St. Albans City 2 Tufnell Park 1
Saturday 14th February
The Citizens ended a long run of reverses in the Herts and Middlesex League on Saturday, when they defeated Tufnell Park, at St. Albans. They had not won a League match since Ron Burke left to join the R.A.F. in November, and his return to the side contributed much to this timely success.
Conditions were difficult but much good football was seen. St. Albans, who kept the ball close, had the better of the exchanges in the first half. PIPE, who played cleverly on the left wing, opened the scoring after twenty-five minutes' play by smartly snapping up a chance presented as the result of a miskick by an opposing defender. BURKE quickly added a second goal with a well-placed shot, following a clever movement by Saunders and Robinson.
With the advantage of the slope in the second half St. Albans monopolised play, but met with a tenacious defence, and were foiled by the brilliant goalkeeping of Desborough, who was often tested and brought off many spectacular saves, including a penalty-kick, awarded for a foul on Kirkham and taken by Burke.
Generally, the Tufnell Park forwards were well held until the closing stages, although it was only a thrilling dive by Powell at Westwood's feet that prevented a score in the first half. After the penalty-kick had been saved, Tufnell Park made several dangerous sorties in which TAYLOR reduced the deficit and Westwood missed a great chance of equalising.
The Citizens generally gave a much-improved display and it was only the grand work of Desborough that prevented them running up a big score. The South Lancs contingent—Reid, Wright, Kinnaird and McCoy - added strength to the side, and the return of Burke brought much-needed thrust to the attack. Lynch and Thompson defended soundly for Tufnell Park. while Westwood and Hodge. a former St. Albans player, did best in the forward line.
St. Albans City: H. Powell: J. Reid, S. Kirkham: W. Wright, L. Hall, H. Kinnaird: W. Saunders, T. Robinson, R. Burke, E. McCoy, B. Pipe.
Tufnell Park: S. Desborough: J. Fennell, P. Lynch: A. Wharton, S. Thompson, J. Adams: L. Taylor, A. Westwood, L. Bustard, K. Schofield, F. Hodge.
Referee: Mr. R. Hay (Romford).