The Luton Reporter -
“On Saturday last the tie in the second round of the qualifying competition for the English Association Challenge Cup between Luton Town and Chesham, which ended up the previous week at Chesham in a drawn game of three goals each, was replayed in the Dallow-lane ground. The weather was of the most unfavourable nature, rain falling in drenching showers during the day. The ground was in consequence in extremely bad condition, the rain having saturated the turf and rendered it exceedingly slippery. Despite the uninviting nature of the atmospheric conditions a large crowd of spectators assembled to witness the game, indeed it seemed that at one period there could not be less than a thousand persons on the ground. The teams had been little changed since the drawn game was played, but the changes were all in favour of Luton. Messrs L.C.R. Thring, A. Taylor and D.A.N. Lomax had not been included in the team which represented Luton Town at Chesham, but these prominent players all occupied places in the home eleven on Saturday, while the visitors were deprived of the services of F. Lewis, their centre forward, who was somewhat badly injured during the progress of the first match at Chesham. The visitors were in this respect somewhat handicapped, but it would be unfair to the home team to assert that this would altogether account for the result, this being in favour of Luton by ten goals to two. The match had been announced to commence at half past two, but the late arrival of the referee prevented a start until half an hour later. Chesham had won the toss, and shortly after three o’clock Thring kicked off for the home team. The Luton forwards at once showed that they were in fine form for, although they had during the first half to play up-hill, some capital play resulted in the Chesham goal being attacked almost immediately after the commencement. Soon afterwards the ball was returned into close proximity to the home fortress, and one of the Luton players “fouled” a Chesham back, whereupon a free kick was granted to the visitors but nothing resulted. Give and take play followed, a very fine run by Narburgh and J.C. Lomax ending in a “corner” for the home eleven, while Chesham subsequently gained a similar advantage. The ball was centred but Deacon obtained possession of the sphere and ran down the field in capital style, and subsequently “passing” to Narburgh, who made a splendid shot which went just over the top of the posts. Similar tactics by the same players were afterwards pursued, though the attempt to score was frustrated by the alertness of the Chesham custodian, who was defending his charge in good style. Hereabouts some excellent play on the part of the visitors’ forwards terminated in a hot shot being made at the home fortress, but Mileman succeeded in keeping out the leather. The game was for some time now was all in favour of Luton, who obtained a corner, and made some strenuous attacks upon the Chesham uprights, but the first point in the match was scored for the visitors’ in a rather peculiar manner. A free kick for “hands” had been taken, and D.A.N. Lomax was endeavouring to keep the sphere away from the front of the Luton goal by a heavy kick, when the ball, which was soaked with the rain and was extremely slippery, flew off the side of his foot through the posts. This was the first goal registered by a Luton man for the opponents. The supporters of the Chesham team who had congregated in good numbers in one part of the ground, here set up a tremendous cheer, and continued their enthusiastic shouting for a considerable time. Things now began to look very bad for the home eleven, but the whole of the team played with pluck and determination and in a very short time they scored to equalise. Narburgh kicking a goal in the course of a
scrimmage. The Lutonians continued to press their opponents, and before half-time two more points were obtained, Deacon and Narburgh scoring them. This score when half time arrived was thus Luton 3 goals to Chesham 1. During the second part of the game the play was confined almost entirely to the Chesham territory and their fortress was incessantly assaulted. Goals were obtained in rapid succession, and it soon became apparent that the chances of the visitors appearing in the third round were worse than doubtful. Chesham obtained a second point in good style, while Luton added seven notches to their total, these being obtained as follows: Thring, 3; J.C. Lomax, 2; Narburgh, 1; Deacon 1. The home eleven played in capital style throughout the whole game, their tackling and passing being very fine. It would be unfair, perhaps, to particularise when all played well, but it must be stated that D.A.N. Lomax, who has not played here for some time, particularly distinguished himself among the half-backs, and it seemed that he was a host in himself. By their victory in the second round the Luton team have qualified themselves to enter the third round and they will accordingly measure themselves against the Old Brightonians on the Dallow-lane ground on Saturday next (Nov.17). The teams on Saturday were as follows - Luton: R. Mileman, goal; A. Sanders and G. Humphrey, backs; D.A.N. Lomax, A. Barrett and A.H. Taylor, half backs; L.C.R. Thring, centre; G. Deacon and E.H. Lomax, right wing; L. Narburgh and J.C. Lomax, left wing, forwards. Chesham. F. Sills, goal; A. Hobbs and A. Huggins, backs; G. Payne, J.Bryant and H. Rose, half backs; S. Harris, centre; J. Culverhouse and W. Sear, right, R. Russell and W. Brandon, left wing. The umpires were Messrs T. Bayley (Chesham) and J. Bennett (Luton), whilst the referee was Mr M.F. Batts (of the Old Harrovians).”
