Sun Engraving 4 North Watford Sports 4        1936/37        Watford & District Charity Cup Final              

Only four minutes left when Sun Equalised - Charity Cup Final was a thriller

A dramatic equaliser four minutes from the conclusion of extra time of this Watford & District Charity Cup Final at Gammons Lane, on Saturday, was a fitting climax to a fast and furious combat in which no quarter was given, and was a just reward for a desperate rally by the Sun.
Now the teams have to fight again which, apart from the fact that the hospital will derive the benefit of a "double gate" is as it should be, for neither could claim superiority for more than a limited period.
Fortunes certainly fluctuated in see-saw fashion, first one side then the other appearing to gain mastery.
The "never say die" spirit was always in evidence, and although it must be confessed that real football was at a premium, the enthusiasm displayed throughout was wild and untamed.
At times the keenness of tackling reached frightening proportions.
One of the heroes of this "he-man" combat was Davis, the Sun pivot, who returned to the field his head swathed in bandages, necessary to protect a long and deep cut over his right eye.
He insisted on continuing in his original position and never shirked to head the wet ball.
On one occasion he unflinchingly stuck his head in the way of a free kick taken by Rose, only to drop like a log.
Soon he recovered, ready for more.
His pluck and resolution was an inspiration, and played no little part in the Sun's recovery.
Imagine twenty two players refusing to yield a single inch, each with an "Over my dead body shall ye pass" idea, eight good goals and you get a fair idea of one of the best finals in the history of this competition, which has contributed over £500 to the hospital.
Another feature was the excellent goalkeeping of Worrall and Lewis, and the former's save from a fierce drive by Doig was a curtain raiser to a full blooded drama.
In the first act Emery opened the scoring, heading through a centre from Trevers after 20 minutes and the equaliser by Crossley was the outcome of a powerful drive which left Lewis helpless.
by the way Warby (for the Sports) and Doig and Emery hit the crossbars and Worrall's efforts which prevented Doig's and Callow's shots from entering the net were of a first class order.
There was a doubt about the corner from which Crossley put the Sports ahead after the interval, but Brooks placed the Sun on level terms following a free kick taken by Cartwright.
The goal by Southam which put Sun Engraving ahead was the neatest of the bunch.
Receiving from Emery, Southam neatly slipped Warby, and shot just inside the near post.
Crossley came to the Sports rescue fifteen minutes from time, his successful shot entering the net off the post.
Extra time had two definite phases.
The first period was in North Watford's favour and they went ahead in the first minute, Green, the former St Albans City forward, shooting through a crowd of players.
In the second period the Sun's bid for equality could not be denied, strongly as the Sports defended their narrow lead.
Four minutes from time Callow essayed a drooping shot which went over the heads of several players and completely beat an unsighted Worrall.
The Mayor, (Alderman H. Coates) visited the game to present the cup but if he saw the game in full he could not have felt the journey fruitless.
The replay should be well worth watching, even if the teams play up half as well.

Sun Engraving: R Lewis, R Cartwright, W Howe, C Trevers, A Davis, C Brooks, F Cooper, A Doig, G Callow, S Emery, A Southam