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Football
Greg Cup Competition
Buntingford v. Hitchin Imps
A good deal of talk about Thorogood's form during recent matches has been exploded by the excellent game he put up on Easter Monday, when the Town met Hitchin Imps in the final of the Greg Cup competition, at Royston.
The weather conditions were ideal, and there was a gate of over 700, some 200 supporters of the Fords' journeying from Buntingford by charabanc, motor car, motor cycle and cycle.
It is perhaps not generally known that the handsome silver cup for this competition was given by the late Mr T.T. Greg, of Coles, in 1910.
The ground conditions were fairly good, and there was no advantage from winning the toss as there was no wind. On the run of the play Buntingford should have won, but it happened that Thorogood and R. Moule saved the game at a time when the supporters of the Imps were mustering round the platform, from which the cup was to be presented.
The last five minutes was more thrilling than the remainder of the match. Through the ineffectiveness of Hatchett, who it must be admitted, is nothing like his former self on the field, the Imps were leading by two clear goals when Thorogood ran through to score a splendid goal.
Although the spectators were heartened by this turn of events, there appeared little hope of any further goals, and the Buntingford players and supporters consoled themselves on the fact that it was better to lose 4-3 than 4-2. With the players waiting for the final whistle, the ball when out to E. Moule, who should really have been receiving attention off the field - so badly did he get kicked. He took the ball up the right wing, and running in, smashed it into the far corner of the net.
Spectators ran onto the field and congratulated him, and the crowd on all sides were full of enthusiasm and excitement - four goals all, and two minutes to play!
It has been claimed that if the forwards scored a goal away from home, they could not be blamed for losing the game; the onus was then upon the defence. Similarly however, it should be claimed for the defence that if they keep out the visiting forwards the onus for success rests with the forwards.
They had, however, no reason for urging their claim on Monday, for on the whole the Imps' forwards mastered the two defence, their right wing putting in some excellent work. Reed, in the town goal, played his usual game, and it was through no fault of his that four goals were scored against his side; two of the goals were from the penalty spot, one Hatchett inadvertently kicked through his own goal in a desperate attempt to clear, and the other was headed through by Pledger when he jumped to a high ball.
In the half-back line, Howlett played well, but he was too well covered to be very effective. Birkett shone at times, but Rayment who came into his brother's position seemed rather nervous, owing perhaps to the fact that he had an excellent man against him. It could not be said that that the line as a whole were masters of midfield.
Of the forwards E. Moule was easily the best. He was too speedy for the opposition and showed really fine control. Much of his success was due to Thorogood who supplied him with some good passes. Little fault could be found with the rest of the forwards - W. and H. May and Pledger - they often had the Imps goal in danger and a little more luck with some of their shots would have won their side the honours of the game.
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Other Football Results
Good Friday - Buntingford 5 v. North Road 1.
Saturday - Buntingford 3 v. Walsworth 3.
Easter Monday - Buntingford 2 v. Wellington Athletic 7.
