The Jersey Cup

Ardley, Stoke and Bucknell: R. Collins D. Curtis J. Ansell (c) D. Rogers N. Rolfe E. Farnham J. Kane J. Allen J. Beasley M. Curtis G. Keen

Ardley, Stoke and Bucknell Scorers: G. Keen 2 J. Beasley 2 N. Rolfe 1

Heyford Athletic: N. Slatter C. Dale E. Prately J. Varney L. Brock H. Wells A. Brock D. Sale P. Darvill D. Walton (c) B. Walton

Heyford Athletic Scorers:

To the list of clubs who have won the Lord Jersey Cup since it was first played for in 1888, there is now added the name of Ardley, Stoke and Bucknell United who beat Heyford Athletic 5 – 0 at Bicester Sports Ground on Easter Monday before a crowd of nearly 1,500.

In perfect weather conditions, marred towards the close by an April shower, Ardley won the coveted trophy for the first time by virtue of being the better team. Their victory was a triumph for youth, for many of the team are under twenty. After a goalless first half, during which both teams missed chances, Ardley gave a dazzling performances of high-grade junior football which outplayed Heyford Athletic. Luck did not enter into it: Athletic, in spite of their being at the top of Division 1 of the Jersey League where as Ardley are in the top half of Division II, succumbed to a combination of youthful enthusiasm and skill partnered by solid determination to win. The first half was mainly a battle in which both defences were on top. Neither forward line gave any indication that goals would come, but perhaps it was ominous that by the interval Ardley had forced three corners to Heyfords one. Ardley had wind advantage for the first forty-five minutes, but centre-forward J. Beasley was well held by veteran L. Brock, and the Ardley wingers were never allowed much space or time in which to play the ball. Likewise the two Ardley backs J. Ansell and D. Curtis, and centre half N. Rolfe completely blotted out the Heyford forwards. When the second half was ten minutes old Ardley’s left-winger Keen beat right-back Dale for the first time. With the utmost calm he dribbled to within a yard or so of the corner flag and then casually centred the ball with unerring accuracy straight into the net. A fascinatingly accurate goal which gave Ardley the lead and spelt doom for Heyford.

Another ten minutes passed during which Ardley stormed to the attack and M. Curtis missed by inches with a fierce low drive. Then an unnecessary foul gave Ardley an indirect free kick in the penalty area. The ball was tapped to Beasley who shot high and accurately into the net. Two up to Ardley, and within a few minutes it was three when Beasley was fouled and Norman Rolfe converted from the penalty spot.

For Heyford this was the end. Their defence was obviously tiring whereas the young Ardley forwards found new energy. G. Keen beat his man again to score with a low lob, and later John Beasley crashed the ball home to make it number five.

Ardley are to be congratulated on playing a clean game and sporting game during which only one foul was awarded against them. Their headwork was a pleasure to watch, especially in defence where precise head passing foiled the Heyford forwards again and again.

Man of the match was Ardley’s captain, left-back Jimmy Ansell, who made not a single mistake. He completely subdued the Heyford right wing with cool tackling, accurate passes and first-class headwork. His was a captain’s game, and he set a fine example to his team.

The toast then is to Ardley, Stoke and Bucknell United on their well-earned victory over Heyford Athletic. As one spectator remarked at the end, “it was a fair trouncing.”