SURREY JUNIOR CUP. KINGSTON-ON-THAMES v. BANSTEAD
A good assemblage of spectators witnessed this match on the Rugby Ground, and were rewarded by seeing a fast and exciting game. Banstead put in an early appearance, whereas when the official signal to line up was sounded the home team was without its full complement, but when the kick-off was ordered the players contrived to scramble into their respective places.

Tully having won the toss, elected to take advantage of the elements, and deputed Banstead to defend the Barracks goal. Having kicked off the visitors soon initiated an attack upon the home goal, and almost immediately placed behind. The pressure was maintained for a short period till Richards cleared and enabled Foster to make headway without anything definite resulting. A huge kick speedily transferred play, and the Banstead forwards broke clean away, an almost certain goal being lost by a stumble on the part of the player about to shoot.

The resulting corner proved abortive and the visitors continued to have the best of the game, brought about mainly by superior weight and a better understanding amongst themselves. Some time elapsed before the "Kings" attempted combination, and then matters went slightly in their favour. A spell of mid-field play ensued, and this led to the opposing custodian being tested - an emergency he was equal to - and again play ruled even.

Banstead then took up the attack only to be repulsed, and Foster gaining possession got away but was badly fouled when within shooting distance. A penalty kick was awarded, and McDavid was entrusted with the kick, but failed to obtain the major point. The visitors now raced away and became dangerous. Their shooting, however, was faulty, and Kingston also erred in the same direction just after. A foul throw was here penalized and King placing accurately forced the visiting custodian to use his hands, following which Andrews headed across to Foster who missed badly.

Ware was next prominent and from a pass by him "Mac" tried an unsuccessful overhead shot. Kingston kept up the pressure till at last their efforts were rewarded by Vincent scoring when close in.

The effect of this was to rouse the visitors to renewed vigour, and for some time they attacked smartly, but several chances went a begging through faulty shooting. Lanham was, however, called upon and was penalized for carrying beyond the stipulated distance. Richards relieved from a dangerous position and Kingston assumed the aggressive, Andrews and Ware trying shots, the latter's being just tipped over the bar.

From the corner kick the visitors made tracks only to be beaten back to come again from a kick against Ware for off-side. The player atoned for this later by passing splendidly to Vincent, who notched point number two from a difficult position.

Banstead again tried their luck, and twice shot feebly. Lambert and Cunliffe exhibited smartness in clearing, and Foster followed up by getting offside, the free kick for which eventually resulted in a foul charge being given against the home team.

After a short attack by Kingston, Banstead showed up prominently, their efforts leading to Lanham utilizing his hands, and King and Richards showing their true colours. Lanham was again tested and Mac and Foster sprinted away, the former finishing by shooting wide just before the whistle sounded the interval, the score then reading,
Kingston-on-Thames . . . 2goals.
Banstead Nil

The general opinion was that the lead was insufficient, and that with the sun and wind in their favour, the visitors would soon wipe off the arrears. They were not however destined to fulfil this expectation, as subsequent events proved. Kingston at once took up the running, to which the visitors replied with a similar movement, but found the backs much too smart for them, and Foster receiving from Andrews put on the pace only to see the latter fail in the final attempt, following which Ware was declared off-side.

Richards having cleared, Foster gained possession and forced a corner, and from a smart scrimmage in front of goal the ball was with difficulty got away. This led to an attack by Banstead, but Mac fastening on the sphere in mid-field dribbled through the whole defence and after a single handed effort placed a third goal to his side's credit.

On resuming, a foul charge by Kingston was penalized and Banstead forged ahead and again shot erratically. Foster retaliated with a sprint along the line, and during a scrimmage near the goal the referee failed to notice one of the visitors' backs scoop up the ball with both hands and clear, an act that eventually led to a corner. The home forwards had now thoroughly settled down and were giving an exhibition of combination that surprised both opponents and spectators alike.

Ware, however, neutralized a splendid effort by being pulled up for off-side tactics, and the visitors were allowed to come within shooting distance, ultimately testing Lanham twice, after which Ware was again penalised, Banstead thus gaining ground but shooting in execrable fashion. Foster transferred play and the visitors returned. A slight hesitation on the part of two of the home half-backs let them through and allowed them to score their only point, a success well deserved notwithstanding their erractic shooting.

This, however, led to a startling change for all the home forwards had each a shot at goal, to which Banstoad replied with a feeble effort, and after a pretty bout of passing between Vincent, Ware and Andrews, the latter sent in a stinger which the custodian did well to stop, but before he could recover himself Foster had rushed in and squeezed the ball between his legs into the net.

Following this the visitors made a spasmodic attempt to recover themselves, and Lanham had to save, the ball eventually going behind. Off-side against Foster again let his opponents in, but Richards was at home, and Mac getting possession in mid-field put in another of his characteristic dribbles, terminating with a splendid goal, an effort that earned its well-deserved applause.

Later he enticed the custodian out, and passing out to Foster, this player shot, a score being prevented almost by a miracle, after which an off-side decision and a corner were awarded Kingston, and from the latter Cunliffe put on point six.

From the kick-off Foster again shone, but Banstead cleared and made a last effort. Lanham cleared effectively and Ware repeated his off-side tactics whilst Andrews with a fast shot notched the last Point, and brought the total to seven.

After this Banstead had their work cut out in preventing a further augmentation, and during the last few minutes were almost helpless and scarcely able to raise a gallop. The final score being:

Kingston-on-Thames . . . 7 goals.
Banstead 1 goal.

The result was unexpected and came as a pleasant surprise to all, and more especially to those who have of late been cavilling at the mode of procedure adopted by the club executive. The visitors cannot be accused of being faint hearted, although at times mainly through their superior weight they forged ahead, but were met by a defence conspicuous by its stubborn opposition. They were earnest throughout but lacked effective precision in the attacking line, whilst the defence although not showing up so prominently as that of their opponents had to deal with a forward line that would have given trouble to a more powerful set of backs.

They however stuck to their posts gamely and at times exhibited a smartness commendable for its effectiveness. Criticism of the home team is needless, and the fallacious prophecies so freely circulated during the week preceding the game have received a shock from which they will not soon recover. The forward rank was splendid and during the second moiety their movements appeared almost automatic in their execution.

A slight weakness was apparent in the half-back line, of whom Lambert was the pick, but this may he accounted for by the comparison with the exceptional all round smartness displayed by the other players. Mr. Ailles refereed with distinction.
Sides:-
Kingston-on-Thames: F. Lanham, goal; C. Richards and A. King, backs; G. Tully, F. Cunliffe and S. Lambert, half-backs; L. Ware, S. Vincent, W. McDavid, E. Andrews, and E. Foster, forwards.
Banstead: E. Gilbert, goal; H. Alston and C. Ransome, backs; Daray, Taylor and Savage, half-backs; Bothwell, Wigram, James, Clarke, and N. Alston, forwards.
Linesman, A. Douglas; Referee, G. W. Allies, R.A.

Report from Surrey Comet dated 23 October 1897- see report in original format.


KINGSTON v BANSTEAD
A RUNAWAY VICTORY
This match on Saturday attracted only a fair number of onlookers to the Richmond-road enclosure, at Kingston. Mr W. Ailles was the referee, and the teams were as follows:

Kingston:- F. Lanham, goal; C. Richards and A. King, backs; G. J. Tully, E. Cunliffe and S. Lambert, half-backs; L. Ware, S. Vincent, R. N. McDavid, E. Andrews, and E. Foster, Forwards.
Banstead:- E. Gilbert, goal; J. H. Alston and C. H. Ransome, backs; O. Dahse, C. Maynard Taylor, and W. Savage, half-backs; W Bothwell, R. Wigram, W. B. James, N. D. Alston, and E. Clarke, forwards.

The Kingston captain won the toss, and elected to play up the slope. The Banstead Boys began with any amount of energy, and combining well, were soon dangerous. James came down the field at a terrific rate, but so great was his pace that he had not control over the ball, and it rolled behind. A corner was next gained, but King kicked away, and the home left wing obtaining, took the ball up to the other end of the field.

Play ruled extremely fast just now, and the ball was immediately transferred into the Kingston quarters by the Banstead right, but the efforts of the outside man was frustrated by King. The homesters were again the aggressors, but time after time Ransome proved a stumbling block to their attack. At last however, Vincent managed to get a shot in, compelling Gilbert to throw away, and the ball was sent on by the halves to the visiting forwards, who notwithstanding their tricky passing, were effectually checked by the clever tackling of Richards and King.

Foster then got well away on the left, and was in the act of shooting when he was badly tripped within the twelve yards limit. The referee awarded a penalty kick, which was taken by McDavid, who shot low and fast, but Gilbert was equal to the occasion and just touched the ball, warding off a goal.

Play still continued in the vicinity of the Banstead goal and Alston saved at the expense of a corner. This was admirably taken by King, and after a few most exciting changes Andrews headed the ball to Foster, who missed by inches only. Andrews was again conspicuous, pulling the ball most unexpectedly over his head into goal causing Filbert to punch out. Pressure was relieved by a huge kick by Ransome, but the ball was returned by Richards, and McDavid, who had been feeding his wings from the start in a most unselfish manner, passed to Vincent, and that player put in a shot, which Gilbert had no earthly chance of stopping.

Roused by this reverse the visitors made every effort to equalize. Bothwell and Wigram exhibited some clever passing on the right wing, and James shot in. Lanham caught the ball, and to elude his opponents carried it more than the prescribed distance, and was penalised. Banstead, however, failed to turn the free kick to any advantage, and Ware obtaining made tracks up the right. His effort looked like a goal, but the ball hit the post and rebounded, and the second shot which he put in skimmed the wrong side of the cross-bar.

The Banstead right had a clear field before them, but dallying about failed to utilize the opportunity, and Lambert coming up transferred the ball to the other wing. Vincent wasted no time and finished up a tricky piece of play by a low shot, which completely beat the Banstead custodian. Resuming play the visiting forwards combined well, but missed several excellent openings in front of goal, and half time shortly arrived, Kingston still leading by two goals to nil.

Midfield play was the rule for sometime at the beginning of the second moiety. Banstead were the first to assert themselves, but the home trio of halves kept them from becoming too demonstrative. Ware spoilt a nice opening for Kingston by palpably laying offside. Immediately after the free kick, McDavid obtained, and went straight away through the whole lot of his opponents. Steadying himself he put in a hot one, which cannoned off the goalkeeper's toe into the net.

The visitors now redoubled their efforts and for about 20 minutes compelled Kingston to act upon the defensive. Lanham, who up to now had been reclining in the corner of the goal net, was kept busy for a few minutes. After a clever piece of passing the right wing put into the centre, and James scored the visitors first and only point.

From now there was only one team in it and that was not Banstead. Points were quickly registered by Foster, McDavid, Cunliffe and Andrews, and at full time the score was:

Kingston… 7
Banstead… 1

Report from Surrey Advertiser dated 20 October 1897- see report in original format.


SURREY JUNIOR CHALLENGE CUP.
KINGSTON-ON-THAMES v. BANSTEAD.-
On the Richmond-road ground last Saturday these teams met in the first round of the Surrey Junior Challenge Cup. The Kingston men were greatly fancied, but it was not expected they would win by a large margin. Consequently the result, a victory for Kingston by seven goals to one, came as an agreeable surprise to the friends of the winners. The weather was fine, and the turf was in good order.

The visitors showed plenty of dash at the start and their efforts were soon rewarded with a corner, but King relieved by kicking well away. The home team then had a run up, and Gilbert had to throw the ball away. After some good work on the part of the home defence Foster had an opening to shoot, but was tripped up within the twelve yards mark. McDavid took the penalty kick, but Gilbert turned the ball aside.

The Kingston forwards soon returned to the attack, and after obtaining another corner, which proved futile, Vincent beat the Banstead keeper, a volley of cheers announcing that the home team had opened the scoring.

Lanham soon after was penalized, but nothing came of the free kick. Through waiting the visitors lost a good opening, and Lambert transferred the ball across the ground, Vincent terminating a pretty run with a second goal for Kingston, and half-time arrived with the home team leading by two goals to nil.

After the re-start midfield play lasted for some time, and then from a free kick McDavid ran through his opponents and scored off the goalkeeper's foot, giving Kingston a further lead.

This again roused the visitors and they played for all they were worth, Lanham, in goal, who had not been called on much during the game, being kept busy. At last James put the ball through for Banstead, which proved to be their first and final point, for afterwards Kingston did as they liked, obtaining further points through Foster, McDavid, Cunliffe and Andrews, and finishing up winners by seven goals to one.
Teams-
Kingston: F.C. Lanham, goal; C. Richards and A. King, Backs; G. J. Tully, F. Cunliffe, and S. Lambert, half-backs; L. Ware, S. Vincent, W. McDavid, E. Andrews and E. Foster, forwards. Banstead: E. Gilbert, goal; J. H. Alston and C. H. Ransome, backs; V. Dahse, C. Maynard, and Taylor, half-backs; W. Savage, W. Rothwell, Wigram, F. James and E. Taylor. forwards.
Referee, Mr, Ailles.

Report from Kington & Surbiton News dated 23 October 1897- see report in original format.


KINGSTON v. BANSTEAD.
Played at Kingston on Saturday. resulting in a win for Kingston by seven goals to one.
Teams:
Kingston.- Goal, F. Lanham; backs, C. Richards and A. King; half-backs, G. J. Tully, E. Cunliffe and S. Lambert; forwards, L. Were, S. Vincent, R. N. McDavid, E. Andrews and E. Foster.
Banstead.- Goal. E. Gilbert; backs, J. H. Alston and C. H. Ramsome; half-backs, O. Dahse, C. Maynard Taylor and W. Savage; forwards, W. Bothwell, R. Wigram, W. B. James, N. D. Alston and E. Clarke.

Report from West Surrey Times dated 23 October 1897- see report in original format.