ATHENIAN LEAGUE.
Kingstonians beat Barnet in a Slow Game.

In their Athenian League match with Barnet on the Richmond-road ground on Saturday, Kingstonians were victors with a score of 2-1. Favourable weather, and the prospect of a closely-contested game, attracted a large crowd. This was the first visit of Barnet to Kingston this season, and they brought with them a good record. However, generally speaking, the game was a slow and uninteresting one.

The match began in a very desultory manner, the exchanges being fairly well divided between the teams. Soon after the start, Kingstonians kept the play near to the visitors' goal, but their attempts to score were frustrated. Barnet came near to success immediately after this, putting in some smart work near their opponents' goal, and it was only through ill-luck that no score resulted. Play was well distributed about the field, both teams making more or less spirited efforts to pierce the respective defences but failing through various causes which were sometimes difficult to understand.

The home team then were responsible for a number of threatening movements towards the Barnet goal. Nield made a good run up the field with practically no one before him, but he lost the ball through hesitating whilst making a final effort. Harry figured in several excellent attempts to score; and at another time Stentiford, after a neat piece of work, put in a stinging shot which tested the Barnet custodian, who just managed to save.

On several occasions the Barnet players almost pierced the home team's defence, but, either through misjudgment or the clever and cool play of Winyard, nothing resulted. In one endeavour Pett, the Barnet outside right, made a fine, swift dash and, beating Rollo, had only Winyard against him. It seemed that a goal was inevitable, but the shot was taken hurriedly and it went a little too wide. In such a manner the game continued until half-time was called without either side having been able to score.

A little faster pace was witnessed upon the resumption of play, and the Kingstonians were soon pressing and working in better form. There was a scrimmage almost in the Barnet goalmouth, but a man was injured and owing to this interruption the threat passed. It was very hard luck that the Kingstonians did not score from the "bounce-up" afterwards, for it was only by unusually clever tactics that the defenders succeeded in transferring play to a safer distance.

Both sides continued to make efforts to score, but the attacks were always stopped, even if perilously near the goals. Kingstonians opened their account after a vain attempt by Barnet to assume the lead. Bringing the ball down the field in excellent style, Harry centred to Stentiford, who was quite near the goal-mouth, and it was obvious that the first goal of the match was about to be obtained. It was not a clever shot, but it was of sufficient power and direction to beat the goal-keeper.

This incident did not infuse any greater keenness into the game, which jogged steadily on. Yet both teams made all they could of the chances which offered, but there was no scoring. Kingstonians' second goal was the result of a piece of swift and neat work. Henson obtained possession and came down the right wing at a smart pace. Meeting with opposition, he passed to Stentiford who centred to Harry and this player headed the ball towards the goal. The goalkeeper received it in his arms with no great sureness, and after a little fumbling he dropped it and it fell into the goal. The only point which Barnet secured came as a surprise hardly a minute before time. The visitors were harassing the home defence for a few minutes and Allen was able to send the ball into a corner of the net.
The final score was:-

KINGSTONIANS … … … .. 2
BARNET … ...... …. …. .1

The Teams were:-
Kingstonians: W.F. Winyard; F. Vivyen-Davies, B.J. Rollo; W. Millis, A.J. Yates, J. Wood; A.J. Henson, G.R. Stentiford, A.E. Harry, R.J.S. Nield, H.E. Crick.

Barnet: A.R. Green; E. King, V. Saggers; W. Skeggs, W. Allen, G. Emslie; E. Pett, E. Watkins, E. Savage, M.V. Lawson, S. Hill.

Referee: Mr J.A.J. Dunn (Catford.)

Report from Surrey Comet dated 17 Mar 1920- see report in original format.

Additional report from Surrey Advertiser dated 17 Mar 1920.