Sporting Memories 1919:

Almost 100 years ago in 1919 young men had returned from The Great War and local football was back in action and there was great controversy in the Goodwick Cup Competition as a match between Goodwick United (playing in Royal Blue) and the Traffic Department of the Great Western Railway (green and black stripes) was poised at 2-2 with ten minutes to go – when the referee allowed a goal for Goodwick which the opposition players felt was offside.

The local correspondent described what happened then in great colour but with a language that was so different from today, and also provided a summary of the players which was perhaps a little more hard-hitting than would be expected today – and described in less detail two other fixtures that saw Milford Town beat Milford Fishermen 9-0 and Milford Comrades beat Pembroke Dock United 2-1!

So we’ll let him tell the story . . .

“The Traffic goalkeeper ended alongside the ball in the back of the net after Goodwick had scored with their opponents appealing for offside and pandemonium was let loose, with a fast and furious argument in which not only players but spectators took part.

“Everyone swarmed on to the field and voices were raised in angry protest so it was more like a fair than a football match.

“The referee was openly accused of ‘aiding’ with the Goodwick team and was loud in answering his critics rather than officially abandoning the game.

“Strong efforts were made by the ‘real sports’ to get the players to resume and if there were grounds for complaint to enter a protest after the match.

“The voices of the majority carried the day,  however, and The Traffic team were called off the field, although the majority of them were prepared to play – but it was felt that the referee, who was also captain of The Marine team, might have been influenced by the fact that his team still had to play both sides!”

So the game was called off and the matter referred to the Cup Competition Committee!

 

“I told The Traffic team that they should stay on and protest later but it was all over.

“Personally, I admire a referee who sticks to his decisions and he would not be worth his salt if he  did not and by all accounts he is a very good referee.

“But I think he should not have argued with spectators and in hindsight he should not have been put in such a position – and I think that in future such matches should have an ‘absolute outsider’ which should have been thought of before the match started.

Match Report

“Though the match should not have ended in the way it did because it had been a most enjoyable one where there was action at both ends from the start.

“The Traffic team started well but Fred Jones shot over the bar but they took the lead when outside right Watson fired home past Conway, via the post.

“They should have scored again when they were awarded a penalty for hand ball but James again shot over the bar.

“Goodwick fought back but Callan missed for Goodwick with only Hall to beat – and Traffic had two free kicks but Conway saved superbly from left back Willis.

Goodwick equalise from a ‘Daisy cutter’ penalty

“Goodwick drew level just before half time when they were awarded a penalty and centre forward Lanham sent in a ‘daisy cutter’ which left the opposing goalkeeper standing.

“Both teams had chances after half time which came to nothing but Goodwick took the lead when Lanham sent in a stinger which beat Hall all the way.

“Traffic had chances to equalise before they finally made it 2-2 when Willis fired home from a free kick outside the box.

“Then came that awful melee and the game was abandoned, which was a great shame.”

Goodwick United: Conway: Oliver; Webb: Morse; Baker; Jeffries: Ganting; Smith; Lanham; Thomas; Cullan.

GWR Traffic:  Hall: Rowe; Willis: Dick Williams; Power; Dick James: Watson; Roach, Fred James; Miles; Jones.

The Correspondent’s rating of players:

 

Great Western Railway Traffic Team

 

“Hall is not tall – this is not a pun – needs to develop his clearing kicks and adopt other methods, and be careful of illegal stepping when holding the ball, (Restricted to four paces in those days!)

“Willis was outstanding at right back, with excellent tackling, passing and speed. He could play in much better company. Rowe is a sturdy player at left back but with not much style to catch the eye.

Half backs couldn’t be bettered

“The half backs couldn’t be bettered, with right half Dick Williams as good as when he played for Fishguard – and with supporters shouting ‘Good old Dick’!

“Young Power at centre half is quite young and on the light side and I wondered if the selectors were right in picking this ‘boy’ but after ten minutes he should by his kicking and tackling it left nothing to be deserved and I look forward to his progress with considerable pleasure and anticipation.

“Dick James at left half had a sound and hard game and will make a splendid man with more experience.

Forwards in need of coaching

“The forwards need coaching in proper methods of play. They are short of practice but there were numerous opportunities lost and an awful blunder when an opening for combination presented itself but instead of opening out in readiness four of them rushed at the same time.

“There was also too much hesitation about shooting and I advise as much practice as possible at shooting on the run. I will not criticise individual player but urge them to practice hard together and after this is mastered they will give a really good account of themselves.”

 

Goodwick United Team

“Simpson was unavailable as goalkeeper so Conway stepped in and played well so that Simpson will have to play well on his return and with two such players the Goodwick team is in luck’s way!

“Webb at full back was their hardest tackler and had a sound game – and takes hard bumps with a smile on his face, while Oliver had not so much to do but was quite safe. He is of the old school and used to play for the Locomotive Department.

Not overly impressed by new defender

“Baker was reputed to be ‘some player’ at centre half in good company and was sound with individual efforts but had nothing to stand him outside ordinary local players, although he did rush into a melee with relish.

“Jeffries and Morse at right and left half did too much moving about to please me and at times forgot their positions but made up for it by being untiring.

Lanham stars up front

“Amongst the forwards Lanham was outstanding and others could do well to follow him and practise combinations.

“I don’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings but recommend that Goodwick United selection committee alter the arrangement of their front rank. One or two are certainly weak in attack but at present I will leave it at that.”

Other Matches:

Milford Town 9 Milford Fisherman 0

“This match was played at the Waterloo Ground, with Milford Town playing several young players and with The Fishermen starting well as they played with the slope and wind, with Collins starting well on the left wing.

“At the other end Teddy Waters and Robinson tested Marston before Waters opened the scoring for The Town and set up the second goal for Robinson – and added his second before half time.

“Robinson set up Walters for his third goal after half time and Thomas made it 5-0 with a hot cross shot.

“As The Fishermen tired Walters scored his fourth goal and others came from L Walters, Thomas and Robinson to give Milford Town a big win but The Fishermen have some useful players and if they stick together they will soon get better.”

Milford Town Team: B Batten: B Davies; L Mathias: W Pulford; M Davies; B Bryant: E Reynolds; Teddy Walters; N Robinson; L Walters; H Thomas.

Milford Fishermen Team: W Marston: W Joyce; J Margrave: D McKay; R Sanderson; J Setterfield: A Thomas; J Braddick; T Owen; T Job; W Collins.

Referee: G Roch

Milford Comrades 2 Pembroke Dock United 1

“This match was played at the Priory Road Ground and it was a pretty one and sometimes exciting as The Comrades looked to improve on their defeat against Pembroke Dock A last week.

“Woodgate opened the scoring for The Comrades but the score stood at 1-1 at half time after The United drew level.

“Youds then scored what proved to be the winning goal for Milford Comrades as L Griffiths and the Picton Brothers also played well. This win nicely sets up a big match at Priory Road next Saturday as they play Milford Town."

Interesting adverts:

Other items on the page were also interesting as a baker from St Davids asked the Food Controls Committee for permission to add a half penny to the price of his bread from nine and a half old pence to 10 old pence (12 old pence was equivalent to five pence today!).

He cited increased charges for flour and the cost of having not only a horse for local deliveries but a van for further afield. He added that several bakeries in the north of the county had to cease trading but was turned down by the committee!

In the adverts one could buy full cream cake flour for three old pence a bag and if one had kidney problems then 40 tablets from your local chemist would set you back one shilling and three pence (about 6 pence today!)

There were Kodak Cameras (a real novelty!) and, perhaps most importantly, Gomer’s Balm was guaranteed to rid children of nits – but no price was mentioned!