The Jersey Cup

Chesterton and Wendlebury: J. Brain J. Dumbleton J. Bowers B. Wheatcroft B. Pratley C. Bates M. Womersley N. Perrett B. Jeacock D. Jeacock G. Holton

Chesterton and Wendlebury Scorers: M. Womersley 1 B. Jeacock 1

Islip: J. Hunt G. Ford N. Watson G. Higgs M. Beesley D. Maunder D. Beckley P. Beesley D. Gunstone A. Busby J. Wilkinson

Islip Scorers: P. Beesley 1

The first Jersey Cup final since pre-war attracted a record crowd of over 1,200 to the Bicester Town ground on Saturday, with the “gate” totalling over £30. As usual, the spectators came from all over the neighbourhood and the finalist had their full quota of support. Chesterton and Wendlebury were making their second appearance in a final, having lost the Junior League decider a week or so previously. They were at full strength, but Islip had to make changes through W. Beesley being injured.

The first real danger to either goal came when Basil Jeacock put Holton nicely clear, but the winger shot over. Hunt was in some difficulty with a centre from Bates, but the goalkeeper finally cleared for Wilkinson to force a corner at the other end, which was cleared with some difficulty. Later M. Beesley drove inches wide, and Islip were the more dangerous near goal. B. Jeacock was well marked, and his inside colleagues failed to engineer a plan which would draw the defence from the centre forward, consequently he was not able to get in a decent shot.

Towards the interval Islip exerted pressure, and after three corners had proved unproductive they opened the scoring through P Beesley. Five minutes of the second half had gone when Chesterton and Wendlebury equalised, Womersley having Hunt beaten with a lob from the wing, the ball passing over the goalkeeper and into the net. Islip retaliated, and Beckley had bad luck with a great shot which hit the underside of the bar. When the ball bounced down on to the line a goal was imminent, but it was averted by a clearance in the nick of time. Chesterton and Wendlebury exerted pressure, Islip suffering a setback owing to Gunston being injured. With roughly ten minutes to go, Holton at last found B. Jeacock, with a through pass which the centre-forward took up to run on and beat Hunt. Islip were not done with and Dumbleton was hard pressed in a sharp raid and conceded a corner. Brain jumped to fist the resultant kick away, and as a last minute thrill B. Jeacock sent a fast shot skimming the Islip bar.

Result Chesterton and Wendlebury 2; Islip 1.

Mr T. H. Harris of Banbury, vice-chairman of the Oxford Football Association, and one of the committee appointed to manage the Jersey Cup Association for this season, presented the cup to the captain of the winning team (D. Jeacock) and made it quite clear in his remarks that the O.F.A. intended to continue to manage the affairs of the Jersey Cup Association only for this season. After that the latter would again appoint their own committee and officials of management. The Chesterton and Wendlebury players received silver medals, and the runners-up bronze, Islip also receiving the ball used in the match.

A word of praise is due to Messrs. R. Walker, J. Dancer, S. Scarrott and G. Gillians for preparing the ground, and to Messrs. W. F. Baughan, W. Clifton, A. H. Clifton, E. Jolliffe and E. Scarrott for the gate arrangements, in the charge of Mr W. F. Baughan, Assistance was also rendered by the Secretary of the Sports Association (Mr G. W. Price), and Messrs A. Whetton, L.E. Ayris and J. Egerton. Mr E. Roderick had charge of the general arrangements.