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Games so far: 1st Round - London Caledonians 1 Wycombe Wanderers 4 Since the first round win over London Caledonians, the Blues had won three successive Isthmian League games at Loakes Park over Christmas and New Year holiday period. Despite playing in the Athenian League, visitors Walthamstow Avenue were considered by many to be one of the finest amateur teams around. Wycombe went into the tie with a slightly weakened side. A 'Special Committee' meeting was called on the eve of the game at Mr Norman's house in Desborough Road to fill the vacancy caused by the indisposition of 'Dick' Braisher who had “knee poisoning”. The unanamious decision was agreed to move John Timberlake from left-half to inside left and bring in Arthur Greenwell at left-half. Elsewhere, with Doug Vernon away assisting the RAF, George Tapping came in as a replacement centre-foward. Wycombe Wanderers versus Walthamstow Avenue At Loakes Park - Attendance: 6,232 'Touchline' documented the game for the Bucks Free Press and reported that Wanderers' Captain Timberlake lost the toss which resulting in his side having to play the first half into a stiff breeze. Yet within 60 seconds Wycombe had taken the lead, Cox robbed Avenue’s Vango straight from the kick off and passed to Badrick who played the ball out to Britnell. The winger sped forward and crossed for Tapping to force his way through a surprised defence and fire the Wanderers into an early lead. Despite this setback, Walthamstow quickly settled and attacked. Timberlake headed clear from a corner and then Kipping save brilliantly from Avenue’s Jenner. Wanderers’ wingers Britnell and Simmons were making their influence felt and with 10 minutes gone, Simmons found Tapping who slipped between the visitors defence and raced away to make it 2-0. Walthamstow rallied but the Wanderers defence, with Rance particularly outstanding generally took the sting from their attacks, until a quarter of an hour in, Avenue winger Embleton’s shot from a tight angle was punched away by Kipping only for Pulling to fire home the rebound. This only served to fire up the home side that began to overwhelm the visitors, keeping them pegged back in their half. Britnell was brilliant in the first half until he was the victim of three consecutive fouls all within the space of as many minutes, from Andrews, to whom the referee spoke. This raised the ire of the crowd, as Britnell was obviously in pain. The Avenue goal had a couple of lucky escapes as Brown hit the foot of the post before Tapping found the net for his hat-trick after more good work from Simmons. Three minutes later Simmons was again the provider this time for Bill Brown, who fired home. Simmons nearly got the goal he deserved but his shot was tipped over by Sedgewick. Shortly before half-time, Tapping twisted the ball into the net with his head from a Greenwell cross. Half-time: Wycombe Wanderers 5 Walthamstow Avenue 1 The first half had seen the Wanderers give no quarter. Wycombe played man for man and every member of the team put every source of energy he had into his play. In the second half Wycombe again attacked from the start and Simmons raced through on goal and would have scored had he not slipped at a most untimely moment. With just three minutes of the second half gone Wanderers scored their sixth goal of the game. From a Simmons corner Brown showed great close control and cleverly worked himself an angle in a crowd of players to fire home. He almost notched a hat-trick immediately afterwards, his terrific shot bringing Avenue goalkeeper Sedgewick to his knees. Predictably the Wanderers tired and Avenue rallied and an open but even game developed. The closing stages saw Wycombe spun more opportunities to score, and it was reported that through the opportunities created by Simmons alone, Wycombe could have doubled their score had they all been taken. It didn’t matter though; as a record Loakes Park crowd of 6,232, generating receipts of £183 9s 3d, saw the Chairboys all around brilliance win the day. Final score: Wycombe Wanderers 6 Walthamstow Avenue 1 Wycombe Team: Kipping, Crump, Cox, Rance, Badrick, Greenwell, Timberlake, Simmons, Tapping, Brown, Britnell. Scorers: Tapping 1, 11, 20, 42, Brown 23, 48 Walthamstow Avenue Team: Sedgewick, Wood, Webb, Andrews, Jenner, Oliver, Embleton, Lewis, Pulling, Vango, Lucas. Scorer: Pulling 15 Click here for memories of that game |
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