County Chronicle April 8^th 1926

The final of the Durham Amateur Cup, played at Bishop Auckland on Saturday, was one of the best of recent years.

Nearly 4,000 spectators witnessed a thrilling and hard fought contest between Witton Park Institute and Bank Head Albions, which ended in a draw of 2-2.

As was the case last year, Bank Head made themselves thoroughly at home on the Bishop Auckland enclosure.

They then opposed the 6^th DLI (Bishop Auckland), and forced a replay when they were all intents and purposes a beaten side.

History repeated itself, although at one time it looked odds on Witton Park atoning for their colleagues’ failure and bringing the trophy into this district once more.

However, the Fates decreed otherwise, and by virtue of what was practically a last minute goal, Bank Head forced a replay which will take place at Holiday Park, Durham, on the 24 inst.

It was a great disappointment to a large section of the crowd, and to the Witton Park players, but at the same time it must have been the general opinion that the Fencehouses brigade did not deserve to lose.

They were a better balanced side than the Park, and the territorial advantage was greatly in their favour.

The Park, nevertheless, should have won, and if such had happened the victory would have been gained by their strong defence.

It was a repetition of the display against West Auckland in the final of the Nursing Cup a fortnight before.

Newton, Lye and Rand versus the opposing forwards and half backs, is a fair summing up of nearly three-quarters of the game.

Newton is undoubtedly one of the best and mast consistent goalies in this district, and the wonder is that he has not been picked up by a class club, long ere this.

Tot Lye and his partner, Rand, are a typical pair of backs for Cup warfare.

Strenuous players through the most gruelling contest, hard kickers and fearless tacklers, it was surprising how seldom the Bank Head forwards got past them, despite the constant pressure to which they were subject.

Witton Park’s weakness lay in their wing halves, Hankey got a shaking in the first few minutes, which undoubtedly put him off his game and affected his display.

P. C. Wayper, the other wing half, who joined the Bradford police some weeks ago, and was liberated specially for the match, played like one who had lost touch with his colleagues after a short absence from the team.

In neither tackling nor recovery did he show exceptional powers, and it was fortunate he had such a hard-worker as Rand behind him.

No fault could be found with Gowland in the pivotal position.

He played a hard, useful defensive game, and his display was one of the features of the match.

The Park quintette play like a line which has been frequently reshuffled, and consequently has not had time to develop an understanding.

They were certainly sadly lacking in this respect compared with the Bank Head line, who played with great judgement and revealed many fine touches.

Bank Head’s main source of their strength was where Witton Park were weak in the half back line.

Their intermediate trio have developed a fine style, and this is not surprising because all three figure in the Cup winning team last year.

The full backs and goalkeeper were all shaky under pressure, although both Marrs and Ellison did any amount of good work in the open.

When hustled they were not quick at recovering and both Witton Park’s goals accrued as a result of this failing.

None of the Witton Park forwards were outstanding, but Bank Head possess two unusually good men in Potts and Wilson.

It is surprising to find a player who possesses craft and the abilities to work an opening such as those shown by the former yet to be found in junior football.

Hunnan, his left wing colleague did not fulfil his role so successfully as he might have done with the opportunities offered.

Bank Head opened out in a fashion which suggested that they would be easy winners.

They played splendidly, and pressed home the their attack with great force.

Long swinging centres from both wings were a feature and Newton exercised splendid judgement in fisting the dropping ball away time and again.

Witton Park did not pick up until the game was quite 20 minutes old when Geordie Yorke was presented with a gilt edged opportunity.

He only had Blythe to beat when he obtained possession of the ball almost on the penalty spot, but he shot over the bar.

Play was transferred immediately, and the ball was returned goalwards by Lightbody immediately after Newton had saved.

One of the Park defenders fisted away deliberately, although from Newton’s position immediately after the incident, he stood a sporting chance of dealing with the second shot.

Robson was entrusted with the kick, and made no mistake.

The Parkites improved wonderfully from now onwards, so much so that near the interval they were in the ascendancy

After many efforts the equaliser came when Gibson and Griffiths took the ball clean through, and the latter easily beat the advancing goalie.

Bank Head showed their first half superiority on resuming, and just when they were attacking most strenuously there was a surprising development. The Park forwards went away suddenly.

Griffiths ran the ball through, and White, taking the ball in his stride, sent in a terrific ground shot.

Blythe had to go full length to make a "partial" clearance, and Gibson, who rushed in, had an easy chance to bang the ball into the net.

The success was both unexpected and electrifying, and was certainly a bitter pill for the Bankers.

The Park rearguard set up a great defence, after this, and as the game wore to its close the Bank Head attack seemed to be losing its sting.

The Parkites were quite justified in looking forward to carrying the trophy home, when Wilson raced through on the right and scored a fine goal with a shot which Newton had no possible chance to save.

April 1926

Although claiming considerable more of the play than their opponents, Bank Head Albion failed to retain possession of the Durham Amateur Cup.

In the replayed final, which took place in delightful weather before 3,099 spectators, at Holiday Park, on Saturday, Witton Park Institute succeeded by two goals to nil.

They owed their victory to the splendid defensive play of Newton, Rand, Lye and Gowland, coupled with the opportunism of the forwards.

Few scoring chances came their way, such was the superiority of the Albion in midfield, but before the interval Gibson registered a good goal from the fringe of the penalty area, and near the close Griffiths sealed the issue while the Albion defenders appealed for offside.

Bankhead contributed to their own defeat by the failure of the inside forwards to take advantage of the openings provided by the flank men-Wilson and Hunnan.

On one occasion Kemp shot over with the goal at his mercy, and in the second half more than one glorious opportunity went abegging.

Back to Brief History webpage!

Back to Witton Park webpage!