The Spartan League contest at Clarence Park gave Wycombe Wanderers the victory, but for nearly three-parts of the play it seemed likely that success would rest with St Albans City. Sympathy must, however, go out to Committee and players at adverse circumstances, which were not foreseen until on practically the eve of the match. Having solved the problem of what should compose the re-constituted side after a gap in playing history of five seasons, disappointment was experienced by two or three of the best men in the selected team standing out and the Club and the Mid Herts League should certainly pursue the matter in regard to two of them.
It appears that Gibbard and Beech have recently obtained employment at the St Albans Gas Works. Apparently this excellent concern not only supplies lighting power but is anxious to produce good football as well. Certainly one of these players would prefer to play for St Albans City, but their journey to Holywell Hill apparently carries them into the Gas Works football eleven too. The Gas Works Club representative on the Mid Herts League was informed at the meeting at the White Hart Tap two days before the Wycombe match that Gibbard was not to be played for the Gas Works eleven. Nevertheless neither appeared at Clarence Park and it was stated that they had accompanied the team to their engagement at Harpenden.
It was a delightfully fine afternoon, but far too warm for football. There was an attendance of nearly a thousand and the spectators were treated to bright, lively, open football.
Reprinted from “The Herts Advertiser & St Albans Times” – 13th September 1919. |