F.A. CUP.
Kingstonians Outplayed at Guildford.
A 7-1 Defeat.
Visiting Guildford on Saturday, Kingstonians were defeated by 7 goals to 1. Thus did the Kingston team make an inelegant exit from the F.A. Cup competition. Although Kingstonians scored first, in the first quarter of an hour, Guildford were the winning team right from the beginning, and, but for a magnificent display of goalkeeping by Warner, there is little doubt that the home team would have run up a double figure score. Warner's work in goal was, indeed, the outstanding feature of the-match. There can be no gainsaying the fact that Kingstonians were completely out-played, both individually and collectively, and Guildford must be given the credit of having fully earned their overwhelming victory.

From the, spectators' point of view the match was a poor one. It had the regrettable feature also, of two players being ordered off- first Byrne, the Guildford outside left, and later Makepeace, the Kingston right back. The incident which led to Byrne retiring seemed, for a minute or so, likely to have unpleasant developments, a number of spectators rushing on to the field. And it must be said that the crowd, or at least the noisy element of it, displayed a spirit which, not to put too fine a point on it, was not the ideal spirit of true sportsmanship. With the two players named off the field, both teams played the one back game, and the second half developed into something of a competition of wits by the players in trying to put their opponents offside, and into a very frequent blowing of the whistle for infringements of the offside rule.

No doubt had Kingstonians been able to play the team which gained the victory over West Norwood the previous week, the result would have been far different, but they were without Rowe, Yates and Daniells. Rowe was sadly missed at centre-half, and the absence of Daniells from the forward line, owing to an injury to his leg, was particularly unfortunate. The great difference in the two teams was the excellent understanding which existed between all lines of the Guildford side, and the absence of the same quality among the Kingstonians. When it is stated, however, that Guildford have played practically the same team in every match this season, and when the weekly changes in the Kingston side are remembered the advantage which the home team had on this score may be understood.

A char-a-banc and two lorries conveyed the Kingston team and a goodly number of supporters to the County town, and there were over 2000 spectators on the town sports ground when the teams took up their positions. The loss of the toss put Kingstonians at a temporary disadvantage in having to face the sun, which, for the first quarter of an hour or so, was bright. Right from the early stages of the game it was evident that Kingstonians were up against a team which was quick in every movement, clever in its individual members, and capable of effective combination. In the early stages, Mansey, who was ever a hard trier but was watched too closely to get many opportunities, came near to scoring with a fast shot which was just a little wide.

At the other end a weak clearance by Makepeace let Jenner through, and a threatening movement ended in a corner, which was headed over. After about fifteen minutes give-and-take play the scoring was opened by Kingstonians. It was something of a "gift" goal, although the movement leading up to it was excellent play. Wright took up from midfield to near the corner flag, and, having drawn the backs, centred well to Harper, who received at comfortable shooting range and with no opponent near with the exception of the goalkeeper. Such opportunities have been missed, but Harper made no mistake. This was the only occasion in the whole match that a Kingston forward was left to receive such an opening.

Guildford came near to scoring in several praiseworthy efforts, and at length some hesitation by the Kingstonian backs, when a clearance might easily have been effected, let Jenner through, and he scored from close range, Warner having no chance with the shot. A penalty kick for a foul gave Guildford the lead, Castle taking the shot well. It was shortly after this that the friction arose which led to Byrne being ordered off, but with ten men, aided by the one-back game, the home team more than held their own, and before the interval Castle nipped between the Kingstonian backs and scored again a rather easy goal. Just before half-time, when Guildford led 3-1, Makepeace was ordered off.

In the second half Guildford had matters pretty much their own way, but the game was completely spoiled by the frequent stoppages for the offside infringement- both sides playing only one back. The temptation on the part of the Kingstonians to keep to the centre of the field and rely largely upon the offside rule resulted in many openings being taken by the Guildford forwards. The outstanding feature of the half was Warner's play in goal. Time and again he advanced a step or two and took the ball from off the toes of his opponents, or jumped high and punched the ball from over their heads, and was equally efficient in stopping fast shots whether high or low. He could not in any way be blamed for the further goals which were scored against him by Jenner, Mills and Castle in the order named.

Towards the close Kingstonians, particularly Mansey and Wilson, made strong efforts to reduce the margin of score against them, but without result.
The teams were:-
Guildford: J. Tilbury; A. Stevenson and E. Bartlemeh; J. Ede, H. S. Gowan and D. Fare; A. Grove, M. Mills, W. Jenner, S. Castle and L. Byrne.
Kingstonians: C. Warner; F. W. Makepeace and H. Gibson; C. R. Stentiford, Ashton and J. Woods; W.J. Wright, C. R. Harper. H. Mansey, E. E. Lane, and T. R. Wilson.

Report from Surrey Comet dated 15 Oct 1919- see report in original format.

Additional report from Surrey Advertiser dated 15 Oct 1919.