REDS

(Ashton [pen], Randall, Webb)

Geggus

Shreeve

Fairman

Piercy

Massey

Randall

Ashton

Shea

Webb

Blackburn

Caldwell

GREENS

(Kennedy 2, Butcher, Curtis)

Dawson

Lavery

A.N Other (1)

Whiteman

A.N Other (2)

?

Miellar

Butcher

Kennedy

Curtis

Waggott

West Ham United's public trial game attracted a crowd of 7,000 spectators to the Boleyn Castle enclosure, and a fine game was witnessed l between the Reds (first team) and the Greens (reserves). The result was again a surprise for spectators and players, fer the second string got home by four goals to three, and if they were not quite so clever as the first eleven they deserved the win for the manner in which they tackled the better known men. With the exception of Geggus for Kitchen in goal, the first eleven were exactly as last season, and the most promising new men were placed on the other side. It, was four o'clock before a start was made, and at first it was thought that the game would be a walk-over for the Reds, but the Greens were evidently out to chow that they were by no means content to play second fiddle. The first goal came from a penalty kick, taken by Ashton, and so surprised were the spectators to see a penalty scored that they gave the little outside right quite an ovation for his success. Whiteman was the offending player, he handling within the area. Then Webb came along with a second point in his customary taking style, and when another penalty kick was awarded it was thought that the game was over bar shouting, but on this occasion Shea missed. Then Curtis put on a goal for the Greens, but the first eleven were not to be denied, and Randall added a third for them. The Greens were playing with a little better understanding, and when Kennedy neatly headed past Geggus from Waggott's centre, the supporters of the Reserves gave vent to their enthusiasm, and just before the interval Butcher gave them further cause for rejoicing by a nice equaliser, and the teams crossed over on level terms.

The second half was full of incident, but only one goal was scored, and this was the result of clever work by Meillear, who worked through and placed the ball for Kennedy to beat Geggus and give the Greens the victory. It was an excellent game, played with spirit and cleverness, and everybody was satisfied with the form of the men. It was made apparent that the first eleven are in good form, hitt they will have to keep it up if they are to retain their places. Geggus was not to blame for the defeat, and Shreeve and Fairman were as usual, the former dashing and energetic, and the latter cool and resourceful. Massey, Piercy and Randall were on their beat behaviour, whilst Ashton, Shea, Webb, Blackburn, and Caldwell reproduced that agility and understanding which enabled them to do so well last year. Of the Reserves, Waggott and Whiteman, who are not new men, did well, whilst Meillear and Butcher showed splendid understanding, and made a wing which will seriously rival Ashton and Webb. Kennedy, a schoolmaster front Grays, is a strong, agile centre-forward, tricky and a good shot, and he also will have serious claims to recognition on the selection committee.