Barnet 4 St. Albans City 1

Saturday 31st January 1942

Underhill

The Citizens suffered their tenth successive defeat in the Herts and Middlesex League on Saturday, when they played their return game with Barnet at Underhill, where, despite the fact that the pitch resembled a quagmire, much good football was seen. Players on both sides revealed considerable skill in mastering the difficult conditions, with the result that the game was thoroughly entertaining throughout.

Barnet were worthy winners because there was more cohesion and finish about their attack, in which Lester Finch was the star performer. St. Albans again experienced considerable difficulties in raising a team. Pipe, Crossley, who is suffering with a damaged hand, and Robinson all had to cry off. Goldsack, however, made a welcome reappearance following his recovery from the leg injury received in the match with Walthamstow Avenue.

St. Albans opened the scoring after ten minutes' play. a long shot from CUNNINGTON bouncing awkwardly in the goalmouth to completely deceive Greygoose. Barnet were not long in arrears. Finch, by a clever dribble, took the ball into the middle where he made a neat forward pass to HANCOCK, who appeared to be offside. He went on to give Powell no chance, St. Albans appealed vigorously but the referee would not listen to them.

Finch also played a big part in the movement which gave Barnet the lead before the interval. He drew defenders out of position and then sent the ball across the field to RYMAN, who took it in his stride and, cleverly side-stepping an opponent's challenge, scored a spectacular goal with a fast cross-shot.

Early in the second half, Barnet increased their advantage. RYMAN, in a capital individual effort, outwitted four opponents and then delivered a shot which left Powell helpless. St. Albans were never outplayed and, at times, attacked strongly, but could not muster sufficient thrust or shooting power to break down a strong defence in which Bunker, Hawkins and Duncan all played well. WEIGHTMAN obtained Barnet's fourth goal.

Barnet: W.F. Greygoose; E.W. Bunker, E.W. Hawkins; W. Weightman, J. Duncan, P. McKinney; Morisham, E. Ryman, K. Forster, J. Hancock, L. C. Finch.

St. Albans City: H. F. Powell: E. Cook, L. Goldsack: E. Cunnington, L. Hall, S. Kirkham: A. Figg, W. Saunders, D. Gurney, J. Richardson, A. Jenkins.

Referee: Mr. R. J. Barris (Watford).