Luton Town FC vs Hotspur (23rd Oct 1886)

The Luton Reporter -

“Luton Town v Hotspur (Wimbledon). - The Luton Town club, who were drawn against Hotspur, a noted London club, in the first round for the Association Challenge Cup Competition, played off their match on Saturday afternoon, the game taking place on their own ground at Dallow-lane. The weather was dull and the ground somewhat damp, but fortunately it remained dry while the game was in progress. The attendance was large. The match proved a very slow one, and on the whole was remarkably equal, although the Luton team had certainly the worst of the luck. The Hotspur kicked off, playing down the hill, and during the first half the ball was several times in dangerous proximity to both goals. The first point was scored by the strangers, Johnson sending the leather with a fine long shot from the left wing clean through the posts. It was only a few minutes thereafter when the ball was got upfield by Charlie Lomax, Taylor and Deacon, and after it had been centred Ellingham managed to put it through. Several hot assaults were afterwards made upon the strangers’ goal, notably a splendid shot by C. Lomax, but these were effectually repulsed by the watchfulness of the goal-keeper, who defended his charge in a most admirable manner. Numerous corners fell to both sides. After one of these the Hotspur claimed a “hand” almost directly in front of their opponents’ goal, and in the scrimmage that followed the ball was driven up and struck the cross-bar. Luton after this had twice a good chance of scoring. On one occasion when Bower and Deacon ran the ball up the field, a shot from the latter passed the post by only a foot, and on another the ball hit it and rebounded. At half-time the game was thus level, each side having obtained a goal. It was thought that after ends were changed Luton would show up better by making the play hotter, but instead of this both teams visibly fell away, and the game became slower than ever, so that for a long while after the teams had changed positions the proceedings were very uninteresting. The Luton goal was again warmly besieged , and at one time the fact of the ball striking the post only saved it. About this time a beautiful long shot from the toe of C. Lomax appeared full of hope for the local interests, but the goal-keeper was again equal to what was required of him. Bower got hold of the ball, but his effort was wide of the mark. The play did not, however, confine itself exclusively to the Luton territory. The leather travelled pretty much all over the field, and the Hotspur had once or twice quite as much to do as they could in defending their citadel. When about ten minutes or so before the call of time the ball was carried well into the Luton ground and J. Sutton for the visitors succeeded in scoring. An exciting piece of work followed in front of the Hotspur goal, which was repeatedly in great danger. Shot after shot was aimed at it, only to meet with a repulse. In a few moments afterwards the ball was again carried up the field, after being centred from the strangers right, and bobbing about on top of heads Sutton managed somehow again to get it between the posts. After this the game resumed its give and take character, nothing further being scored. The match thus ended in a win for the Hotspur by three goals to one - a result which was without doubt achieved solely by the splendid play of Hardisty at the strangers’ goal, and which the spectators showed their appreciation by a hearty cheer at the close. Teams: Luton Town: Goal, H. Boxford. Backs - D.A.N. Lomax and A. Martin. Half backs - A. Taylor, T. Lawrence and A. Barrett. Forwards - G. Deacon and J.C. Lomax, left; P. Bower, centre; E. Ellingham and E.H. Lomax, right. Hotspur: Goal - Hardisty. Backs - S.G. Landrigan and Pottinger. half backs - T. Lattimer, J.T. Garner and F. Johnson. Forwards - C. Sutton and J. Sutton, left; E. Walters, centre; J. Buckley and G. Quint, right”.

The Luton Times -

“On Saturday the match between these teams for the Tie Cup was played in the Dallow lane meadow in the presence of a large number of spectators. Unfavourable weather prevailed, rendering the ground very slippery, and in spite of every care several were frequently sprawling. The kick-off took place at 3.15 pm, the home team at once commencing, playing with good spirit, and had it not been for the exertions and skill of the Hotspur goal-keeper they would have scored several goals. When half-time was called, the teams had scored one goal each, play being slightly in favour of the Luton team. The superior strength of Hotspur now showed itself, and though Bowers, Taylor, Ellingham and the Lomax’s tried their best to get the ball away, the goal-keeper was too smart for them. The Hotspur retained their freshness much better than the home team, and attacking the Luton goal with determination scored a second goal followed on quickly with another. The home team made desperate attempts to gain another goal, but did not quite succeed, and the visitors acted on the defensive until time was called, knowing they had won the match”.