Poole Town, whose surprise win at Trowbridge towards the end of last season did much to rob Trowbridge Town of the Western League championship, were decisively beaten by 5-2 on the Frome Road enclosure last Saturday. The Town thus avenged a 2-1 defeat Poole, and kept their unbeaten home record in this league. Hours of rain gave the pitch the appearance of a country farmyard, yet despite such atrocious playing conditions the teams played surprisingly good football. Poole were without their captain, full back Foster, who had played for the Western League against the Metropolitan League on this ground recently. Trowbridge gave "Bill" Lovesey a welcome, for he was playing his first league game since Nov. 18th last, when he tore ligament at Yeovil. It looked as though his return was short-lived when he went down in agony just before the interval after a robust tackle. He was carried off, but after medical attention he returned to complete the second half. He had played a great game until his injury.
The Trowbridge forwards, with Abrahams, Webb and Haddon in form, looked potential scorers every time the ball came their way, and goals must have come quickly but for the remarkably fine anticipation of 16 years old goalkeeper Hewitt - a sparkling example of an old head on young shoulders. Twice Hewitt saved from Haddon, the second shot knocking him down. Then he tipped over a difficult shot from Sutherland. Poole's attack was often foiled by well-judged tackles, in which Tuck. Hansford and Lovesey were very effective. What a grand example of physical fitness Jesse Hansford is, for by record has reached the "veteran" stage. Yet there was no better defender on either side and none more fit when the game ended, and it may be recalled that had a gruelling 90 minutes against Swindon Town's league players only three days previously.
UNUSUAL PENALTY
Poole went near when Vince touched a shot by Holloway against an upright and out for a corner. After half-an-hour Trowbridge went ahead in unusual manner. A long ball was chased by Dagg and goalkeeper Hewitt, and both fell on the ball in the penalty area. As Dagg extricated himself and was rising, Hewitt pulled him down, and referee Fox immediately awarded a penalty kick, from which Haddon scored. Five minutes later Abrahams worked the ball out to the left, centred and Dagg headed a second goal, the ball going in off an upright. After 40 minutes Trowbridge were three up, Dagg heading another good goal from a corner taken by Webb. Trowbridge led 3-0 at the interval.
Early in the second half Holloway again had bad luck when a shot struck the crossbar. Langley heading over from the rebound. Trowbridge were soon attacking and after six minutes play Dagg passed the ball inside to Abrahams, who calmly ran on and scored - again the ball glanced into the net off the foot of an upright. Dagg was injured, and went on the right wing and Grimason centre forward. Haddon got clear of the backs but shot wide. After 65 minutes Dagg, although appearing to start from an offside position, was allowed to go on and score Trowbridge's fifth, and his third goal. Poole staged a revival after this however, and scored twice. The scorer on both occasions was Langley, the second resulting from a grand sole run and terrific drive which gave Vince no chance of saving. The attendance was 1,300.
Trowbridge: Vince; Sutherland, Welch; Lovesey, Tuck, Hansford; Haddon, Grimason, Dagg, Abrahams, Webb
Report from The Wiltshire Times
|