This proved to be the heaviest defeat in West Ham’s history to that point. The Southern Charity Cup‑tie at Tottenham drew a crowd of 3,000, played in damp, cold conditions on a slippery surface. United fielded two reserves and were dealt a severe blow when Bamlett injured his leg and had to retire, leaving the Hammers to soldier on with only one recognised back. Spurs, at full strength, took full advantage and produced a superb first‑half display, racing into a four‑goal lead by the interval. West Ham might have helped themselves by reshuffling into a two‑back formation, and although Kingsley could perhaps have saved two of the goals, the remaining eight were unstoppable.
Tottenham’s opener arrived in the eighth minute: Kirwan burst away and centred for Woodward, who swept it in with his left foot. Soon after, Bamlett and Piercy made a mess of stopping another Woodward run, and the resulting collision forced Bamlett to the touchline. O’Hagan then finished a splendid solo effort for number two. A pass from Stansfield released Brearley, whose long shot found its way through a crowded goalmouth for the third. From a corner, Brearley added the fourth before half‑time.
The second half began with O’Hagan absent, having been injured in a clash with Piercy just before the break. Woodward marked his teammate’s return by firing in Tottenham’s fifth. The sixth came from the spot after Piercy deliberately tripped Woodward as he shaped to score; Tait converted his third successive penalty. Woodward then struck twice more, both the product of brilliant solo runs. O’Hagan netted the ninth, and Woodward, taking a pass from Stansfield, completed the rout to make it ten.
At the close, the Spurs received a rousing ovation from their supporters. Gate receipts amounted to £83.