The Jersey Cup

Kirtlington: P Bowers A Couling I Davis B Cherry B Groves M Simmonds N Pearman D Johns M Siggers J Williams M Appleton C. Allen

Kirtlington Scorers: I Davis 1 B Cherry 1 M Siggers 1 J Williams 1

Merton: F Blake K Simmonds G Mason G Young J North B Sansome C Bunce L Ash R Leaver J Hughes A Bracewell M Farmer

A Beautiful afternoon of sunshine which provided a welcome relief from the bitterly cold winds of late, drew a crowd of over 1250 spectators, to the time honoured Jersey Cup Final on the Bicester Town Football Ground on Easter Monday.

The first final was played in 1888, when Middleton Stoney won the cup, and the local interest has been well maintained ever since. On almost a Wembley-like pitch. Kirtlington winners of the trophy eight times in the past and Merton making their first ever appearance in the final, provided the usual excitement associated with these occasions, but their was little constructive football and as so often is the case in the Jersey Cup final a great deal of wild kicking from players not normally indulging in this, but possibly affected by the occasion.

For twenty minutes Merton made the running, raising the hopes of their supporters that this was to be their cup for the first time of asking. The Kirtlington goal had a number of amazing escapes, and his colleagues had to come to the rescue of goalie Pete Bowers once or twice. Then Bad luck for Merton who suffered two misfortunes in a short space of time and their play seemed affected thereafter. In a clash of heads centre half North sustained a nasty gash and after attention he came back dabbing away with the sponge at the continued bleeding.

Rather surprisingly he continued to play in his usual position which one felt was an ill-fated policy. Centre-half was the best place a man with a cut head should be in and North should have been given time to recover elsewhere on the field.

The second misfortune was a lapse by the usual capable Francis Blake who appeared to have a weak shot from Davis covered, but let the ball slip over the line for Kirtlington's goal after twenty minutes play. Up till then the Merton goalie had hardly touched the ball. Kirtlington put on pressure after this, Johns hitting the bar, and their defence became too strong for the Merton attack which was put out of gear by the effective marking of Tich Leaver by B Groves. Again Blake was at fault when Cherry lofted a free kick from way out near the stand. The Merton keeper jumped too soon and the ball shot over his head and into the net.

Half-time: Kirtlington 2 Merton 0.

There was not a great deal of constructive play in the second half and players usually capable of holding the ball and using it methodically, often kicked wildly at it as if to get rid of a burning coal. Kirtlington gradually got on top being strong fore and aft, and little was seen of the Merton attack. John went close before in a concerted rush, Siggers forced the ball home for a third goal. One of the best shots of the match came from John Hughes, which landed on top of the net. With Kirtlington well on top, and a minute to go, the finest move of the afternoon brought a forth goal. Johns dribbled across the field, beating five men, before sending Appleton through. Williams heading the wingers centre well home.

Result : Kirtlington 4, Merton 0.

Having for over 21 years introducing the "V.I.P.s" presenting the cup, Mr E Roderick life vice-president of the Jersey F.A. was accorded that honour himself this year.

The "blanket" collection this year for the Oxon F.A. Benevolent Fund realised £17. Tribute, indeed to the officals of the Bicester Town F.C. Whose concerted efforts over Sunday and Monday had produced an excellent pitch, which was favourably commented upon by the crowd.