The Luton Reporter -
“On Saturday last the ties in the third round of the qualifying contest for the English Cup were decided, and at the end the number of clubs engaged was reduced to a score. Luton Town had been drawn against Norwich C.E.Y.M.S. and had been fortunate enough to obtain choice of grounds. It had been rumoured that the strangers would not undertake the long journey from the East, but these prognostications were falsified by last week’s definite announcement that the team would arrive in Strawopolis on Friday night. They fulfilled the engagement and stayed in the town overnight. The morning of the important encounter was fair, but just at the time announced for play to commence rain began to fall heavily and for the greater part of the period during which play took place the rain storm swept the ground. This served nor only to seriously interfere with the comfort of the couple of thousand enthusiasts who lined the ropes, but it had the effect of rendering the ground slippery and treacherous. From the point of view of the visiting eleven, however, there was distinct set-off, for the downfall caused a general rush for seats in the pavilion and thus swelled the receipts, which in the end amounted to well-nigh £40.
At the time arranged the referee (Mr. A. Roston Bourke) made his appearance on the scene of the operations, and he was rapidly followed by the following elevens :—Luton Town : Goal, E. Bee ; backs, W. Chesher and J. Wilson ; half-backs, A. H. Taylor, J. W. Julian (capt.), and R. Vickers ; forwards, J. Dimmock and F. Allen (left), H. Galbraith (centre), J. Finlayson and W. Brown (right). Norwich : Goal, G. S. Burleigh ; backs, E. W. Bewby and G. L. Horne ; half-backs, R. Webster (capt.), J. Coleby, and P. Looker ; forwards, F. Dains and H. Amos (left), F. Snelling (centre), A. Clarke and J. C. Nutchey (right). The linesmen were : Messrs. J. H. Hackett (Luton) and C. Palmer (Norwich). The C.E.Y.M.S., who lost choice of positions, played in red while the Lutonians were well-nigh unrecognisable in white. The homesters had the advantage of the wind and were not slow to utilise it, for from the start they made their way into the opposition quarters. A free kick for hands was awarded against the Norwich men, and a little later something more substantial was secured, for from a pass by Dimmock, Finlayson sent the ball into the net. A corner against the visitors was unproductive, and then Luton’s cup tie bad luck asserted itself, Galbraith being kicked and forced to leave the field. Julian was conspicuous during an attack by the strangers, and hands against Luton followed. Galbraith resumed, but a few moments later he was kicked on the head and compelled to again retire, his absence this time being considerably more lengthy. The Norwich representatives got away once, but a foul against them stopped their progress. The Lutonians, though a man short, played a determined game and the Norwich defence was sorely taxed. On several occasions the downfall of the adversaries’ goal seemed imminent, but it was continuously averted. Hands against Luton near goal appeared dangerous, but the ball was sent over the bar. One of the Norwich players was cautioned by the referee, and this was followed by a corner to the home combination. The Norwich goal-keeper, who had been displaying remarkable ability in spite of a physical infirmity, was tempted from his post and the homesters took advantage of this by putting on a second notch. Hands against Luton was succeeded by Chesher making a bad mistake, but Taylor came to the rescue in admirable fashion. Minor points were gained by either side, and then Burleigh saved splendidly two shots in rapid succession. The Lutonians added a third point as the result of some excellent combined play. After the visitors had visited the Luton end once or twice their outside right man tested Bee’s ability with a capital attempt. Dimmock was pulled up twice for getting off-side, and Wilson put himself in evidence. The Norwich centre man was cautioned, and thereafter Finlayson narrowly missed scoring, while that player was subsequently spoken to by the referee. Towards the end of the first half the homesters put on a fourth notch,. This being obtained after some excellent all-round play. When the interval arrived the score stood as follows :—Luton, 4 ; Norwich, 0. In the second portion the homesters started with 10 men, and it was feared by some that Galbraith would not be able to resume, but these anticipations were proved incorrect by that player making his appearance a couple of minutes after the resumption. Allen and Dimmock gave a capital exhibition of passing, but the ball went into touch. Burleigh saved magnificently, and then Brown sent over the cross-bar. The same player troubled Burleigh with a splendid shot a minute later, and the Norwich keeper behaved excellently. Galbraith shot over the top, but he had been off-side and was penalised accordingly. Allen made use of an opportunity near the Norwich line, and scored when this seemed next to impossible. Galbraith missed an apparently easy chance close in goal, and thereafter the Lutonians, who continued to have the best of matters, came down in strong force, but Burleigh effected some marvellous saves. Until the end the leaders continued to have by far the best of matters, but they were unable to add further to the total ; and when the time came for the cessation of hostilities the locals had qualified for the divisional final by five goals to one. It cannot be said that the game was in any degree a great one. The calibre of the visitors had been very much over-rated, and they never appeared very dangerous. Their style of play formed a singular contrast to that of the Luton men, though it should be added that the home contingent were scarcely seen at their best. The unfortunate injury to Galbraith undoubtedly adversely affected the Luton attack, and it is certain that had it not been for this drawback the straw town representatives would have piled up several more points. It is not necessary to select any individual on the Luton side for special commendation, but—though it may savour somewhat of the common place—it should be said that the exhibition of goal-keeping by Burleigh was among the finest ever witnessed on the ground. Considering the disability under which he laboured his services were really magnificent.
The Sherwood Foresters succeeded in defeating Wolverton on the ground of the latter by three goals to one, and it will accordingly be necessary for the Lutonians to meet them in the final round of the division.”
