LONDON SENIOR CUP.
Kingstonians Make Metrogas Dip their colours.
A splendid victory was gained by Kingstonians on Saturday when, playing at home, they beat Metrogas in the fifth qualifying round of the London Senior Cup competition by two goals to nil. It is their most notable performance so far, and, continuing as it does a series of praiseworthy accomplishments, is most encouraging. The encounter drew another large "gate," and again the spectators were provided with a fast, exhilarating and eventful exhibition of football.

There were three changes in the Kingstonians' team. Inseal was replaced at right back by Capt. F. Vivyen-Davies, who last week was playing for the Spurs' reserves, and whose sound, clean and stylish defence created a most favourable impression. Stentiford, having recovered from the injury to his leg, resumed his place at right half, vice Millis, and in consequence of Daniells coming in to partner Crick on the left, Tripp was transferred to inside right in place of Henson. Metrogas were at full strength, with the exception that their centre-forward and most prolific goal-getter, Calvert, was absent.

Reviewing the game throughout, there was probably more play in the Kingstonians than the visitors half, although, apart from the two goals scored, incidents which gave promise of goals were in greater number to credit of the Kingstonians. For some time after the start the balance of play was in favour of Metrogas. The home forwards adopted a pleasing, open style, swinging the ball from one side of the line to the other, but in the early stages many movements which promised well were spoiled by intended passes being put forward too far. As the game wore on, however, a better understanding in the re-arranged front line became apparent.

It was evident that visitors were out to sieze an advantage as early as they could, and in the first quarter of an hour the cross-bar of the home goal was twice shaken- once from a header by Buckley, and again from a fine shot by Devlin. Vivyen-Davies interposed near the home goal in several situations which looked decidedly threatening, and Warner made two brilliant saves, that from a fast shot by Keen which he diverted over the bar, particularly being meritorious.

Crick, who played perhaps his best game of the season, made several efforts on the left wing, and Harry, heading forward a centre from the right, went very near to scoring, Stewart gathering the ball in the nick of time. About twenty-minutes had passed when the first goal was scored. Wright dashed away on the wing and shot well, Stewart punching the ball out for a corner. The kick was placed splendidly by Crick, and, after the custodian had once saved, Stentiford netted the ball.

Following this, the exchanges were fairly even, but the Metrogas goal had two very narrow escapes. Daniells once getting right through and shooting just over the bar, and again, from a centre by Wright, putting over from close in after Stewart had cleared. Towards the end of the first half Metrogas again pressed, but the interval came without further scoring.

The second half was only five minutes old when the Kingstonians strengthened their position. The visitors were about to take the offensive, but Stentiford tackled in timely fashion and put forward to Harry. This latter player, in a splendid run practically from the half way line, out-distanced the backs and beat the goal keeper with a hard shot. It was an excellent goal.

Then followed an anxious time for the Kingston defence, the visiting forwards, well supported by the half-backs, attacking vigorously. Warner had several shots to meet, but he always was equal to the occasion. Generally, however, the efforts of the Metrogas forwards lacked finish, and, although the home half-backs and backs were kept busy, they were masters of the situation. At the other end Tripp, Daniells and Wright all very nearly scored, but the narrowest. escape the Metrogas goal had was as the result of a run by the home forwards in which Crick was the leading figure.

Stewart saved short-distance shots from Harry and Crick, and then, in quick. succession, Crick twice hit the upright with stinging shots when the goal keeper was well beaten. It was the hardest of luck for Crick that his efforts did not succeed, and an extremely fortunate escape for Metrogas. Kingstonians continued on the offensive for a period but were frequently pulled up for offside. Metrogas, although obviously beaten now, made a number of spirited efforts to reduce the margin of defeat, and Warner was applauded for several fine saves. After being for a considerable period on the defensive Kingstonians were again returning, in promising style, to the attack, when the whistle blew for time, the score being:

Kingstonians … … ... 2
Metrogas … … …0

The teams were: Kingstonians: C. J. Warner; F. Vivyen Davies and B. J. Rollo;
C. R. Stentiford, A. J. Yates and J. Wood; W. J. Wright,, G. W. Tripp, A .E. Harry, H.W. Daniells and H. E. Crick.
Metrogas: J. Stewart ; F. Morgan and W. Lawford; W. Keen, R. Pestell and - W. Twilley; F. Devlin, J. Bryson, J. W. Whitmarsh, J. Buckley and W. Harding.

Report from Surrey Comet dated 24 Dec 1919- see report in original format.

Additional report from Surrey Advertiser dated 24 Dec 1919.