Walthamstow Avenue 4 St. Albans City 0

Saturday 28th February

Green Pond Road

League Cup 1st Round

CITIZENS' UNLUCKY DAY.

The Citizens' supporters well remember how unfortunate the team was on the occasion of Walthamstow Avenue's visit to Clarence Park . in a League game during November. On Saturday, when St. Albans opposed the Avenue at Walthamstow in the first round of the Herts and Middlesex League Challenge Cup, they were even more unfortunate.

The Avenue, with a side of almost pre-war vintage, were at full strength. The Citizens had to make a series of last-minute changes. Pipe had to cry off; W. Saunders was unfit and Ron Burke could not get away from duty in time to turn out. St. Albans introduced J. Connolly and E. Jones, of the South Lancs, at outside-right and outside-left, respectively, and the Avenue sportingly provided a player, G. Slather, to complete the side. Slather, who figured at inside-left. is a skilful lad and St Albans settled down to hold their own well in what was for twenty-five minutes a fast, interesting game, with play going from end to end rapidly, and little to choose between the sides.

Atter twenty-live minutes, however, St. Albans had their first stroke of misfortune. Powell, in making a save from Bryant, sustained a knee injury and had to leave the field. Hall, who had previously been an outstanding figure at centre-half, took Powell's place in goal. Despite this handicap, St. Albans continued to play well and the interval arrived without score. Lewis and Chevantre, on the Walthamstow right wing, combined cleverly, but the Citizens defended soundly. Cook, who had moved to centre-half, together with Wright and Reid, at back, having the measure of the opposing forwards. Hall had some difficult shots to stop and performed so creditably that a good sporting crowd accorded him an ovation.

Powell, although limping badly, insisted upon resuming in the second half, when he figured at outside-left, where, despite his gallant attempts to be of service to his side, he could accomplish very little. Nevertheless, ex-changes wore even for ten minutes or so, and then St. Albans had their second stroke of misfortune. Wright was hurt and had to he carried off. He was unable to resume and the Citizens were reduced to nine fit men.

It was not long before the Avenue secured the lead. Davis, an amateur international, who combined delightfully with Gilberg, put BRYANT through, and from close range he gave Hall no chance. The Citizens fought back gallantly, Robinson and Connolly making some good runs, but it soon became evident that St. Albans' defenders were feeling the strain of the heavy attacks which were made by the Avenue, who increased their lead as the result of a grand run by Lewis. He delivered a powerful shot which Hall could only push out to BRYANT, who promptly netted.

St. Albans replied with a series of raids, but, owing to their depleted vanguard, lacked the forcefulness necessary to finish off good approach work. The Avenue attack carried out some delightful movements, but St. Albans foiled all until BRYANT, a powerfully-built Guardsman, fastened on to a loose ball and forced his way through to complete his "hat-trick" with an unstoppable shot. Lewis continued to open up the game with well-judged passes, and one enabled CHEVANTRE to cut in and complete the scoring with a well-placed shot which Reid, in endeavouring to clear, helped into the net.

It was a most unlucky day for the Citizens and they deserve all the credit which the Walthamstow folk freely showered upon them for their plucky fight under great adversity. Wright's injury has, unfortunately, proved to be serious and he was admitted to hospital on Sunday.

Walthamstow Avenue: A. Pinner: J. Johnson. S. Bracken; W. Harden, H. Oliver, H. Harris; J. Chevantre, J. W. Lewis, B. Bryant, F. A. Davis, H. Gilberg.

St. Albans City: H. Powell; J. Reid, E. Cook; E. Wright. L. Hall. H. Crossley; J. Connolly, T. Robinson, E. McCoy, G. Slather, E. Jones.

Referee: G. A. Watkins (Ilford).