Southern Charity Cup
Team: Howes, Lyon, Newlands, Yenson, White, Downing, Green, Fletcher, Brewis, Ryder, Blake
Attendance: 2,000
On 22nd October 1906, Rangers took on Reading at Park Royal in the 1st round of the Southern Charity Cup.
The following match report appeared in the Reading Observer three days later:
‘It must have been a sore disappointment to the followers of the R.F.C. when they received the news on Monday that the team had been beaten at Park Royal by four goals to one.
Let us at once say that they deserved to be so beaten, for with few exceptions the men played an indifferent game, and those who saw the form these players showed at Watford on Saturday could hardly realise that it was the same men doing duty.
We were glad to see Turnbull shape so well, for at one time we looked upon him as a player not up to Reading’s standard. The goal he scored was a beauty.
Whitworth, in goal, saved some stinging shots, but the general opinion was that he should have stopped one or two of the goals.
The display of the homesters, of course, delighted the crowd, who had been disappointed with their doings up to date.
After the first eight minutes, during which time Reading were “all over” them, and looked like scoring two or three goals, the Rangers opened fire, and from that time they always looked like a winning side.
Their shining light was Fletcher, formerly of Reading, who played a polished game. He is very clever with the ball and passes delightfully; the two first goals scored were the direct outcome of his work.
The other forwards also worked with a good understanding. The halves were fair, but the backs, especially Newlands, are by no means safe.
We make bold to say that had the Reading forwards played up to last Saturday’s form they would have beaten the Rangers’ defence half a dozen times.
The game needs little description. As we have said, eight minutes had elapsed when the Rangers broke through, and Ryder opened the scoring.
This reverse so early stimulated the Reading men a little, and some fast and vigorous play ensued.
On either wing a series of fine rushes were made, corners ensuing, from which, however, nothing accrued. Once the ball was driven in at a terrific pace, but Howes cleverly returned.
From that point the Rangers again improved, and with a second point being scored, in which White, Fletcher and Ryder figured, play proceeded more evenly until just on half-time, when Howes saved a sensational penalty kick at the instance of McCafferty, who had been brought down by Lyon when he looked certain to score.
With two goals in their favour the Rangers apparently relaxed their efforts slightly, but were yet able to hold their own despite occasional pressure, which was promptly dealt with.
Play had hardly been in progress for ten minutes when, in trying to score, Fletcher hit the post low down, and from the rebound Ryder smartly dashed in and scored.
Shortly after, however, it was the turn of Reading. Comrie sent in a hot shot, which Howes partially cleared, and Turnbull rushing up, landed the ball in the net.
Before proceedings were concluded, an unfortunate injury happened to Davies’s right leg.
The Rangers then forced a corner, and White dashed in and scored a splendid goal, the final score being; Queen’s Park Rangers four goals, Reading one goal.’
Rangers were then knocked out by Tottenham in the semi-finals.
Steve Russell
(Shown above is Rangers’ full-back, Frank Lyon. Thanks to Colin Woodley for sending me the match report)