Inter Regional Football: 1959

Final
Western Region won the final of the British Railways Staff Association football competition, beating Southern Region 3 - 1. The match was played on the Maidenhead United Club's ground, Maidenhead, on 19th March under ideal conditions.

From the kick-off the Western Region took the initiative and were playing the more constructive football, and it was not long before D. Griffiths fastened on to a well-judged pass from M. Evans to race through and score with a well-placed shot. Fifteen minutes later T. Grace put Evans through with a pass between the full backs and Evans made no mistake with his shot, giving the goalkeeper no chance of saving.

On resuming the second half, the Western Region seemed to have lost their cohesion, many passes going astran, the Southern Region were quick to take advantage of these mistakes and were soon pressing the Western Region defence. After a fine bout of passing between their forwards Cunningham reduced the Western Region lead by scoring an excellent goal. Play from then onwards travelled from end to end and in the closing minutes of the game Evans added a third goal with a superb shot.

The match was a spirited tussle between the two teams but Western were undoubtedly the better side and deserved their victory.

Mr Ernest Crawford, an Eastern Region official from Doncaster and an eminent referee, (the previous week he refereed Notts Forest and Aston Villa in the FA Cup semi-final), was in charge of the game. He was ably assisted by linesmen H. F. Rodwell and A. G. Pearce, also of the Eastern Region.

After the match the teams were introduced by Mr A. L. Carr, General Secretary, BRSA, Western Region, to Mr J. R. Hammond, General Manager, Western Region, who congratulated the players and presented the trophy to the winning Captain, A. L. Thomas of Aberdare, and replicas to both teams. Among the spectators was Mr C. P. Hopkins, General Manager, Southern Region.

The teams and officials were entertained to tea by members f the Woman's section of the Maidenhead branch of the BRSA and Mr W. Leach, branch secretary, was responsible for the local arragements.

Taken from the Western Region Magazine, May 1959.undefined