West Ham United were decidedly  fortunate to have such attractive visitors as the Cup finalists, Huddersfield Town, for the opening match of the season, and although the blazing sunshine and intense heat were not conducive to good football, the players furnished a bright and attractive display. In the first hall especially the pace was exceptionally fast and the play of a high standard, and although, as was to be expected, it deteriorated after the interval, it was always interesting to watch. On the run of the game West  Ham were deserved winners by the odd goal in three. Yet it cannot be truly said that they were the better team, for as a combination, Huddersfield possessed that touch of superior class in all their movements, except in front of goal. Clever in midfield, the inside forwards lacked driving force in the vicinity of the goal. Mangnall failed as a leader through his habit of stopping the ball instead of taking it in his stride, and the attack rarely gave promise of goals. 
On the other band, Watson the home leader,  was always dangerous when in possession and he played an important part in the United’s victory. Had the visitors possessed a centre-forward of his calibre, then they would not have been sent empty away. For the greater part of the game defence was superior to the attack, and although both goals were visited rapidly in turn, the forwards were unable to force direct openings. True, Ruffell missed a splendid opportunity from Watson's pass and the centre-forward had a goal disallowed for a foul by Yews; but neither goalkeeper was seriously tested It came as a surprise when, five minutes before the interval, Jackson opened the scoring for Huddersfield, shooting through from close range after Mangnall had back-heeled the ball to him.  

Within three minutes West Ham were on level terms, for Earle passed through smartly to Watson. who took the ball on the run and sent it fast and low into the corner of the net. In the second half the heat took its toll of the players, and the play, confined mostly to midfield, fell far below the precious standard. When 30 minutes had elapsed and a draw seemed inevitable. James swung the ball out to Yews, who centred for Watson to head the winning goal. Immediately afterwards Cox, who, owing to a leg injury, had played for a few minutes at outside-right, retired from the game. Barrett dropped into the left-back position with Earle as the centre-half, but although Huddersfield pressed continuously to the end, they were unable to pierce the defence and save a point. West Ham won, but their display, particularly in attack, was not entirely satisfactory.

Too much reliance was placed upon the raids of Watson and Ruffell, with the left-winger below his normal form. James made many clever passes to Watson and Ruffell, but neither Earle nor he took a fair share of the attack in the visiting goal-mouth. In defence the Hammers were strong, with Cox, until his injury, Cadwell and Collin, the leading lights. So well did they perform their task that Dixon had very little work to do. Huddersfield, too, were particularly strong in defence. for Turner kept goal in a polished manner, and Goodall and Spence kicked and tackled magnificently. Campbell was the pick of a sound intermediate trio, in fact, he was the best half-back on the field. In attack Kelly and Jackson took the honours, although the outside-right was too closely watched to do much damage. Smith was always dangerous when in possession, but he might, with advantage, gone in search of the ball occasionally.