SURREY JUNIOR CHALLENGE CUP.-SEMI-FINAL TIE.
KINGSTON-ON-THAMES V. OLD LONDONIANS.-
This tie was played at Streatham hill on Saturday. The ground though dry was heavy, while the arrangements generally were of a very unsatisfactory nature. Lanham won the toss, and the Old Boys kicked off.

After one or two exchanges between the halves the Old Boys' inside right had an opening, but did not avail himself of it, giving the ball to the centre, who was cleverly robbed by Short, and play was transferred to the other end, when the visitors forced a corner, which Baker shot over. Keeping up the pressure for a time, Ocock, Vincent, and Foster had hard lines in not scoring.

The Old Boys broke away, but Tully and Fagan stopped the rush, the latter sending the ball well up, where Vincent had hard lines in not scoring. From the goal kick, the Old 'Uns got down, and Baker was hurt, the inside left getting his foot into Baker's pocket. Londonians pressed, but Short saved, and a neat combined run by Foster, Vincent, and Ocock got the ball to the other end, where it remained for some time.

The Old Boys' right wing broke away, and Lanham made a clever save. Following this, A. Short executed a good run, and Kingston pressed again, off-side against Foster relieving. From a free in midfield, Londonians broke away, Lanham saving brilliantly. Vincent, from a pass by Foster, got away, and had a near shave, a corner resulting, which was cleared; but Kingston again pressed, and secured another corner, which was also cleared, only to be followed by a third, which Tully sent over.

Keeping up the pressure, Vincent had hard lines, hitting the upright with a terrific shot, and from the scrum a corner was conceded, nothing resulting. A foul against the Old Boys let Kingston in, Foster striking the cross-bar with a hot shot, and another corner was conceded. This was cleared, but the Kings kept the Old Boys hemmed in, and a good shot from H. Short resulted in another corner, which was again cleared.

The Old Boys broke away, but a foul against the centre forward brought the ball back again to the other end, where it remained for a few minutes. Again getting away, a long shot was sent in, but Lanham saved well. Kemp got away, but the back saved by conceding a corner which was put behind. Still pressing, Foster made a good run, but shot over, and half-time arrived with the score sheet a blank.

Restarting the Old Boys went off with a rush, and made things lively for a few seconds, a corner eventually falling to their lot. This was well cleared, and Foster, Ocock, and Vincent got away, and forced a corner. The kick was taken by Fagan, who placed well. Kingston again pressed, and secured a second corner, which was cleared by a huge kick by the left back, and play was in midfield for a time.

Breaking away, Ocock sent in a good centre, which Foster just headed over. Not to be denied, however, Kingston kept up the pressure, and secured a corner, which Fagan placed well, and Foster headed in amidst frantic cheering and throwing up of hats and sticks by the Kingston supporters.

Kingston again broke away, and Foster once more headed over. From the goal-kick, Kemp and Short got down, but the latter was robbed by the right back in clever style, and play was transferred for a few seconds to midfield, where a foul against the Old Boys let Kingston in, but Foster made a bad mistake, and missed by inches.

Vincent followed shortly after with a teaser, but the Old Boys' goalkeeper saved brilliantly. Play was then very fast, each goal in turn being threatened, but nothing could be scored until, with three minutes to play, the Old Boys pressed, and from a throw-in close in goal, equalised amidst a scene of great excitement. The game thus ended
Kingston-on-Thames 1 goal.
Old Londonians 1 goal.

After the match the Kingston players and their friends sat down to a meat tea, Counoillor Glover occupying the chair, after which short speeches were made by several of those present, and Kingston was reached again at 8 30.

Report from Surrey Comet dated 6 March 1897- see report in original format.


SURREY JUNIOR CUP.
KINGSTON-ON-THAMES v. OLD LONDONIANS.
This postponed semi-final tie was played at Streatham Hill last Saturday, and a disappointing game resulted in a drawn match of one goal each. The ground was very badly looked after and unworthy of the occasion, that is if the Surrey junior cup is considered a thing of any consequence. There were very few spectators, the majority of whom were supporters of the Kingston club, and the standard of play throughout the match never rose above mediocrity.

Lanham won the toss, and Foster, Ocock, and Vincent were prominent during the first half for their attack on the Old Londonians' goal. Occasionally the old boys pressed, but generally speaking Kingston had most of the play, and were unfortunate in not having scored when half time arrived, several corners having fallen to their share.

The Old Londonians played a dashing game after the interval, the forwards having a fine turn of speed, and this sometimes caused the Kingston supporters no little anxiety. The defence, however, was very sound, Baker and Short playing a sterling game, and the halves were always on the alert for the incursions of the opposing forwards. Kingston, by dint of much exertion, forced a corner, which was splendidly taken by Fagan, and Foster headed it through amidst much cheering from the Kingstonians.

Subsequently Ocock narrowly missed putting a goal to his credit, the referee not being certain as to the legitimate nature of the point, giving the appeal against him. It seemed certain that there was to be no more scoring, although the game continued to be fast, but just on the call of time the old boys equalised from a throw-in close to Kingston's goal, and a draw resulted.

The Kingston team was as follows: F. C. Lanham goal; J. Baker and A. R. Short, backs; G. J. Tully, J. Fagan, and R. F. Lockett, half-backs; W. Ocock, W. Vincent, J. Kemp, H. Short, and Foster, forwards. Referee, Mr. G. W. Ailles.
These teams will re-play the match next Saturday, to deride who shall meet Chertsey in the final tie.

Report from Kingston & Surbiton News dated 6 March 1897- see report in original format.