Southern League (Division One)
Team: Nicholls, Ovens, Pullen, Broster, Mitchell, Whyman, Thompson, Birch, Miller, Gregory, Ives
Attendance: 12,000
On 21st March 1914, Rangers took on Millwall at Park Royal. The following match report appeared six days later:
‘Whenever Millwall and Queen’s Park Rangers have met on a dry ground, the game has been keen and exciting, but the match on Saturday at Park Royal was quite the reverse.
Rain fell in such quantities that the referee had grave doubts as to whether the fixture should be played at all, but eventually he decided that the ground was fit.
Neither team was at full strength, the Rangers playing two reserve men and the “Lions” introducing G. Porter into the attack. Williams was rested in favour of Davis, but it was apparent that he had not yet shaken off the effects of his recent indisposition
Millwall were first to find their feet, and an early attack was made on the Rangers’ goal.
No goal resulted, but, on the other hand, the home team began to press and make things rather uncomfortable for Millwall. Ives and Gregory nearly scored.
After a while, Davis, who was being well fed by the wing men, tried to get through, but he was not successful.
It would have been better, perhaps, if the wingers had tried more first-time shots, for Davis was not given much latitude.
After twenty minutes play, the home team scored through Gregory. Orme got to the ball, but it was greasy and entered the net.
After this the Rangers played up strongly and Orme was severely tested on several occasions.
At the other end, Millwall tried hard to score, but the interval arrived with the Rangers leading by a goal to nil.
In the second half, Millwall bombarded the home goal, but without success. Davis was given offside on several occasions.
Just at this time rain began to fall, and the pitch, which had been bad became much worse.
Both sides were put off their game, and no further goals were scored.
In the closing stages Millwall appealed for a penalty, but the referee would not allow it.
When the final whistle blew the result was in favour of the Rangers by the only goal scored.’
Rangers went on to beat Portsmouth by the same score-line, and once again John Gregory was the scorer.
Steve Russell
(Thanks to Colin Woodley for digging out the match report. Shown above are William Thompson and Ben Ives)