The Jersey Cup

Heyford Athletic: Cuss Rose Humphries Badby Faulkner McGarry D. Brock R. Brock McPhee B. Brock Keys

Heyford Athletic Scorers: Brian Keys 1 Rodney Brock 1

K.E.T.A.: Cullen McDonnell Parrott Reaich Jones Woods Herron Fenn Offord Chaplin Smith

K.E.T.A. Scorers: Terry Chaplin 1 Pat Smith 1

The Jersey Cup final, which still holds its interest, and has done each year since the first final was played in 1888, attracted a crowd of nearly 800 to the Bicester Sports Ground on Easter Monday.

There was a disappointing finish, however following play being temporarily halted, and then resumed, as a hail and a snow storm broke over the ground, and it ended a tame draw of four goals, all scored in the first half.

With Heyford Athletic hoping to achieve something done only once before in the Jersey Cup competition, to win the trophy three years in succession, and K.E.T.A. equally determined that it should be for them victory in this their first appearance in the final everything was set for a grand match. Bright sunshine favoured the occasion at the start, and the first half was full of interest. The football could hardly be described as brilliant, but the exchanges were always interesting, what little constructive play there was coming from K.E.T.A, but the sure tackling of the Heyford defence, who cleared their lines powerfully and very effectively caused few dangerous moments for them.

In turn the Athletic forwards were seldom allowed to build up any serious threat, and most danger came from winger Brian Key’s, who put Heyford ahead after 25 minutes play. A bad mistake in the K.E.T.A. defence allowed the ball to run loose to the fast running Keys, who hit a great shot, low and true into the net.

K.E.T.A.’s close work broke down time and again against a resolute defence in which Bill Faulkner in the air and on the ground was a tower of strength, but on one occasion his goalkeeper Trevor Cuss had to save smartly a header from his centre-half. Another defensive error cost K.E.T.A. a second goal, this time Jone’s made a half hearted back pass, goalkeeper Cullen stayed on his line, and Rodney Brock moved smartly to ram the ball in.

Playing strongly Heyford looked good for goals, but to their credit K.E.T.A. did not panic and fought back splendidly “Dickie” Offord moved cleverly passed two defenders, and in a flash Terry Chaplin had run into the open space to shoot pass Cuss for an opportunist goal. Two minutes later K.E.T.A. were on level terms when Chaplin took a free kick just clear of the goal area and Pat Smith “prodded” the ball home. Two-all at the interval.

The first half proceedings so full of interest, had given promise of a good second half, which, however was completely spoilt by the weather, and a decision by referee John Byles to suspend play temporarily. The ominous black clouds which had moved in from the Bignell “horizon” suddenly broke to loose a storm of hail and snow, but it hardly gathered any momentum when referee Byles halted play and signalled the teams off the field. There was some confusion as the Heyford team remained on the field to show their contempt for the weather, but they did eventually go off, following K.E.T.A. who were also very hesitant to leave the field. For a few moments hardly anyone knew for sure whether the match was abandoned or temporarily held up.

The result was a protesting crowd surging round the pavilion, players protesting at the suspension of play, and eventually referee Byles whistling the teams out again, ironically enough just as the storm was at its worst.

This temporary halt to the game obviously upset the players, whose concentration was broken as a result, and the soaking they then got from the snow, and hail did not help matters. A great deal of aimless kicking followed, play slowed down considerably with few scoring chances presented and constructive play practically nil. The final thus petered out to a draw and perhaps it was just as well in view of all the circumstances that the teams have to play again under. We sincerely hope more favourable conditions.