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Match details
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Stevenage Town 1-1 WelwynSaturday, 31 October 1903
Herts County League Northern Division Referee: Attendance: 'A disappointing array' Scorers: Simmonds Stevenage team
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Match coverage
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Hertfordshire Express, Saturday, November 7, 1903
STEVENAGE TOWN V WELWYN
Played on Saturday at Stevenage before a disappointing array of spectators. In other years these clubs meeting together have generally been the occasion of record attendances. Both were well represented, although neither eleven is up to the strength of two seasons ago. The Welwyn team turned up about 20 minutes late, and in consequence the last 10 minutes of the game was played in semi-darkness, with rain falling.
The visitors won the toss, and chose to defend the top goal. The first half was keenly contested, both sides striving hard for the mastery. Carpenter for Stevenage missed a chance soon after the start, and from the goal-kick the ball was transferred to the other end, where for a time Welwyn put pressure on without avail. The Stevenage defence was fairly safe, and managed to keep their goal intact during the first half. Meanwhile they had the satisfaction of seeing their own forwards do a bit of pressing and finally, after a shot had been put in from the right, Simmonds rushed in and forced the ball into the net.
The second half was equally keenly fought, but a spiteful element became apparent, which was manifested mostly towards Carpenter, who was in fine form. Hulse, at left half, was the chief offender, and ought to have been cautioned; on two occasions he brought Carpenter down just outside the penalty area, and seemed rather too fond of kicking where there was no ball.
During this half the home defence improved, mainly through some dashing play by Ansell at left back, he checking dangerous rushes repeatedly. After Field had taken the ball right through and failed to score, Males for Welwyn got possession, and beating the opposition put across to the right wing, and the outside man put in a good shot which Parsons saved but failed to clear, and the ball was promptly netted by "Ranji."
After this Stevenage had all the play, except that two corners were forced against them. At the other end Field, Simmonds and Powdrill missed easy chances; in each case a tap would have scored, but in two the ball went clear over the goal, and in the third, Field's, the ball hit the inside of the post and came out into play. Darkness was now setting in, and some rough play was indulged in; but there was no more scoring, and the teams thus divided the two points between them.
Now that Stevenage have made a beginning it is to be hoped that better progress will be made in the Herts League competition. On the play in this game the Town are certainly an improved side. Parsons in goal had nothing much to do, and ought to have saved the one goal scored against him. Both backs played well, particularly in the latter half. Bird at right half was far ahead of his two colleagues, and was easily the best half on the field. All the forwards tried hard, Carpenter being the best; his speed was superior to his opponents', and time after time he outpaced them all. Field played a good game but he does a great deal too much by himself; he would make a fine centre-half. The other forwards were trying all the way, and sheer hard luck robbed at least two of them of goals.
The visitors' goalkeeper, Ashby, saved the game for them, although he cleared badly twice in the second half. All the defence played a well-combined game, and understood one another to a nicety. Hulse at left half was a very useful man, but his tactics at times looked very doubtful. Males was the best of the row of forwards, and not only that but his gentlemanly game was appreciated. "Ranji" was a good second.
STEVENAGE TOWN V WELWYN
Played on Saturday at Stevenage before a disappointing array of spectators. In other years these clubs meeting together have generally been the occasion of record attendances. Both were well represented, although neither eleven is up to the strength of two seasons ago. The Welwyn team turned up about 20 minutes late, and in consequence the last 10 minutes of the game was played in semi-darkness, with rain falling.
The visitors won the toss, and chose to defend the top goal. The first half was keenly contested, both sides striving hard for the mastery. Carpenter for Stevenage missed a chance soon after the start, and from the goal-kick the ball was transferred to the other end, where for a time Welwyn put pressure on without avail. The Stevenage defence was fairly safe, and managed to keep their goal intact during the first half. Meanwhile they had the satisfaction of seeing their own forwards do a bit of pressing and finally, after a shot had been put in from the right, Simmonds rushed in and forced the ball into the net.
The second half was equally keenly fought, but a spiteful element became apparent, which was manifested mostly towards Carpenter, who was in fine form. Hulse, at left half, was the chief offender, and ought to have been cautioned; on two occasions he brought Carpenter down just outside the penalty area, and seemed rather too fond of kicking where there was no ball.
During this half the home defence improved, mainly through some dashing play by Ansell at left back, he checking dangerous rushes repeatedly. After Field had taken the ball right through and failed to score, Males for Welwyn got possession, and beating the opposition put across to the right wing, and the outside man put in a good shot which Parsons saved but failed to clear, and the ball was promptly netted by "Ranji."
After this Stevenage had all the play, except that two corners were forced against them. At the other end Field, Simmonds and Powdrill missed easy chances; in each case a tap would have scored, but in two the ball went clear over the goal, and in the third, Field's, the ball hit the inside of the post and came out into play. Darkness was now setting in, and some rough play was indulged in; but there was no more scoring, and the teams thus divided the two points between them.
Now that Stevenage have made a beginning it is to be hoped that better progress will be made in the Herts League competition. On the play in this game the Town are certainly an improved side. Parsons in goal had nothing much to do, and ought to have saved the one goal scored against him. Both backs played well, particularly in the latter half. Bird at right half was far ahead of his two colleagues, and was easily the best half on the field. All the forwards tried hard, Carpenter being the best; his speed was superior to his opponents', and time after time he outpaced them all. Field played a good game but he does a great deal too much by himself; he would make a fine centre-half. The other forwards were trying all the way, and sheer hard luck robbed at least two of them of goals.
The visitors' goalkeeper, Ashby, saved the game for them, although he cleared badly twice in the second half. All the defence played a well-combined game, and understood one another to a nicety. Hulse at left half was a very useful man, but his tactics at times looked very doubtful. Males was the best of the row of forwards, and not only that but his gentlemanly game was appreciated. "Ranji" was a good second.