Sammy Hatton
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With Chesham Generals and St Albans City both in the running for the championship of the Spartan League, the meeting of the teams at Chesham on Saturday was fraught with considerable interest.
The City won by two goals to one and so well did they play that they thoroughly deserved their victory. Despite the absence of Grimsdell, Meagher and Edmonds there was not a weak spot on the eleven, indeed, both in the forward line and defence there was more nippiness than heretofore.
Except for Chesham’s one scoring shot, with which he had no chance, Smith dealt with everything that came his way with his usual confidence, but Hearn and Hatton played so well in the back division that his duties were fairly light. Hearn, the best back on the field, has rarely played so finely, his tackling being sure and his kicking superb. Hatton, who has been playing for Watford Reserves, was little behind his partner in either direction and the City could not wish for a finer defence.
Cool and energetic respectively, Wiggs and Brandham were overshadowed by Michell in the half back line. The last named, nominally an inside-right, was a tower of strength at left-half and, to speak figuratively, he had Hodgkinson, the Chesham winger, in his pocket for nearly the whole of the game. He also kicked to his forwards with fine judgement.
Forward, Paul led his line with rare dash and made nice passes to the wingers who usually put them to good use and it was bad luck more than anything else that prevented the City from obtaining several other goals. The fine headwork of Marsh and Hammond was a feature of the City’s forward play.
Reprinted from “The Herts Advertiser and St Albans Times” 29th March 1913. |
