George Webb was dismissed after punching Patrick Gallienne of Barnet Alston.
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The eagerly looked forward to encounter between St Albans City and Barnet Alston Athletic(sic), in the second preliminary round(sic) of the F.A.Cup, was witnessed by a record crowd at Clarence Park on Saturday and produced one of the keenest and most interesting games ever seen in the Cathedral City. A draw of a goal each was the result and the game is to be replayed at Barnet on Thursday.
An unfortunate scene marked the closing stages of the game, two players coming to blows and being ordered off the field. The scene followed the missing of a penalty by Hosier when excitement was at a high pitch. Hosier put the ball wide and from the goal kick the Barnet left wing took right to the other end. What is then alleged to have taken place is this : Webb tackled and ran towards his own goal, alongside Gallienne, the Barnet inside left (who is known to Patrick by reason of his Irish birth) and other Barnet forwards. It is said that Gallienne deliberately kneed Webb four or five times; that the latter had spoken to Gallienne of this, but that it was repeated, with the result that Webb struck Gallienne in the face. Other blows followed and spectators ran on the field from all quarters. The players were lost in the crowd, but in a few minutes order was restored. The referee ordered Gallienne and Webb from the field, the spectators were likewise ordered off and the game restarted.
On the run of play the City would not have deserved to win, for although they were as good as their opponents in the first half, the second half saw them for the most part on the defensive. Barnet were at full strength, but the City were obliged to include a reserve man in the half-back line – J.Richardson, in place of Price.
The gate at Clarence Park on Saturday was a record one for the City. The number that paid for admission was 1,276 and there included a fair amount of Barnetonians. The takings amounted to £19 10s 8d.
The replay takes place on Thursday on the Barnet ground. How will the City fare ? With a dose of nerve tonic before they go they should make the fight a close one; as to the result, well, the City will go with the intention of winning and one can only hope that they will be satisfied. The team will be the same as on Saturday with the exception that Price takes the place of Sharpe in the forward line. The kick-off is at 3.30 and the City team will leave the G.N.R. St Albans(1) at 2.45. Arrangements have been made whereby cheap party tickets will be available and City supporters are invited to go to Barnet and cheer their favourites.
Reprinted from the “The St Albans Post” 6th October 1909.
(1) London Road Station |
