SURREY CHARITY SHIELD.
Kingstonians and Metrogas Draw In Keenly Played Semi-Final.

The Surrey Charity Shield semi-final at Kingston on Saturday, between Kingstonians and Metrogas, provided a game of characteristic cup-tie order, ending in a draw of two goals each. It was the fourth meeting this season of the teams, the previous encounters having resulted in two wins for Kingstonians, both at home, and a win for Metrogas at home.

A keen game was, therefore, anticipated, and most certainly was the anticipation fulfilled. From start to finish play was fast and exciting, and the levelling up of the scores towards the end of the game kept up the intense interest right to the last kick. And then - is it not a little characteristic of cup ties? - there was a demonstration on the part of many spectators who had been roused to anger by incidents in the course of the game. In excellent weather the match was watched by one of the largest crowds drawn to the Richmond-road ground this season, some 2,000 people being present.

Winning the toss Metrogas elected to defend the entrance end goal. Kingstonians quickly took the ball to that part of the field, and the game was less than five minutes old when Kingstonians got a surprise goal. It came from a free kick awarded for hands on the left wing. Wood took the kick and shot straight for goal, and the ball went over the heads of the defenders and between the up-stretched hands of Steward, the Metrogas goalkeeper.

Thus encouraged Kingstonians went into the game with great vim, and had the better of the exchanges for a considerable period. Harry and Stentiford in particular made several neatly co-ordinated efforts for goals, the former several times prettily putting the ball forward to give an opening which Stentiford was quick to take. From one such movement Stentiford, from a difficult angle, shot well and the goalkeeper was lucky to tip the ball over the bar. Crick put in one or two nice centres, from one of which Henson secured in promising position, but his shot was diverted by a back for a fruitless corner.

Metrogas's right wing was the most dangerous part of the visitors' forward line, and a run by that wing ended in a corner which threatened danger to the home goal, the ball remaining in the goal-area for some minutes until at length Keen shot over. The Kingstonian halves and backs, however, were playing splendidly, and soon the home forwards were again threatening. Again from a well-judged pass by Harry, Stentiford nearly scored. Manoeuvring past the backs Stentiford was met by the goalkeeper who, however, could not clear, but Stentiford was unable to recover from the impact with the goalkeeper in time to shoot, and a back eased the situation.

Pressure by the Metrogas left brought a couple of fruitless corners, and then, at the other end, neat passing by Crick, Harry and Stentiford ended in the latter hitting the side of the net with at stinging shot. Play now went quickly from one end of the field to the other, and, from being chiefly on the defensive, Metrogas, towards the close of the half, had rather the better of the exchanges. Once Bryson nearly got through, Rollo running across the goalmouth to clear in the nick of time, and Stark had one or two shots to save. Half-time came with Kingstonians leading by the only goal scored.

The second half opening was a repetition of that of the first half- Kingstonians scoring in the first few minutes. The goal demonstrated the folly - for Metrogas in this instance - of a back dallying. Lawford, the left back, could easily have cleared a kick forward, but he dallied, and Stentiford took him by surprise, captured the ball, which from close in he sent gently across the goal-mouth and Nield scored easily. Kingstonians continued to be masters of the game, and some excellent defensive play was seen from the Metrogas backs.

During this half, it should be observed, Metrogas had only ten men. It was noticed during the first half that Buckley was apparently suffering with his left arm, and it transpired that he had sustained a dislocation. Although he tried to continue to serve his side for a time, it was obviously, impossible for him to do so, as well as foolish, although his pluck was to be admired. A splendid shot by Crick, from the wing, was ably fisted away, over the heads of players, by Steward, who also tipped over the bar from a close shot by Harry, following another well-judged centre by Crick.

Then came a lucky goal for Metrogas. The visitors were pressing on the right, but not dangerously, and a penalty kick was awarded them for a foul just inside the penalty area, from which Walker scored. It was a lucky goal, inasmuch as when the penalty was awarded there was no imminent danger to the home goal.

Again the Kingstonians attacked, and twice Nield put in hard shots- one to be saved by the goalkeeper, the other going just wide. Steward also saved shots from Harry and Stentiford, both of whom continued to make valiant efforts for goal.

As the game drew on, the pace showed some signs of telling on the Kingstonians, and the Metrogas forwards, especially Calvert, became more dangerous than they had been during the game. At length the equalising goal came- the best goal of the match. It was the culmination of a pretty combined run by the whole Metrogas front line, Simmons shooting splendidly from good range giving Stark no chance to save.

Both sides struggled hard to obtain the winning goal. The nearest approach to scoring was from a centre by Crick, Harry, from a difficult angle, shooting just over the bar. Time came with the score still:-

KINGSTONIANS :.. ... ... 2
METROGAS ... ... ... ... ...2

The game had been marred by several incidents which to many appeared other than creditable, fouls being frequent, and at the close of play there was a regrettable demonstration by spectators, which necessitated a protecting escort being formed for the safety of members of the Metrogas team. Happily, however, the demonstration soon subsided.

The teams were :-
Kingstonians: C. J. Stark: F. Vivyen-Davies and B. J. Rollo; W. Millis, C. J. Yates and J. Wood; A. J. Henson, G. R. Stentiford, A. E. Harry, R. J. S. Nield and H. E. Crick.
Metrogas: H. Steward; F. Morgan and W. Lawford; W. Keen, W. Whitmarsh and J. Simmons; C. Walker, J. Bryson, F. Calvert, J. Buckley and W. Harding.
Referee: Sergt. S. B. Woollaston, Guildford.

Report from Surrey Comet dated 3 Mar 1920- see report in original format.


Football.
Kingstonians were unfortunate in not winning their Surrey Charity Shield tie with Metrogas on Saturday. They were beyond doubt the better team and by sheer merit had by far the greater share of the exchanges and deserved to have won the match.

Metrogas certainly had only ten men during the second half, which undoubtedly was a severe handicap, but it is extremely doubtful whether the balance of play would have been materially altered had Buckley not had to leave the field on account of an injury. Right from the kick-off Kingstonians showed distinct superiority, both in attack and in defence, and during the time Metrogas had only ten men the Kingstonian forwards frequently had hard luck by reason of the offside rule operating.

Moreover, the first goal for Metrogas - from a penalty-kick - was in the nature of a gift. The offence for which the penalty was awarded certainly was not a flagrant breach of the rules, and in circumstances of the moment there was no particular danger threatening the home goal. It was not a case of a player being brought down right in front of goal when likely to score, and, all things considered, the award was very lucky for Metrogas.

The whole Kingstonian team played splendidly. Stark, who has been serving with the reserve team, did not have a lot to do on his first appearance in goal for the senior eleven, but he did well on the few occasions he was called into action. Generally, however, he did not seem to shape so well as either Warner or Winyard.
Seldom have Vivyen-Davies and Rollo given such a sound united display, both kicking cleanly and well and with judgment, whilst the understanding between the two was pleasant to watch.

Yates again was the star of the half-line and was ever a thorn in the side of the opposing forwards. Millis, too, was a hard and successful worker, and Wood gave quite a good display, showing distinct improvement.

The transferring of Stentiford from the halfback to the forward line some weeks ago has proved a most wise move, and at inside-right Stentiford is proving one of the most capable forwards of the season. The second goal was directly due to his efforts, and he went within an ace of scoring on several other occasions.
Harry's cleverness at centre-forward deserved more tangible reward than actually followed, and his opportune passes to Stentiford and Nield gave some excellent openings. Both Crick and Henson proved speedy wingers, and some good centres from them were seen.

Metrogas were admirably served by their backs and by Keen in the half-back line. The excellence of the Kingstonian halves upset the calculations of the Metrogas forwards, and the noted goal-scorer, Calvert, was watched so closely that not until towards the end of the game was anything particularly smart seen from him. Walker and Harding, the two wing men, also did well for the visitors.

The game throughout was extremely fast and keen, and the two thousand spectators had good value for their money. Certainly there were occasions when the tactics adopted by some of the Metrogas players were to be regretted, as, for instance, when Crick having beaten an opponent, the latter flung his arms round Crick's body, and "hung on."

There were other incidents, too, which need not to entered upon here, but which may be offered in explanation of the demonstration by spectators against certain of the Metrogas players at the close of the game. It should be noted by spectators, however, that such demonstrations are likely only to do harm to the home club and to cause trouble and anxiety to the officials.

Notes on the game from Surrey Comet dated 3 Mar 1920- see report in original format.

Additional report from Surrey Advertiser dated 3 Mar 1920.