A corner is taken at the match.
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The St Albans City team journeyed to Rickmansworth on Saturday to attempt to wrest the premier honours from the Rickmansworth team. Short time was played and the City, who secured choice of ends, elected to kick with a strong cross wind slightly in their favour.
Rickmansworth attacked first and after a few minutes play Blatch effected a marvellous save, which drew forth applause from the spectators. The visitors then returned the pressure and after this, except for occasional breakaways, the Saints were practically always in the vicinity of the home goal. A number of corners were forced by the St Albans team, but with more than their ordinary share of bad luck, the Saints were unable to convert. Just about this time, when the visitors were well up, some good play resulted in Walker being presented with an opportunity which he made ample use of, notching the first point of the match. Half-time arrived shortly afterwards with the score as stated.
Upon the resumption of play the visitors returned to the attack and some pretty play resulted. About midway through the second half Noel secured, and a passing run between himself and Hosier resulted in the latter player eventually scoring with a fine shot which went past the goalie, who was out to save. The homesters attacked at intervals but Blatch in goal was grand and the game concluded with the City victorious by 2 goals to nil.
St Albans were deservedly winners on the play, but it stands to the credit of Blatch that the homesters did not “break their duck”. Bourdon and Patrick were as safe as ever. The halves were very good, Davis being in his old form again and he played finely on Saturday. Chapman improves with every match and Anderson also did well, although he hangs too long on the ball. The forwards gave a good display. Weston and Hosier on the extreme wings played well and Walker and Noel accomplished some good work, whilst Green showed some tricky footwork.
For the homesters the forwards played well and the halves followed them closely, but the backs miskicked a lot. The goalie was fine and his work deserves commendation.
Reprinted from “The Herts Advertiser and St Albans Times” 19th December 1908 |
