Llangollen Advertiser Denbighshire Merionethshire and North Wales Journal

SPORTING. I ENGLISH CUP. j WREXHAM DRAW AT CREWE. 1 AN RXCITING CONTEST. I IWUfXBAafi a GOALS. I CEEWS ALEXANDITA 3 GOALS. (By X.Y.Z.) I "Wtetham and Crewe Alexandra met in the second I pound of the English Cup at Crewe on Saturday and a remarkable game was le.tt drawn after a series of thrilling incidents which roused a crowd of close up- rB five thousand people to a high pitch of excitement. Wrexham acd Crewe are old rivals. They formerly played together regularly each year. To-day Crewe are making a bold bid for the championship of the Central League whilst the Welshmen are still plod- ding along in the Birmingham and District League with which they have been associated for the past decade. Before the motet, It was expected that CMiwe, with their excellent record of work in the Central League this season, coupled with the fortune of the d .w for the choice of ground, would earn the light to enc-er the third round of the competition. The Wresfajixa directors were uncertain as to the con- stitution ot their eleven salt an hour before the start. Several players were on the injured list; others were retained by thf military authorities, and the journey from Wrexbam to Crewe had to be undertaken with- out a single reserve: Fortunately, most of the dif- iftcultiee were met and the selected eleven actually took tba> field although two of the players could net fee said to be physically equal to the strain of a etreimoua eup-iie. This fact, coupled with the proved ability oi the Crewe combination on their own enclos- ure produced a very general impression that the Welshmen would not be able to escape defeat. But, as usual in a, keen cup tie the unexpected happened and Ciewi- only escaped defeat in the last three min- utes of the The Welshmen secured a lead of two clear 4etls in as many minutes in the first half. 'Within a -third minute Crewe bad scored with a kick from the penalty mark and the teams crossed over .frith the Welshmen in a winning position. Subse- quently the Crewe forwards fought desperately for further favours but they were withheld and Wrexham took advantage of a lull in the protracted assault upon their own goal, to race away and score a third point. Time was fast slipping away and most of the supporters of the Crewe club had given up hope of $ITLY tue,ure of success. Then came an electrifying change and wl-ttois a mutale of minutes the Wrexham goal fell twice and the piayers retired with honours .:ca$1, until i,te game can be replayed at Wrexham. THE GAME. The game was thoroughly enjoyed by the crowd who quiekly caught the cup-tie spirit with which all the players were infected. Wrexham played with great determination and skill against odds. They were on foreign soil' im opposition to a combination -which had not been mastered at home this season. They had to play in the presence of over four thous- and keen partisans of the Crewe club, who gave the -iome players full-throated support and were much 'I too excited to pay any attention to the visiting com- bination. Notwithstanding these conditions and the epidemic of cup-tie fever which broke out from the start, the Weishmcn scored first and retained the 3«fcdi until the last five minutes »>f tha game. Their performance is. therefore, distinctly creditable and the second meeting of the clubs should produce ft rare race for supremacy. Impartia. observers would regard the result of the first meeting as a fair one. The Welshmen might easily have won. but on the balance of play Crewe conk, fairly claim a generous allowance of points, T.be Crew* forwards, admirably supported by capable Ulf backs, subjected the Welsh goal to one long aeries of assaults in the second half Which certainly deserved rf- ard. And this car. be said without in any way reflecting upon the ability of the Wrexham defenders who responded to every call with enthusi. as.mLand repelled attack after attack in the; wort 4etertalne4 fashion. At on* time the game resolved itself into a duel between Boxley and the Alexandra, forwards. The Wrexham goalkeeper gave a brilliant I exhibition, fielding shot after shot with the ciean cut <lexterity of a cricketer in the slips, and turn- 11mg aside with easel and coolness, scoring drives from each of the forwards in turn. He was admirably covered by reliable backs and halves whose work was far in advance of the men in the Welsh front line. The forwards die; r>ot seem able to secure their share of the ply and this threw a double portion of the work upon the defence. They were both clever and fckilful when they combined to attack the Crewe goal as the score sheet proves, Kut the Crewe custodian was not called upon to perform a quarter of the work that fell tu aolval., THE GOALS. Crewi3 played with ten men at the commencement .11 the game, buc Rigby arrived within ten minutes. Wrexham introduced Simpson, the old Everton and iTaamere back and Owen re-appeared in' the front line. The opening stages were evenly contested, and both goals wr. visited without result. The Crewe forwards forced the pace, but Boxley was safe, and both Jouea and Simpson defended with judgment. Wrexb?m aeored first after about half-an-hour's play. Soode ma<? an opening for Lewis who raced away and centred neatly. Owen failed to gather the centre which passed over to Xoel Edwards who closed in and scored a capital goal. Within a minute a free kick in mid-field was taken by R. Griffiths who shot Straight for the goal. The ball came down almost flttsih with the underside of the bar, and Scott, mis- fuilgfeig th* flight of the ball, had the mortification of seeng it fa,l into the net. A minute later Simp- RÐ handled in tha Wrtxhajm penalty area and the resultant frae kick was converted by Emery. Wrex- bam maintained the lead until late in the second fcalf despite the fact that the Welsh goal was under constant pressure. Boxley, however, could not be beaten and he succeeded' in clearing every shot in business-like fashion. About fifteen minutes from ithe end the Welsh forwards broke away as a result Of skiliul placing by Noel Edwards. P. Roberts raced away from Emery and cent-Ted with precision. Owen allowed th", ball to pass to Goode who, from an Tnnoarked position scored a third goal for his side. In the last five minutes Daviai) and Rowlands scored twice for Crewe amidst scenes of great excitement, and when time was called the ball was still m the Jjefcaity of the Welsh goal. THE PLAYERS. I Boxley was the outstanding player on the field. He gave an exhibition of goalkeep.ing eqal to the standard set -.a the English League and two of his (Clearances were remarkable feats of skill. A section of the spectators seemed to delight in singling out W)9. cHstodi&ft for persistent, vocal attention, which Stade onp wonder whether in the excitement of the tilt they bAd waived their claim to be. regarded as The defenders generally stood the strain of sus- tained and constant" pressure exceptionally well. Trevor Jones is developing into a sound and reliable back. R. A. Simpson was playing his first g?m? of <?be seasgi and he created a, very fa?urabi? im- 1.1Ql).- It was a severe test to turn out in an ex- citing cup-ti dter a long rest, but Simpson played 'with the coDèNlCe of an experienced defender and Ida play in future matches will be watched with great tuterest. MAtthims had the misfortune to sustain a knee injury midway through the contest, but he con- tinned to the end and played a whole-hearted game, and was alwaxs in the thick of the fray. E. D. Roberts was in excellent form and, although I have belli the opiu,or that he is not physically suited to the posit on « centre-half, I am compelled to admit that his work here is more than satisfactory, lie is aL hard worker and a player of intelligence. No one worked harder than R. Griffiths whose headi work in the last halt when Crewe were pressing was partic- ularly effective. He was hardly fast enough in a raoe with the outside right, and the strain of the Straggle compelled his retirement from tha balf. back iine in the iast few minutes of the game. Of the forwards Goode and Noel Edwards gave the best displays. Owen played an improved game but does hot appear to be a marksman. Edw'arda was a. doubt- ful starter owing to an injured limb, but he took the field and finished little the wors-6 despite the keenness of the struggle. Lewis has not recovered from the injury he received a few weeks ago and did little of note. Neither Lewis nor Roberts were able to place •he ball to aravage in ,tie opening hail and there were Ions periods of the game wher. Wrexham seemed to be practically dependent upon three forwards. Roberts played with more confidence in the second half, but, like several of the other players, suffered from cup-tie lever. This produced the usual results. Possibly they ray all be in a happier frame of mind when the tie H, replayed at Wrexham Racecourse on Wednesday. A hey certairdy failed to settle down 10 their work at Crewe and the honours of the day be- long to Boxley and. his colleagues for the manner vn which they held up the pertinacious Alexandra for- wards, Crewe possess a welHmHt eleven and one which has achieved a considerable measure of success in the Central League. Scott, is, I believe, a safe custodian, but be was not g,v-i a tithe of the work reserved for Boxlev, anti in f11) opinion, he should have saved the second goal score by Wrexham. Leese was the ootter back. Emery ticks a nice length, but carries tor much T/a.ght t. bt> useful against fast forwards. Moss, the olu Villa player, is the cleverest half- back, hut Turner plays with great skill and, like several o. nis Crewe wdeagues, has mastered the art of trapping the ball. Dunn played capital football in the middle of the line, and plied the wing for- wards with capital passes. Of the forwards Rigby and L J-nes were the oest but both P. Jones and Davies worked unceasingly. Stanley Rowlands, the old Welshpool. Wrexham and Tranmere centre-for- ward, led the Crewe line in capital fashion, but was not very effective in front of goal. The Crewe eleven compelled the Welshmen to defend their goal for quite half an hr-ur in the second stage of the game, and notwithstanding Boxley's nrilliance, goals would have been scored if the Alexandra forwards had been equal to the occasion. In all probability they shared tll. excitement of tts crowd and it almost cost them the match. They live to fight again, but away from home. At Crevf the,, plryed under the most favour- able conditions, but they could not win, and only drew level in the last few minutes of the game. Teams:— Wrexham: Boxley; T. Jones, R. A. Simpson; Mat- thias, E. D. Roberts. R, Griffiths; Lewis, Goode, Owen, Noel Edwards, and F. Roberts. Crewe Alexandra: Scott; Emery. Leese; Moss, Dunn and Turner; L. Jones, P. Jones, A. S. Rowlands, Davies, ed Rigby. Referee: T. H. Jackson West Kirby. Gate receipts, £ 273. Attendance 4,600. NORTH WALES ALLIANCE. DIVISION L COURTALDS, FLINT V. OSWESTRY I COMRADES. OSWESTRY'S UNDESERVING I REVERSE. COURTAULD3 4 GOALS. I OSWESTRY COMRADES 3 GOALS. I Oswestry were entertained by Cpurtaulds at Flint on Saturday. Both teams have been showing bad form this season, the homesters not having won a match, whilst the visitors had only one point to boast 1i of. The ground was wet, making play very hard. It is a. regrettable fa¡y(J that men chosen to play do not put in an appearance and fail to inform the secretary of their inability to pl;ky, Such was the position" last Saturday when the Comrades, found that they were minus two players when entraining, and I am sure. bmad the full team turned out, they would have secured the necessary point?. As it was, they proved them- f selves the superior team, but the substitutes on each r ,,¡ng were sadly lacking, opportunities in galore going abegglng. It was not Courtaulds' day, Jack of com- bination and understanding being their main faults, and but for the sound play of Davies and Thomas (backs) the score registered against them would have been much heavier. For the Comrades the most effective player was C. Griffiths, who made numerous onslaughts on his own, and who was responsible in the main for all three goals, and hr.d his old partner been with him might have accounted for at least six goals. His bustling tactics and spirited rim were a feature, of the game. Carlton 03 t-e left, played a fine game, but retains possession of the ball too long, being robbed or bustled off the ball several times when the forwards were waiting unmarked. Plimmer was fairly good, but it would be a great improvement on his part to work nearer seal before, shooting. E. Hughes, one of the reserves called upon to play, is a promising half- back, quick to seize opportunities, and a hefty stumb- ling bJock. He certainly warrants more appearances in the team. As usual, Jones and Milner played with great deliberation as backs, i.lways being prominent. Roberts, in goal, made some remarkable saves, but be ought to have prevented two of the goals. Teams: Courtaulds: J .?oyce; B. DavMs. F. Thomas; T. Murray R. Roberta. T. James: D. C. Thomas, W. Williams, T. Parry. E. Evans and G. Parry. Oswestry Comrades: H. Roberts; R. Jones, C. Milner; E. Hughes, T. Roberts, A. Frost; W. Price, B. Carlton, Plimmer, C. Griffiths and W. Jones. ReM-ee: Mr. Atherton, QueeDsferry. ACREFAIR V. CONNAHS QUAY. I ACREFAIR, 6 GOALS. CONNAH'S QUAY 6 GOALS. I Played at Acretair OA Saturday before a good gate. Acrefair won the loss and quickly sprinted up the 'field but found the visitors were ready and ihe ball was parsed,down the neid with rapidity, the visitors scoring within, two minutes from the kick-off. Caught napping the home team woke up and a nice pass from Evans to Butterton failed to score although the Way was clear. A few minutes later A. Hewitt scored an- other for the visitors. The ball was now kept in the centre of the field for some. time and a fine shot by D. Lloyd was splendidly saved by the visitor's goal- keeper. For some time Acrefair pressed and came l with\nan ace of scoring on two occasions. A foul acd ?comer kick for the visitors failed to i"Jiie. The game was trq, cosaetinje fast and the home team worked with a. will, and after a hard struggle But- terton scored. The ball was now quickly passed down the field and J. Jones added the third goal for the visitors who, from now until the conclusion of the game, played a good and clean game. They again asserted themselves but although two corners were given them they did not score, although for fully ten miiiut-e-i they were continually at the mouth of the home goal. The homesers were smart in running the ball up the field and a melee in the visitors' goal resulted in J. D. Evans scoring for Acrefair, and within four minutes D. Lloyd scored two more for the home team. Half-time: Acrefair 4; Connah's Quay 8. Resuming play, the game was even for some time, both teams playing well, bht eventually Acrefair got close up to the visitors' goal and Butterton headed the ball into the net. J. D. Evans scored the sixth for Acrefair from a corner kick and a fine shot by f Butterton was splendidly saved by the visitors' goal. keeper. The ball was taken away from the home team quickly and nicely passed up the neM with the result that .f .Jones scored the fourth for the visitors. They pressed hard and a penalty kick by C. Hewitt resulted in Connah's Quay scoring their fifth goal. From now on the ball was tossed about the centre of the field, neither teams tripping away any further, and the final result was Acrefair 6; Connah's Quay 8. Immediately the whistle blew the visitors approach- ed the xeferee and strongiy resented: his decisions. The crowd save&around and one or two attempt* at free fights were suppressed. On the visitors returiling from the ground in their motor charabanc, bricks and I a bottle was thrown at the players, the bottie hitting the driver .11 the head. Teams:— I Acrefair; Wilfrid Howell; J. 0. Roberts, Harry Jones; s. i 7ms, Fred Matthews, b. Vaughan; T. E. Jœe,¡¡..).1110;\< B. Butterton. J. D. Evans, J. Clutton. Connah's Quay: T. Atherton; A. Lamberg, J. H. Cooper; C. Hewit-t, E. Jones, T. Lamberg; W. Hughes, C. Edwards, A. Hewitt, J. Jones, and H. Lomax. I Referee: Mr. T. 1. Jones, Wrexham. ¡  RHOSYMEDREV.BRYMBO 1 tNSTtTUTE. ¡ I RHOSYMEDRE 5 GOALS. i BRYMBO INSTITUTE .NONE. This return fixture was played at Rhosymedre on Saturday. Playing with the wind. Rhosymedre soon took the lead, Walter Jones heading into the net from well-placed corner by Love. Maintaining the pressure, the home team were given another opportunity to score as the result of a mdskick by J. Davies, but Richards failed to shoot accurately. The visiting backs at this juncture were very shaky, but they eventually improved, J. Davies giving a capital dis- play under heavy pressure. Play veered to the oppos- ite end and after eluding T. Jones, who was the homesters' old full back (Rhosymedre playing ten men throughout the first half), he sent in the best shot of the match, which Jones saved in masterly style. Gough, the home right half, was very conspicuous, his tackling and placing being of a high order and on one occasion Matthias had considerable difficulty in dis- posing of a curling shot from this player. The visitors made ground on the right wing and J. Jackson was favourably placed but he drove the ball wide. This was most fortunate for the home team inasmuch as E. Jones started to run for the ball, but endeavoured to get back to goal before the Institute forward shot. Love was causing Hughes much anxiety, his speedy runs along the touch line repeatedly placing the Brymbo goal In jeopardy. After Matthias had cleared a dangerous shot frm Love this player forced a corner aad, placing the ball right in front of goal, Wright headed a second point. Interval: Rhosymedre 2; Brymbo 0. The visitors pressed vigorously on resuming Mid Jones was brought to his knees with two rasping shots. A combined movement by the home forwards looked ominous for Brymbo, but Arthur handled; in the goal-mouth. Corners to both sides brought nothing tangible; but shortly afterwards a comer placed ty I Richards enabled W. Jones to augment the score with another heacer. Rhosymedre at this point was immeasurably the superior team. Richards hit the upright and a few minutes later he scored the fourth goal with an oblique shot, following a clever run by Charlie Edw?.i ,.s. The Institute custodian was very rocky .for some time and it was fortunate for his side that Hughen was steady at full back, which position he had taken owing to an injury to J. Davies. Richards brought the home total to five goals with a shot from close range. In the closing stages Brymbo held the npper hand, but Jones and bis backs were quite safe. Tea-ms:- Rhosymedre: E. Jones; T. Jones, B. Nicholas, M. Roberts; Walter Jones, H. Gough, W. Richards; H. Arthur, J. Wright, C. Edwards, and J. Love. Brymbo: J. T. Matthias; S. Jones, J. Davies; B. Hughes, R. Morris, J. Newnes; J. C. Evans, J. Jack- I son, A. Salisbury, D. Jackson, and E. Williams. I Referee: Mr. D. T. Lodwick, Oswestry. RUABON V. CAERGWRLE. I RUABON < 4 GOALS. I CAERGWRLE 2 GOALS. I Played at Wynnstay Park, Ruabco, on Saturday. Ruabon seared twice in the first half and Caergwrle responded with a single. After the interval the homesters added two further goals and Caergwrle only found the net on one occasion. Referee: Mr. O. E. Roberts. R.W.F. V. BRYMBO GREEN. I BRYMDO 7 GOALS I I &-W.F. GO ALB. I Played at Brymbo. The home team were in capital form and the Fusiliers were overplayed, the Greea winning comfortably by seven goals to two. Referee: Mr. E. Brown. Tï:tns:- Brymbo Green: T. Williams; E. Griffiths and C. Davjes; S. Williams, B. Jones, R. Webb; D. Jones, Dai Jones, Tom Jones, H. Edwards, 'H. Jones. R.W.F.: Hughes; Kensilt, Jepson; Saint, Payne, Parkin; Smith, trquhart, W. Arbrithnot, Godfrey, I F. Arbfithnot. I RHYL V. ESCLUSHAM. HHYX 2 GQALS. I ESCLUSHAM NONE- Played at Bsclusham on Saturday. The first half did not produce a single goal, but Rhyl were the stronger side and soon after crossing over the Eiclusham* goalkeeper was beaten twice, first by Gal- lagher and then by Hughes. Penalty kicks wayo awarded to each side during the game, but both were missed. Esclusham tried hard to reduce the tead, but were unable to score, and Rhyl won by two dear goals. Useful work was performed by the Rhyl out- side left. Te-ams:- Esclusham White Stars: H. Thomson; T. Williams, W. Williams; S. Morgan, Howell, Davies; Edwards, G. Davies, Roberts, Robinson, R. Lloyd1. Rhyl: R. J. Bowcutt; W. Williams, John Roberts; E. e, Hughes, W, J. Hughes, J. Roberts; N. Pritchard, R. Galligar, R. 18. Hughes. R. Jones, T. S. Croft. Referee: E. Carless, Ruabon. NORTH WALES ALLIANCE. I DIVISION II. JOHNSTOWN v. RHOSROBI2T.—-iPlayed at Johns- town on Saturday. This was the opening match of the recently resuscitated Johnstown club. An even game ended in & draw of ,one goal each. Referee; Mr. H. Harrison, Brymbo. BRYMBO INSTITUTE v. GARDEN VILI.,AGE.-At Brymbo on Saturday. The Villagers were no matcb for the steel workers, who won easily by 6 goals to 1. Referee: Mr. G. D. Nunnerley. STANSTY v. RHOSNE&SNEY.—At dtqnsty on Sat- urday. The game was keenly contested, and Stansty toily succeed, in winning by means of a penalty goal. Rhosnessney were admirably served in goal by a clever custodian. Re.sult; Stansty l; Rbos-neasnev 0. St4i4?t)r 1; 0. HOLT UNITED v. POWELL'S ATHLETIC—At Holt on Saturday last 4elfore a good attendance. Holt woo the toss and took advantage of the slope. The inter- val arrived with the score; Poweiiv Athletic 1; Holt United 0. J. Davies did the hat trick. The Holt spectators not relishing this rushedi on the field and it was evident they they thought the player was off- side. This upset the referee who, in trying to re- trieve his mistake disallowed three goals for the visitors, each claimed to be offside. The game after, wards resolved itself into a scramble and Charleston, ia clearing, accidentally handled the ball and the referee awarded a penalty from which Soden scored with a fast drive. Further scoring took place, Powell's running out victors by 3 goals to J. Trains: Powell's: j. Evans; F. Charleston; T. G. Evans, D. Evans, F. Rowlands, W. Forkin; Em, Hughes, J. Jones, O. wmiams, J. Davies and Blackwell. Holt United: T. Mitlington; H. Hughes, H. Slawson, B. Sodce, W, Smith, Huxley; Chas. Slawson, E. Forkin. Huxley, Jones,, and W. Hughes. Referee*. G. H. 0%ens. The following have been re-instated as amateurs: Caradoc Davies (late Wrexham F.C.), Oswald Lewis (Gwersyllt), and Wallace Joaea (Rhosymedre). In II granting le-instatements the Welsh F.A. will give special consideration to mea who have served in the ferceij, or to players who ea-B produce very; good coutds ifi snoMffc of 1ib" aT>1)".a-.