ATHENIAN LEAGUE
Sensational Finish To Kingstonians v Bromley Match.

It is a trite saying among footballers that no match is lost, until it has been won, and the truth contained in this axiom was strikingly demonstrated in the Athenian League match at Richmond-road ground on Saturday between Kingstonians and Bromley. Five minutes from the close of play Bromley were leading by two goals to nil, and the two League points at stake seemed to be safely theirs. Then came the unexpected-two goals scored by the Kingstonians in the last five minutes of the match, and thus the game which at so late a period appeared to be lost to the Kingstonians was turned into a draw.

No match on the Richmond-road ground in post-war football has had such a sensational closing, nor been more pleasing to the home supporters. Harry, who secured both Kingstonians' goals, received quite an ovation. Play was fairly evenly divided, with Bromley having, on the whole, perhaps rather the better of the exchanges.

Their goal, however, probably survived more threatening episodes than did the Kingstonians goal, though this was not always due to luck, but rather to the brilliance of the Bromley defence, or to just a little erring in final judgment by the home forwards. In general Bromley played the more clever football, and from their point of view they might well regard the loss of victory as hard luck.

Kingstonians were the first to make an impression, and quite early forced a corner. Harry was again prominent in working openings for his colleagues in the front line, and from his passes Vines saved a hard shot by Nield and diverted for a corner a shot by Stentiford. Then Bromley began to get into stride, and by their smartness on the ball, their quickness in getting rid of it, and the individual cleverness of the players the Kingstonians had some difficulty in holding their own.

A splendidly placed corner was headed out by Rogers, and from a fine centre by Bellinge the ball was sent grating past the upright by Metcalfe. Brown put in a fine long shot which Taylor brought down from under the bar, and Metcalfe, following up, shot just wide. Rogers missed when an open goal faced him, and Taylor saved finely a close shot by Metcalfe.

There were occasional rushes to the other end, but Kingstonians had yet hardly found their feet, and after twenty minutes' play Bromley scored, a centre from the left wing by Mayhew giving a good opening to Savidge, who beat Taylor with a fine rising shot.

Bromley again forced play into the home half, but both Davies and Rollo were playing well, and Yates was doing excellent work in the half line, the visitors thus being kept at bay. The home forwards tried valiantly to break through, but they were up against closely-watching and persistent half-backs and two backs of exceptional ability, and consequently much mid-field play followed. Crick and Henson on the two wings took down on many occasions, but their centres were baulked again and again.

The inside forwards worked hard, and Harry shot just over the bar on two occasions, whilst a low shot of his was cleverly saved at full length by Vines. A period of close play in the Bromley goal area ended in Wood shooting over, and a similar episode at the other end closed with Metcalfe heading wide. Half-time came with Bromley leading by the only goal.

Kingstonians had the better of the exchanges during the opening stages of the second half, and, from a centre by Henson, Vines saved a shot by Wood. Following some mid-field play Bromley's right, wing took to the other end, and, after some pressure by the visitors, a long shot by Metcalfe ended in Bromley's second goal. Taylor hooked the ball down, but before he could clear Rogers was on the ball and scored easily.

The Kingstonian forwards from now onwards showed to rather better advantage, and several of their efforts really deserved success. A long shot by Stentiford was saved under the bar by Vines, who cleared to the wing where Crick received and sent in a stinging shot which hit the cross-bar. At the other end a narrow escape befel the home goal, Taylor lying on the ball in the midst of a crowd of players. A little later Rollo headed out for a corner.

From a free kick the home forwards got close in, and a neat pass by Nield gave an opening to Harry who shot well, Vines at full length tipping the ball round the post. Harry again had hard luck with a shot which Vines diverted over the bar, and Millis also shot just wide.

For the remainder of the game play was mostly in mid-field, and the pace slackened. Probably Bromley, thinking they had the game well in hand, relaxed their efforts somewhat; nevertheless with only five minutes remaining they seemed the certain victors. Then came the surprise. Receiving well forward from Wood, Harry sent in a splendid shot which completely beat Vines. Straight from the re-start Crick took down on the wing, centred finely, and Harry flashed the ball into the net. Again the Kingstonians attacked, but very soon "time" closed the game. Final score:-

KINGSTONIANS...................... 2
BROMLEY................................. 2

The teams were :-
Kingstonians: Taylor: F. Vivyen-Davies and B. J. Rollo; W. Millis, A. J. Yates and J. Wood; A. .J. Henson, G. R. Stentiford, A. E. Harry, R. J. S. Nield and H. E. Crick.
Bromley : E. Vines; W. A. Warren and E. E. Mockford; A. M. Kennard, W. E. Brown and E. A. R. Hewitt; C. Bellinge, S. J. Savidge, R. J. Metcalfe, E. W. Rogers and H. J. Mahew.

Report from Surrey Comet dated 10 Mar 1920- see report in original format.


In view of the record held by Bromley it was quite recognised by the Kingstonians that in meeting the Athenian League leaders they were up against a stiff proposition. And so it proved. By forcing a draw the Kingston team surprised the amateur football world quite as much as they surprised the Bromley team by getting the two equalising goals in the last five minutes of the match.

It was quite an exciting finish, and not unnaturally gave intense pleasure to the home supporters who, after the two brilliant goals had been obtained by dashing forward play, wished the game had a little longer to go. Visions of victory!

But, all things considered, the Kingstonians may be well contented with, and find pride in, the result. Probably the Bromley men are, metaphorically speaking, flogging themselves for feeling safe with their two goal lead and, in the last stage of the game, relaxing their efforts somewhat. Most people who saw the match will agree that Bromley gave the cleverer display of football, but it is not always that the most scientific-playing side wins, and if the Kingstonians had had a little more luck in earlier goal-getting efforts, victory might have been theirs.

Taylor kept goal exceedingly well for the Kingstonians, but compared to Vines, the Bromley Custodian, his saves occasionally lacked just that finish which tells. Thus Vines invariably tipped high shots over the bar, but Taylor more frequently "hooked" down such shots, and it was from one such attempt to clear that Bromley obtained a goal.

Both Vivyen Davies and Rollo played clean, vigorous defensive football. Of the home halves Yates was the most brilliant, and did splendid work, but neither Wood nor Millis could effectively hold the Bromley wing men, though neither ceded anything for lack of trying.

The forwards, faced by exceedingly smart defenders, both halves and backs, found it extremely difficult to get going, and the heavy ground was not altogether to their advantage. Harry again led the line well, and only brilliant goalkeeping by Vines prevented him scoring earlier than he did. Harry knows where the goal is, and also keeps his partners in mind when in that area.

Nield and Stentiford both worked hard and did well, but the wing men were not allowed many chances, though Henson and Crick got in many good centres, one from Crick leading to the second goal.
Bromley were well served in all positions. Collectively and individually their play was exceedingly smart and clever. Metcalfe in the centre, Bellinge and Mayhew on the wings, and Kennard in the half-line were conspicuous for much that was especially good.

Altogether the match was a very pleasant one, vigorous but clean, and on spite of the rain was evidently enjoyed by the large crowd of spectators.

Notes on the game from Surrey Comet dated 10 Mar 1920- see report in original format.

Additional report from Surrey Advertiser dated 10 Mar 1920.

Additional report from Bromley Times dated 12 Mar 1920.

Additional report from Bromley Mercury dates 12 Mar 1920.