PORTSMOUTH : FA Cup (Sixth Round)
Fratton Park
2 - 3 (Barrett 2)
2 March 1929
Att: 39,088

Hufton

Hodgson

Earl

Collins

Smailes

Cadwell

Yews

Earle

Watson

Barrett

Ruffell

At Fratton Park, Portsmouth, in mild and sunny weather before an attendance which looked like easily breaking the ground record. There was a sensational start, Portsmouth taking the lead within the first minute. Portsmouth's Watson put Cook away on the left wing, and from the latter's pass Smith secured and beath Hufton with a lightning, first-time shot. West Ham had a turn on the attack, and Thackeray cleared in the goal area. Following a spell of even play Portsmouth again attacked, and scored again through Cook, who cut in and beat Hufton with a shot which found the far corner of the net away from the West Ham 'keeper.
West Ham were occasionally dangerous, and attempts by Earle were held up by Mackie. After 28 minutes' play Portsmouth went further ahead through Weddle, following a clever piece of combination between Forward, Smith and Cook.
West Ham rallied and took the play right into the penalty area, where Barrett was brought down, but a strong appeal for a penalty by the visitors was ignored. Towards the interval Thackeray was injured, but resumed.
Ruffell was West Ham's most dangerous raider in this half, but he lacked support. Portsmouth kept up the pressure on resuming, and Forward headed into Hufton's hands. West Ham then attacked strongly, and first Gilfillan and then Mackie cleared dangerous situations in the goalmouth.
A moment later Portsmouth were again attacking the West Ham goal, and only faulty shooting prevented them going further ahead. Eventually Smith sent a weak shot just wide. In a further West Ham rally Mackie saved a desperate situation with Gilfillan out of goal. West Ham then made a change, Barrettt going up to centre-forward. This livened up the stacks, and after 72 minutes Barrett, taking the ball from Earle, found a gap in the home defence, and scored with a hard, low shot. Nine minutes later, from a brilliant centre by Yews, Barrett headed a second goal, but despite desperate efforts and continuous pressure the London side were unable to equalise. Their recovery in the second half merited great praise.