From a glance at the result, it would appear that Barnet & Alston were overwhelmingly superior to St Albans City and had matters all their own way. In actual fact it was not so, the truth being that right from the commencement the City’s luck was “out”.
A strong eleven was chosen to represent the Club, but two important changes had to be made. G.Edmonds, who has done so well for Watford, had promised to lead the forwards, but an injured thigh prevented him turning out and Peter Walker, the young centre-forward of the Reserves, was brought in. A.T.Walker, the late captain, was chosen to play at outside-right, but was not fit to play. C.Hepworth, therefore, made his first appearance in the team.
This game differed from the others that the Saints have lost in that they played so well and suffered so many misfortunes that they were entitled to the sympathy of everyone in their defeat. Taking advantage of moderate refereeing some of the home players developed to a high degree the art of taking the man instead of the ball and player after player on the St Albans side was laid out. The City eventually finished with nine representatives.
Owing to the similarity of colours, the City played in their old blue shirts and a large crowd, a good contingent from St Albans, saw Viscount Howick perform the ceremony of kicking off.
Reprinted from “The Herts Advertiser & St Albans Times” – 1st November 1913. |