Southern League (Division One)
Team: Howes, Archer, Lyon, Downing, Hitch, Cross (J), Singleton, Ryder, Bevan, Milward, Murphy
Attendance: 12,000
On 15th April 1905, Rangers travelled to Craven Cottage. The following match report later appeared in the West London Observer:
‘About 12,000 spectators assembled at Craven Cottage on Saturday afternoon, when the Cottagers had Queen’s Park Rangers as visitors, Southern League points being in the balance.
The day was gloriously fine, and the ground in excellent condition. Both teams were at full strength, and the contest was keen and exciting, the Fulhamites having to acknowledge defeat by two goals to one.
The visitors won the toss, and the Cottagers put the ball in motion with the sun in their eyes.
After some midfield play, the Rangers forwards broke away. Bevan centred to Ryder, who sent in a grounder, which Fryer cleverly saved.
Subsequently, the home vanguard made an unsuccessful visit to the visitors’ goal area, the backs clearing in fine style.
After a few minutes play in the Cottagers’ territory, Cross sent the ball sailing over the crossbar.
Eventually Soar and Graham got going on the right-wing, and when in the danger zone, Archer robbed them.
A free kick to Queen’s Park Rangers relieved matters, and when the Rangers were pressing, Murphy made an unsuccessful attempt to net the sphere.
Bell and Wardrope were seen sprinting up the middle of the field in possession of the ball and having succeeded in passing all opposition except the goalie, Wardrope registered the first goal with a stinging shot, after the game had been in progress fifteen minutes.
After Lennie had been laid out, Bevan broke through and sent in a well-directed shot, which Fryer had no difficulty in saving.
The home forwards were once more dangerous, and Wardrope had exceedingly hard lines in not scoring, the defending custodian just having time to throw out.
Some eight minutes afterwards the visitors equalised through Hitch.
The home forwards got away in grand fashion, Bell and Soar being conspicuous and the latter player sent in a fine shot which fairly tested Howes.
Half-time therefore arrived with the Rangers leading by two goals to one.
Morrison centred to Fraser, and the latter transferred to Lennie, who travelled up the field, but when squaring to shoot, was robbed of the sphere.
After one of the backs had sent the ball flying over the crossbar, the Queen’s Park forwards assailed the local stronghold in a determined manner.
And Bevan succeeded in putting the leather in the rigging, entirely out of reach of Fryer, just as the first-half was drawing to a conclusion.
On the resumption of hostilities, the Rangers were the first to attack. Singleton managed to beat Ross, and then centred, which caused Fryer to run out of goal in order to clear, and Milward racing up, sent in a shot which Fryer saved at the expense of a corner.
The Cottagers played-up more vigorously, and were now bombarding the Rangers’ defence, and Fraser shot, but failed to beat Howes.
Eventually the visitors got away on the right, and Murphy sent-in a beautiful shot from a somewhat difficult angle, but Fryer cleverly cleared.
After the second moiety had been in progress for about thirty minutes, Haworth endeavoured to equalise with a fine shot, which Hawes saved by falling full-length in front of the goal.
Subsequently, Lennie failed to do the needful, and then Fraser and Morrison shot over the crossbar in quick succession.
The Cottagers had now the better of the argument, and the spectators went wild with enthusiasm.
Soar made a nice opening but was robbed of the sphere in front of the goalmouth, and then Fraser sent the ball sailing over the crossbar.
At length the Rangers assumed the aggressive, and Bevan had an open goal, but failed to rise to the occasion.
When the whistle sounded for time, the result was: Queen’s Park Rangers two goals, Fulham one.’
This was followed by a 4-1 win over Watford a week later at the Agricultural Showground in Park Royal.
Steve Russell
(Thanks to Colin Woodley for sending me the match report)