tried hard to get to the ball, Matthews cleared in excellent fashion.

Southall attacked from the restart and after a fine attempt by Cork, Ballard sent in a long ground shot which Matthews saved with difficulty. Ballard was then unfortunate with a good shot, following a corner kick, the ball rebounding off one of the backs. The home forwards now kept up an incessant attack, but their shooting lacked direction and force, and though they often had the defence in difficulties in spite of the splendid word of Horbury at back and Schebsman at centre half, Matthews was not called upon to deal with any really dangerous shots. The Hampstead attack had fallen off considerably, and at no time in the second half did it reach the high standard at up in the first twenty minutes of the game. They put a little life onto their play occasionally but generally appeared demoralised, the fine defence of Syms, Austin and Ives having apparently extracted the sting from the attack. When they received the ball, they often contented themselves with a long shot at goal and followed up the ball, so that Cox had to leave goal on several occasions. Southall kept the upper hand and Stone, after cleverly eluding two opponents, sent across to Northam who was well-placed but shot high over the bar. Hampstead came the closest to scoring when Humphreys stood in the goalmouth to accept a centre from Garlick but headed over the bar.

Northam again led the attack and swung the ball across with good judgment, Cork just failing to turn it into the goal and Matthews cleared. Ballard essayed a long shot, which Cork headed into the goal well out of Matthews reach, but was in as offside position. It was a fine effort that led to the goal the Southall forwards had striven hard to obtain but had been so long denied. Wyatt, who had been working hard to bring about the desired result, brought the ball forward and then Harvey cleverly worked his way through the defence and passed to Cork, who was enabled to send in a hard drive which easily beat Matthews. Southall continued to have much the better of matters, but the whistle sounded time without any increase in the score having taken place.