QPR (4) – Hanwell (2) – ‘And Five Minutes before the Close McDonald Scored the Fourth & Last Goal’ .

West London Challenge Cup Semifinal Team: Peters, Saunders, Worden, Spurr, Ridout, McKenzie, Druitt, Stroud, Morris, McDonald, and Teagle Attendance: 400.

The West London Challenge Cup, not to be confused with the West London Observer Cup, was held around the same time in 1890. It had eight teams. Rangers’ first round match against St.

Johns Hammersmith was scheduled for December 6th at Brondesbury. However, due to a weaker team, Hammersmith withdrew from the tie, and the game was played as a friendly instead. Rangers were then slated to face Hanwell in the Barn Elms semi-finals in February.

But for some reason, Hanwell did not appear, and QPR won the match.

Later, Rangers opted to play the tie in order to get a satisfying result. The game eventually took place on March 14th at Kildare FC’s field in Acton. The West London Observer featured the following match report: ‘Morris kicked off, and the Queens took the ball near the Hanwell goal, where Teagle scored a beautiful.

The Rangers’ centre-forward was forced to retire two minutes into the game after being involved in a serious collision. Starting with 10 men, the Queen’s had several chances to score, but Hooper was at home in goal and would not be defeated again so quickly.

The Hanwell attackers made a nasty charge, with “Sugar” throwing in a beauty that Peters stopped but kicked on to an opponent, and the leather rebounded through goal to equalise.

After some equal play, Hanwell forced a corner, which was well placed by “Sugar”, and Peters was knocked through the goal with the ball in his hands, resulting in Hanwell’s second goal. The Rangers now played with fresh vigour, and Hooper saved shot after shot in brilliant fashion, but the score remained unchanged at halftime.

When the game resumed, it was clear that the Queen’s were serious, and after ten minutes, Stroud scored the Rangers’ second goal, pulling the scores back level.

Both teams now played hard and fast, with Druett and Stroud impressing with their smart passing, and McDonald scored a third goal from a Druett centre.

This energised the Hanwell squad, and the Queen’s defence engaged in some rough play. Saunders, Worden, and Peters’ defences were solid, particularly Saunders’, as “Tom” had been playing a great back’s game throughout the match, never allowing his opponents on the left wing to become dangerous.

Hanwell attempted a change, with captain Brind coming forward, but it was ineffective, as McDonald scored the fourth and final goal five minutes before the end.

Mr Webb (of Hanwell FC) refereed in a fair manner, and no complaints were filed against him. Mr Wastie, the appointed referee, did not show up. This concise synopsis ran in the same newspaper.

‘The game turned out to be really tough, since the Hanwell squad was much bigger and used their weight far too frequently to be enjoyable! And the Queen’s are now, to use an odd term, a bunch of crocks!

Among the winners, Druett and Stroud demonstrated excellent attacking play. Spurr was the best of the halves, and McKenzie performed admirably until the final quarter, when he got injured.

Once again, Saunders demonstrated his talent at back, with excellent tackles and clean kicking. Peters in goal was as safe as a house, and the two goals scored against the Queen’s were difficult to save. I’m sorry to hear Morris will probably not play again this season.

If this is the true, it will jeopardise the Queen’s prospects of winning any of the cups they are now competing for. Unfortunately, the final never took place.

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