The Jersey Cup

Launton: C Hazell E Reeves P Cox; W Jeacock W Freeman E Castle L Day C Massey R Massey J Cox P Turner

Launton Scorers: P. Turner 2 R. Massey 1

Wootton: Unknown

Wootton Scorers: P. Gubbins 1 Saunders 1

The annual final of the Jersey Cup on the Bicester Sports Ground on Saturday attracted a large crowd as usual, the contestants being Launton and Wootton. In view of the latter’s fine performances in recent matches, and Launton’s defeat by Steeple Aston a few weeks ago, it was not surprising that Wootton were slight favourites, and when at the interval they led by 2 – 0 the odds narrowed in their favour, although their opponents had had more of the play and the greater scoring opportunities. In the second half, however, Launton played so well as to score three times and so place their name to the long record which exists in the connection with their village and the Jersey Cup.

At the outset Launton appeared affected by the occasion and were erratic in their passing. They gradually improved, however, they gave the Wootton defence plenty to do. Despite this, Wootton scored after twelve minutes, P Gubbins giving Hazel no chance from close in. Launton were not dismayed and in the subsequent play Turner made two good attempts, but Brain, the Wootton goalkeeper, turned the ball round the post. C Massey looked a certain scorer when he went through cleverly, Brain making a weak attempt at the shot, but the ball was cleared. Against the run of the play Wootton increased their lead when they broke away from pressure on their goal, and a nice movement culminated in Saunders going through. Hazel advanced and parried the centre-forward’s shot but Saunders secured and shot into the net. Thus at the end of the first half Launton having had three parts of the play were in arrears.

Early in the second half Launton had chances to score, but a lively ball often beat their forwards. Persistency met its rewards after ten minutes, Turner receiving from C Massey to shoot hard for goal the ball entering the net off the upright. Wootton were subsequently hard pressed and R J Massey eventually equalised. There were some exciting moments as each side strove for the decider. Twice Hazel almost lost the ball in Wootton attacks, but his backs rescued him. With about three minutes to go Freeman swung the ball out to Turner, who, running in, sent the leather hard into the net to give his side victory, and the cup which Capt. Douglas, of Kirtlington presented.

Result Launton 3; Wootton 2.

Present at the final were Mr Harry Varney, of Chesterton, who claims to have witnessed every Jersey Cup final played and Mr R Renn, of Middleton Stoney who played in the first final almost 50 years ago