KINGSTON-ON-THAMES v. EAST MOLESEY.-
This, the opening match of the season of the Molesey F.C., was played on Hampton Court-green on Saturday. There was a large company present, including a numerous contingent from Kingston, and the greatest interest was taken in the match. Kick-off was announced for 3.30, but owing to a delay in the arrival of the visiting team the start did not take place till 3 55.

Both sides played strong teams, the Molesey club giving a trial to two members (Letts and War) of the Rangers, which club has just ceased to exist. Molesey won the toss and defended the Hampton Court end. Kingston kicked off and Ocock quickly got away and centred, but the ball went ever. From the kick-off play was soon in the visitors' half, and several efforts were made to get through, but Syrett was able to save.

The play now became very fast, the ball going quickly from one end of the ground to the others, but the defence on both sides was good; the backs, Dobby for Molesey and Morfett for the visitors, especially showing good form. Kingston here got a corner, but Dobby was quickly on the ball, McDavid got it back and a goal seemed likely, but Sergeant very nicely prevented it.

Naylor and Quintin by some good passing soon got the ball to the other end, but Morfett quickly returned. After some play in the centre Kemp got it away and a corner resulted, but nothing came of it. Play was quiet for some time until Kemp passing the ball to McDavid, a goal was obtained for Kingston.

The home team now made efforts to get on terms, some good play being shown by Brett and Ward, and the former centreing right across Naylor shot the ball through, making matters even. A little later McDavid from a pass by Vincent got the ball vary nicely through. The ball was soon at the other end again and Quinton, who made a fine run, by a swift low shot scored for Molesey.

After some more good play during which Syrett came out of goal and Quintin seeing his opportunity again scored, half time soon came, the score being Molesey three goals, Kingston two.

After a good interval a restart was made, the play being in the centre for some time. Brett got away, but hands being given against him his chance was spoilt. Kingston hereabout made good efforts to score, but Cullen saved, and receiving rather a nasty kick, play had to be stopped for a time. On again starting Ocock very quickly put his side on terms again.

The game now was very fast, each side trying to score. McDavid was penalised for fouling the goal keeper. The place kick went right up the field, and Cobbett securing it got right through the defence and again gave Molesey the lead. Later on McDavid was again penalised, but in spite of strenuous efforts neither side added to the score and on time being called the game stood thus: Molesey four goals, Kingston three.

The match was very even and well contested. For the home side Cobbett, Quintin, Brett, Sergeant, and Dobby showed best form, and for the visitors Ocock, Morfett, and McDavid- the first-named playing very finely. It was a matter for remark on the ground that the home team were nearly all of them without their club colours.

Sides:-
Molesey: Cullen, goal; Letts and E. Dobby, backs; J. Wheatley, H. A. Sergeant, and F. Lockett, half-backs; Brett, Quintin, Naylor, F. Ward, and Cobbett, forwards.
Kingston: Syrett, goal; A. Short and J. Morfett, backs; Baker, Fagan, and Blackmore, half-backs; Ocock, Vincent, H. Short, Kemp, and McDavid, forwards.

During the play the referee, Mr. J. P. Asher, found it necessary to caution McDavid at least twice for foul play. Linesmen, E. T. Cobbett and F. Ansell.

With reference to the above match, Mr. C. J. Bartlett, the honorary secretary of the Kingston club, writes-: "My attention having been called to the fact that the conduct of a portion of the Kingston spectators at the match on Hampton Court-green on Saturday last v. Molesey was not all that could be desired and that their remarks were not over polite, I trust this may be the only occasion for comment and hope that the Kingston partisans will not only conduct themselves in a gentlemanly manner, but will assist generally at the club matches to keep good order, or possibly the club may fall into ill-repute, prejudicing any chance it may have of success, and rendering it liable to suspension."

Report from Surrey Comet dated 26 Sep 1896- see report in original format.



MOLESEY v. KINGSTON.
A STIFF FIGHT.
The opening match of the Molesey season was played on the home ground, at Hampton Court Green on Saturday. Considerable interest centred in the game, and fortunately the elements were propitious. Of the spectators, there were a goodly number of chiefly Molesey supporters, who were not at all shy in backing their favourites, but all followed every step of the game with keen interest. The home side was a good one, and most of them had had previous practice. The visitors had, however, played a match, and that against Ham, whom they rather easily defeated by five goals to one. Owing to the late arrival of the visiting centre, McDavid, the start was somewhat delayed, it being just upon four o'clock when the teams lined up as follows:-

Molesey. - Cullen (goal); Letts and E. Dobbey, (backs); J. Wheatley, H. Sargeant and Lockett (half-backs); Brett, Quinton, Cobbett, Naylor, and J. F. Ward (forwards).
Kingston.- T. Syrrett (goal); J. Morfett and A. Short (backs); J. Barker, J. Fagan, and A. Blackmore (halves); W. Ocock. S. Vincent, R. N. McDavid, H. Short, and J. Kemp (forwards).
Referee: Mr. J. P. Asher (Referees' Association).
Linesmen: Messrs. Cobbett (Molesey) and Ansell (Kingston).

Molesey won the toss, and decided to defend the Hampton Court end. Kingston kicked off, and Ocock at once dashed away and centred, but the ball went over the bar. From the kick-off the play was transferred into the visitors' quarters, but Syrrett kept his charge Intact. The game proved very fast, the ball travelling quickly from one end of the ground to the other, and the defence on both sides had plenty of work, but did it well. Kingston forced a corner, but Dobbey got the ball away. McDavid brought it back again, and a goal seemed probable, but his effort was frustrated by Sergeant.

Naylor and Quinton by some long passing reached the other end of the field, but Morfett, who was going strongly, quickly returned. The pace, which had been very hot, now slackened a little, and mid-field play became the order. Kemp got hold of the ball, and took his way down his wing, forcing Dobbey to concede a corner, which was made little use of. At this part of the game Kingston seemed to have the most go in them, and made repeated runs into the home quarter, but could do nothing definite, until Kemp, after a pretty effort, passed the ball to McDavid, who drew first blood for his side, putting the ball right out of Cullen's reach.

This seemed to rally the Kingston front rank more than ever, and they again made their way down the field, but this time Sergeant stopped their little game, and the home right wing obtaining possession made tracks up the field, and from a free-kick for hands Baker landed the ball right into the mouth of goal, and McDavid headed, missing the mark by inches only. The home team now played up with more energy, and some good play was seen on the right wing by Brett and Ward, the former centreing right across. Naylor was well up and made matters even by beating Syrrett.

Several bits of good tackling were seen by the home halves and backs, but Vincent at last got through, and he passing to Mc David, that player gave Cullen no earthly chance, and once more the Kingston supporters saw their favourites lead. This seemed to put Molesey on their mettle and they made desperate efforts to get on even terms. Quinton had a try on his own account, and a successful one it was, too, for he outstripped his opponents and finished up a single-handed run with a swift low shot, which took effect.

This seemed to put new life into the team, and Molesey now had In the best of matters. Corbett caused Syrrett to concede a corner, which, however, was not made full use of. By a pretty piece of combination the home right wingers got by the opponents backs, and Syrrett made a serious mistake by coming out of goal, giving Quinton an opportunity which he quickly made use of, and Molesey gained the lead for the first time during the game. This was the signal for loud applause from the many home supporters. Kingston made a short spurt, and the referee awarded a foul for them in the home goalmouth, but nothing resulted, and half-time was sounded with the score
Molesey…. 3 goals.
Kingston…. 2 goals.

Play was confined to mid-field for a considerable time after the restart, until Brett obtained possession and quickly got away, but "hands" spoiled his chance at scoring. Kingston made several efforts to get on an equal footing, and Cullen brought off some good saves, but had the misfortune to have a severe kick on the knee-cap, so that the game had to be stopped for a short time. Directly after the ball was started Ocock put his side on terms of equality.

The game was now very keen, both sides striving hard to obtain a lead. The Molesey front line came down, but Morfett and Short successfully relieved the pressure by huge kicks, and the Kingston quintet had a look in, and seemed as if they would score, but McDavid was penalised for fouling the goal keeper, and the place-kick was put well up the field, Corbett securing, went right through the visiting defence, and again gave Molesey the lead. The homesters were still in evidence, having "hands" in their opponents quarters, but the ball went behind.

Directly after Quinton had a run, and passed to Brett, but that player was off-side. By the good play of Kemp and Short, Kingston had a look in, and kept up a steady pressure for some time, but could not score. Ocock and Vincent each putting the ball behind. McDavid was again penalized, and then Ocock took the ball well up, and Molesey had to concede a corner, which was, however, badly placed, and Lockett passed on to Naylor, who visited the other end, but was robbed by Morfett. Sergeant quickly returned the ball, and Molesey gained a corner, which was nicely placed, but the attack was successfully repelled by the visiting backs, and McDavid had a strong run, and caused the home custodian to save twice in succession. The Kingstonians now were having the better of the play, but could not get the ball through, and time came with the score
Molesey…. 4 goals.
Kingston… 3 goals.

The game had been a very keenly contested one, and with one or two exceptions had been played in a most sportsmanlike manner. Molesey were a trifle lucky in winning for the play was very even, and a draw would have been a better representation of the game. Dobbey was the best of the home backs, but Sergeant was the shining light of the defence, whilst Quinton, Cobbett and Brett did best in the forward rank. The Kingston backs are a very safe pair, Morfett especially being a tower of strength to his team. Ocock and McDavid were the best of the forwards. The visitors, however, lost the game on account of their goal keeper, who was sadly off colour.

Report from Surrey Advertiser dated 23 Sep 1896- see report in original format.


The meeting of the Kingston-on-Thames and Molesey Association teams, on Saturday, on Hampton Court-green, attracted a large attendance, who were rewarded by witnessing some capital football. The home team were well represented, while the visitors played nearly the same team that defeated Ham on the previous Saturday. McDavid opened the score for Kingston early in the game, but by half-time Molesey had taken the lead by three to two. One more goal each in the second half was all the scoring, and Molesey thus won by four to three, a result of which Kingston may well feel satisfied, as with a more experienced goalkeeper it should at least have been a drawn game. Syrett should use his hands more and not rely so much upon his feet, an error of judgment that proved fatal to his side on Saturday. Molesey were the stronger forward, but the defence of Kingston, excepting the weakness in goal, was superior. The game was fast throughout.

Notes from Surrey Comet dated 26 Sep 1896- see report in original format.