1948
Saturday, 13 November 1948
F.A. Cup - 4Q
Plough Lane
 
Wimbledon
Harry Stannard
1 - 2
Dartford
?

It was all change for the visit of Southern League professionals Dartford in the F.A. Cup. Of the two back lines only Doug Munday retained his place, Ray Winsbury and Len Cannon taking over at full-back and Jock Woods and Frank Lemmer the two outside-halves. Jack Wallis moved into the forward line and Jack Wallis returned as Charlie Smith paid the price for some ineffective displays.

The crowd of 9,250 were thrilled by the gallant fight put up by the Dons and, on the run of play, the home side deserved to enter the next round. But Dartford were dangerous, particularly on the break through Young and Osman, both of whom went close with shots across goal, but Jim Haydock was not seriously troubled until the twenty-eighth minute. Against the run of play Cannon mis-kicked when attempting to clear a cross from Young and, as three other defenders hesitated, Viles pounced on the loose ball to scramble the ball into the net. Gee, Dartford’s left half, was cautioned as the visitors defenders tackled with more vigour than discretion. Four minutes before the break a struggle in the Wimbledon goal-mouth ensued and as the ball was going towards goal Munday tried to clear it for a corner but only succeeded in putting it in his own net.

The Dons set the pace at the start of the second half and Dartford resorted to hoofing the ball out, and with some distance, but Wimbledon kept plugging away and Harry Stannard fired in a shot that just cleared the bar. On the hour Stannard then headed against the cross-bar, following up himself with a second header on the rebound to reduce the arrears. Head then went close with a left foot shot. Dartford also had their chances and the home defence was forced to scramble the ball clear during a melee after Viles had headed against the bar. The final ten minutes was almost constant attack from Wimbledon, desperately trying to get level, but resolute defence, and a fair slice of luck when Ron Head hit the inside of a post only for the ball to rebound into play, kept them at bay.