1948
Saturday, 12 March 1949
Isthmian League
Plough Lane
 
Wimbledon
Freddie Gauntlett (2), Ken Lister
3 - 1
Walthamstow Avenue
?

In a brave reshuffle for the game against the league leaders, Ron Head was dropped into the back line with Doug Munday moving to half-back in place of Raishbrook. Harry Stannard returned at centre-forward and there was a surprise call-up for Ken Twigg, who had joined from Bishop Auckland two season previously, but was only able to make one appearance before a serious car crash appeared to have ended his playing days. Walthamstow were missing their England international, Jim Lewis, who was playing against Wales.

Avenue started brightly and Jim Haydock half-cleared a corner, Ron Head completing the take, but Wimbledon soon made headway and after some good work on the left wing Billy Laws put in a shot that went wide. Vic Bird then finished off a rousing attack with a cracker against the post and Stannard, following up, headed towards goal only for Simmonds to punch clear from underneath the bar. With half an hour gone Freddie Gauntlett broke through but had his legs whipped out from beneath him and Ken Lister scored from the resultant spot kick. Stout defence saw the score remain one goal to the good at the break.

Wimbledon made a lively start to the second half and they were prominent down the left wing. Twigg and Laws swopped places in an attempt to get the right wing going, although they never quite settled down. Bird should have scored and Stannard forced the keeper to fumble, but he managed to gather at the second attempt. The keeper did well to intercept a cross from Twigg aimed at Stannard’s head. A long pass from the visitor’s left-wing found Stathen unmarked, and he easily scored the equaliser, but the Dons were not done and a pass from Lister was dummied through by Stannard to Gauntlett who beat Simmonds from close in. Little more than a minute later and Gauntlett was there again to finish off a goal-mouth melee.