Erith & Belvedere   2          Ruddy 55, Collins 67

Shorts Sports          1          Conley 68

Kent Senior Cup Final, 25 May 1942 (at Park View)

 

Continuing the series counting down the 100 most memorable games in our history.  Today, the day we became the first amateur team to win the Kent Senior Cup in 30 years.

 

Another classic from our great wartime season of 1941-42.It’s fair to say we didn’t have the most arduous route to the Kent Senior Cup Final, since many clubs had closed for the duration of hostilities, and the only game we needed to play to reach the semi was a home tie against Orpington, who were beaten to the tune of 14-1.But Bromley were the opposition in the semi, always a tough prospect.We won that one 3-0 with two goals from Martin Ruddy and one from Harold Gurr.So on Monday 25 May 1942, 4,500 people crammed into Park View for more light relief from the rigours of war.

 

KENT SENIOR CUP WON BY DERES - First Amateurs To Do So For 30 Years.

 

In 1912 Catford Southend carried off the Kent Senior Cup, being the first amateur club to receive this coveted trophy.  By defeating Shorts Sports 2-1 in the final on Monday, Erith and Belvedere became the second amateurs to hold it.

 

The match was played on the Deres' ground at Park View, this (owing to war conditions) being the first time that the Kent Senior Cup final has been played away from Maidstone for over 30 years.  A large and enthusiastic crowd witnessed an exciting game, fast and clean, with excellent tactical skill.  The Deres were faced by a forward line containing Geldard (Everton and Charlton) and Blackman (Crystal Palace), while Lewis (West Ham United) played at left-back.  The home team were superior in their placing, though Shorts' defensive play was most pleasing to watch, and when they attacked it was by a series of scientific manoeuvres which would have very often been successful had it not been for splendid goalkeeping by Barron.

 

From the kick-off the Deres carried the play into enemy territory, but as soon as the visitors settled down into the game they pressed back, and after a trip inches outside the penalty area had nearly resulted in a goal, the Deres' defence had some very anxious moments.  Barron, after making several fine saves, was injured but was able to resume without leaving the field after he had received attention.

 

Making the most of their fast left wing, Shorts were keeping the ball out of their own half and harassing the Deres' goal.  After 33 minutes' play Jones, Shorts' outside-left, screwed away from an open goal, and a few minutes later a fast shot from the same quarter nearly scored.  Jones was setting the pace, and for the remainder of the half the visitors pressed very strongly but were unable to find the net.  Half-time arrived without score.

 

On the resumption the Deres for some time kept the ball in the enemy goalmouth.  After ten minutes of the second half some pretty manoeuvres near Shorts' goal resulted in Ruddy scoring a beautiful goal.  It was a remarkable goal for many reasons, not just for the neatness with which the ball was netted.  It was the first goal of the match, it gave the Deres an all-important lead at a critical stage, and, most important of all,

It was the club's 250th goal of the season.

 

The impetus of this score caused the Deres to press their visitors harder, until a sudden breakaway brought the play to the other end.  An anxious moment ensued when Barron carried the ball outside the penalty area, and Shorts made a great effort to score, which misfired.  The Deres pressed harder than ever, and after 22 minutes' play in this half Collins banged the ball into the corner of the net to increase the score.

 

A minute later Conley reduced the visitors' arrears from a free-kick, and now Shorts began to play in a manner suggesting that they had been reserving their strength, and the ball was fairly permanently in the home goalmouth.  O'Hara and Kitchener worked very hard and once Barron saved what had appeared to be a certain equaliser.  The play was now swinging back and forth, neither side holding the advantage for long.  Just before time Shorts made a desperate bid for extra time, but thanks to superb defence, in which Randle and his wing halves played an important part, they were kept out.

 

Result:

Erith and Belvedere 2, Shorts Sports 1.

 

Presenting the cup to P. O'Hara, captain of the winning team, Alderman W. N. Rule, JP, chairman of the Kent County F.A., remarked, "I leave it to the supporters of the respective teams to decide who played the better football, but in this kind of match we have to present the cup to the side which scores the most goals."  This was a most appropriate remark, as the play throughout had been keenly contested, and neither side could be said to have played a more entertaining or sporting game than its opponents.

 

Erith and Belvedere: George Barron; Bill Kitchener, Pat O'Hara; Bob Prescott, Stan Randle, Tom Jenner; Len Scott, Bob Collins, Martin Ruddy, Harold Gurr, Jack Urpeth.

Shorts Sports: Gilvray; Robinson, Lewis; Madden, Armstrong, Thompson; Geldard, McAdam, Blackman, Conley, Jones.

 

Of those Shorts names, Albert Geldard played for Bradford Park Avenue at the age of 15, setting a record as the youngest League player that stood until 2008.  He won the FA Cup with Everton in 1933, made 180 appearances for them as well as four England caps.   John Blackman played 108 times for QPR and 99 for Crystal Palace, and went on to work as a physio for Millwall in the 60s.

 

The following Saturday, 30 May 1942, the Deres ended the season by playing host to a very strong South East Command XI which included no fewer than four international players.  Their 4-2 defeat ended an unbeaten run of 64 home games (won 60, drawn 4) which dated back to March 1940!