The Jersey Cup

Fritwell: R. Mulcock Beachey Calver G. Mulcock R. White (c) Pointer R. Allen J. Allen Jenkins Merry Leek

Fritwell Scorers: Jenkins 1

Heyford Athletic: Slatter Dale Prartley H. Wells D. Walton (c) A. Wells A. Brock Sale Darvill Bates L. Brock

Heyford Athletic Scorers: Darvill 1

The fifty-fifth final of the Lord Jersey Cup ended in a 1 – 1 draw at Bicester Sports Ground on Saturday afternoon. The mighty, all conquering Heyford Athletic (who looked far from being soon Saturday), and gallant Fritwell (who came so near to pulling off a deserved giant-killing act), were the contestants in this ninety-minute battle which never rose to very great heights in the soccer firmament.

As the teams left the field at the end, the most disappointed of twenty-two tired players was Fritwell’s skipper and centre half, Reg White. On two previous occasions since the war he has seen his team reach the final and lose. On Saturday, with fifteen minutes to go, Fritwell led 1 – 0 and deserved more goals. The Heyford dreadnought had been reduced to a nervy and unconstructive team, and White played a leading role in their subjection. He had confidently held the burly, bustling Peter Darvill, Heyford’s attack leader, and set his team a splendid example.

In the 80th minute, however, disaster came for Fritwell. Heyford’s veteran L. Brock, who has a handful a handful of Jersey Cup medals to his credit, swung across a piercing centre which Fritwell’s Roy Mulcock did well to tip over for a corner. Bates took the flag kick and lofted the ball with deadly precision into the penalty area. For the only time in the match White was a split second slower than Darvill who rose like a bird and flashed the ball into the net.

Before a large crowd on this sunny afternoon, the game was a poor one. A nervy Heyford were quickly forced to accede the initiative to Fritwell who took the lead in the 20th minute when Jenkins raced through to score. The interval was reached with Fritwell looking like prospective winners and when the teams switched over Heyford were still very much on the defensive. Both teams carried a passenger. A. Brock, for Athletic and Pointer for Fritwell, injured during the first period. As the second half proceeded Fritwell were awarded a succession of free kicks – on one occasion there were five in as many minutes. The vital goal which would have sealed Heyford’s doom never came, simply because centre-forward Jenkins lacked support, and Slatter, in the Heyford goal, brought off some brilliant saves.

When the equaliser came we saw something of the old Athletic, but a draw was inevitable.