Although Trowbridge Town, holders of the Wiltshire Professional Shield, failed to repeat their exciting victory over Swindon Town in this season's semi-final at Trowbridge on Wednesday afternoon, they gave a highly creditable display against the English League side and were only defeated by two goals to one. Swindon, who were short only of Uprichard (goal) and Owen (centre-forward), both injured, from the team which did duty at Plymouth last Saturday, deserved the victory. They used the ball with a minimum of energy, and intelligently, and there were occasions when the Trowbridge goal was very lucky to escape downfall. On the other hand, the Trowbridge forwards, had they been just a little faster to the ball, might well have scored more than one goal.
On a very soggy pitch Trowbridge held an early advantage, Haddon narrowly missing after good approach work by Grimason and Abrahams. The latter, with his clever ball control, was the main source of worry to Swindon defence, although Haddon and Webb caused a lot of trouble on the wings. Swindon's forwards found Tuck big obstacle, and Lovesey, making his first appearance since his leg injury last November, played a grand game, but credit must be given to all the home defence, who tackled tenaciously and gave their opponents little time for "gallery" play. A special word of praise for veteran Jesse Hansford. Onslow had bad luck when he headed against the crossbar, and from the rebound Vince threw himself across his goal as Peart shot for a corner. Millar was brilliantly robbed by Welch after he had dribbled the ball to within few yards of Vince.
At half-time the score sheet was blank, but within ten minutes of the second half Peart and Onslow had put Swindon two up, Vince being knocked out in his effort to prevent the second of these goals. Then came an exciting Trowbridge revival in which Webb and Haddon shone, the latter scoring a great goal after 22 minutes from a free kick perfectly placed by Webb. Ivor Compton, deputising for Dagg, went near with a header. A shot by Lunn for Swindon was kept out by the crossbar, and Vince saved at close range from Peart.
The attendance was over 2,000. Among the spectators was Lew Bradford, the former Trowbridge captain, now with Bath City. To Mr. Norman Taylor, of Westbury Leigh, congratulations on his model refereeing.
Teams: Trowbridge - Vince; Sutherland. Welch; Lovesey, Tuck. Hansford; Haddon. Grimason, Compton. Abrahams. Webb.
Swindon Town - Burton; Foxton, May; Kaye, Hudson. Batchelor; Lunn. Onslow, Peart. Millar. Bain. Referee: Mr. N. C. Taylor, Westbury Leigh
Report from The Wiltshire Times
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