Trowbridge, three times winners of the Wilts Professional Shield, the last occasion in 1950, when they beat Chippenham United, were convincing winners against their old rivals in last Saturday's replay. The teams had drawn 1-1 at The Firs. Until the ground cut up badly Trowbridge gave an exhibition of fast, clever and thrustful football which kept the United defence fully extended. In 20 minutes the Town had established a two-goal lead, through well-taken snap goals by Haddon and Webb - and then, in the 37th minute, disaster befell the visitors. Tackling Grimason, centre-half Hares fell heavily and injured his thigh so severely that he had to be taken off on a stretcher. He returned shortly after the interval, hobbling about on the right wing. The United rearranged their side, and for a while attacked vigorously, but Trowbridge never looked like losing their grip.
A goal in three minutes a rousing tonic for any team. And so it proved to Trowbridge. Ernie Marshall started the scoring movement with a hefty throw-in, which got the ball to Webb, and from the left-winger's well-judged centre Player-manager Haddon, with commendable coolness, neatly side-tapped the ball with his left foot past McLoughlin. So tight was the hold of the Town halves that the United attack caused little trouble, and after 20 minutes of almost incessant attacking Trowbridge scored a second goal. This movement was actually started by goalkeeper Vince, who sent a long ball well down the left, where Webb secured possession, outwitted the full-back and went through unmolested. Out came McLoughlin, but Webb hit the ball hard and low past him into the net - a grand goal and a typical Webb solo effort. United, to their credit, never despaired, and when after 31 minutes Lovesey handled the ball in the penalty area Hares scored from the spot. Six minutes later came Hares' misfortune. As he fell Grimason middled the ball, and Haddon was again on the right spot and promptly hit the ball into the net. Halftime, 3-1.
United restarted with Liddle at centre-half. Goddard at right-back. Nutt inside-right, and Hares on the right wing. Despite the disorganisation, they enjoyed long spells of attacking, though the Trowbridge defence appeared have cased up considerably. After only six minutes, however, McLoughlin failed to clear a corner with his usual efficiency, and Grimason snapped up the chance to put Trowbridge in a stronger position than ever. After this United retaliated with great vigour, and Vince made several first-class saves. Once he ran about ten yards when Johnson broke through and dived fearlessly on the forward's feet gather the ball. In another hectic melee he was knocked out, but he was very lucky when the ball hovered on the goal-line without going over. Sutherland also smothered a shot from Allen on the goal-line. Towards the end Trowbridge took up the attacking role again, and McLoughlin - who once kept goal for Cardiff against the Russian "Dynamos" - saved brilliantly at point-blank range from Haddon. In the scrimmage he was beaten by Webb, but the referee surprisingly gave a free kick against a Trowbridge player and disallowed the goal. Jack Dagg was so closely watched Tuck that he never looked really dangerous. Haddon and Webb were Trowbridge's strongest forwards, and Cyril Greenland, formerly the United, initiated many attacks clever passes. The attendance was 2,200.
Teams;
Trowbridge - Vince; Hulbert. Sutherland: Lovesev. Tuck, Marshall: Haddon, Greenland. Grimason, Hancock. Webb.
Chippenham United— McLoughlin: Liddle, Lewis; Nutt. ; Hares. Artus; Allen, Goddard. Dagg. Johnson. Elms.
Report from The Wiltshire Times
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