The United Win At Wimbledon

THE UNITED WIN AT WIMBLEDON

1934-35 was Southend's first season at the Stadium with a new manager in David Jack. The move had the desired effect of increased gates but it was a failure on the field with both first and second teams having to apply for re-election. However the Cup did bring a little joy with a record breaking 10-1 win against Golders Green which led to a second round tie at Wimbledon but this was the time of three teams all playing on the same day:

TRAIN SERVICE
Efforts were made by Mr. E.J. Grant to obtain a through train from Southend but this the L.M.S. stated was impractical/ the L.M.S. however have agreed to some cheap return tickets to Wimbledon via Fenchurch Street, the bank and Waterloo; from Shoeburyness and intermediate stations to Benfleet such tickets being available by any train after 9.30. the return fare is 5s from Shoebury, 4s 9d from Southend and Westcliff and 4s 8d from Leigh. The 11.22 train from Southend will give ample time to get to the match for the kick off as there are frequent trains from Waterloo to Wimbledon. The ground is about fifteen minutes walk from Wimbledon Station but there is a frequent services of 'buses. Multiways coaches are also running a special trip starting at 11.30 while Westcliff Motor Services have one starting at 11 a.m.

From the Southend Standard 6^th December 1934

WIMBLEDON 1-5 SOUTHEND UNITED

Sat. 8^th December 1934

F.A. Cup Round 2

Wimbledon had beaten Leyton 1-0 away but had needed a replay after drawing 1-1 in the first match. As was generally anticipated Southend proved too strong for the last amateur club left in the competition and won by the score of five goals to one. The Blues ( or to be more precise the Reds as they donned Arsenal style jerseys for the day) did not impress their supporters and for periods in the second half were hard pressed. The attendance of 10,869 (receipts of £637) was as many as could have been expected at the Stadium and included over 300 reserved seat holders from Southend , to say nothing of the scores who were on the banks and in the south stand.

Also present was Stanley Rous secretary of the Football Association. It was a defensive slip which allowed Johnson to open the score after fifteen minutes, ten minutes later Cheesmur added a second and then Deacon added a third two minutes later. Cheesmur added the fourth and also the fifth which was the best of his three, after good work by Johnson.

Team: Moore; Morfitt and Kelly: Mackay, J. Wilson and Carr; Lane, Johnson, Cheesmur, Deacon and Oswald.

London Combination: Southend United 3-5 Coventry City

The reserves took part in an extraordinary match at Coventry at which they at one time found themselves five goals down but pulled back three goals but lost the game 3-5. The half time score was 4-0 and early in the second half Coventry added a fifth although the goal looked decidedly offside, however then the Blues did considerably better. Clark was pulled down in the area, and Stevens converted the penalty. Shortly afterwards Donoven added a second and three minutes later Wilson used his height to head home the third. Coventry steadied their defence and then there was no further score

Whitelaw; Robertson and Robinson; Todd, T. Wilson and Smith; Barrow; E. Jones, Stevens, Donoven and Clark

Friendly; Southend United 2-3 R.A.F.

The Royal Air Force team visited the Stadium and defeated the Southend Reserve XI by 3-2 in one of the keenest fought and most sporting games played on the ground. The visitors were on top in the first half and gained a two goal advantage. The second half saw a reversal of roles with the United dominant with Bertram Jones and Bushby equalising for Southend but the RAF gained a late winner.

Watson, Stevenson & Holborn; Williams, Jackson & Gulliver; Bertram. Jones, Bushby, Fryar Benny Jones and Rogers

THE CUP DRAW

In the Third Round Cup draw, Southend were drawn with home advantage against Sheffield United. The clubs had previously been paired together in 1920 the clubs first year at the Kursaal but the ground at that time was a very crude affair and in exchange for cash compensation the match was played at Brammell Lane in front of 40,000 spectators. However the F.A. had become a lot stricter regarding changing grounds and the venue remained at the Stadium. Mr. David Jack said of the draw that he was "very well satisfied" and added "Sheffield United are a far better side than their League position suggests".