1948
 
Saturday, 25 September 1948
Isthmian League
Plough Lane
 
Wimbledon
Harry Bull, Charlie Smith, Harry Stannard (2)
4 - 1
Oxford City
?

Added to Frank Lemmer’s injury, Ron Head was suffering from a cold and unable to return to the side in the unusual half-back position, so Jack Picton was again called up â€" and this time turned up in time to play â€" and Jock Woods moved to his preferred position in the half-back line. Dowding moved back to his usual wing, giving Harry Bull a debut on the opposite side.

Although the centre-forward position was still giving the committee headaches, the new formation at half-back, pitching the skilful Wallis and Woods outside the dominating Ken Lister, was expected to mark an improvement in the supply to the forwards. It certainly proved to be the case against Oxford as the Dons started in their usual rush. It took Bull only three minutes to make a mark, getting to the line and placing a splendid cross on Harry Stannard’s head for the opening goal. The second came only five minutes later, Charlie Smith helping on a free-kick from Jock Woods and Stannard jumping in front of the goalkeeper to head his second. Nugent put in a cross that lead to Haydock saving well from Walker, but the home side were irresistible and when the ball returned to the other end Charlie Smith headed home another Bull centre for the third. It was not one-way traffic though, and there was some clever approach play from the visitors that caused the Wimbledon defence anxiety, and Haydock was lucky to stay the right side of the line when he over-balanced after catching a shot from Avery. He wasn’t so fortunate with the next attack when Martin headed in a centre from Nugent. Almost immediately from the kick-off Stannard pushed the ball through from Bull who beat Oakey from a tight angle for the fourth home goal, and still only half an hour gone. Stannard’s charge on the keeper left him in a heap and it was some time before play could resume, but although badly shaken he bravely continued.

The play deteriorated in the second half, with the Dons’ halves dominating Oxford, and with Bull limping up front Wimbledon was happy to defend their unassailable lead. Even so, there were enough opportunities for the home side and they should have increased their lead. Stannard was guilty on one occasion of completely missing the ball when only a few yards from goal, but the second half petered out into a non-event.