1944
 
Monday, 02 April 1945
Charity
 
Merton
A Price, LB Fishlock (2)
3 (1) - (0) 2
Wimbledon
R Gardiner, Ken Meredith
In aid of the British Red Cross
1
Dean
2
EJ Crew
3
A Abbot
4
Lumsden
5
A Ford
6
TR Howell
7
F Burry
8
Orr
9
A Price
Goal
10
RW Cox
11
LB Fishlock
Goal Goal

The Dons second visit of the season to the John Innes ground was designated in aid of the British Red Cross charity and a big crowd was in attendance for this Easter Monday derby. Gardiner, who had last turned out for the Wimbledon first team in the 1933/34 season made a surprise return at centre-forward in place of the holidaying McGuire.

The game was fought at an astonishing pace, with accuracy sacrificed for speed, and the tackling was keen on both sides. The opening exchanges were even, with Taylor going close for the Dons and Laurie Fishlock, the Surrey and England cricketer, putting in a cross that evaded everyone. The game ebbed and flowed, Cains flinging himself full length to keep out Orr and Cox shooting wide on the turn for Merton, Dean evading a charge from Gardiner for the Dons, Burry forcing Cains into another save with a low drive, Pettyfer beating his man before shooting wide and Meredith having the ball taken off his toe as he shaped to score. Merton made the first breakthrough, Cox dribbling well and pulling it back for Fishlock to quickly drive it home. Trying to press home their advantage, Price had one ruled out for offside, Crew's free-kick and Orr's shot both went close, but it was the visitors that ended the half on the attack when Dean cleared a shot from Taylor.

Merton came out all guns blazing for the second period and it was only their profligacy in front of goal - Price twice and Burry missing chances -that kept the Dons within shouting distance. Back again came the visitors, Taylor heading just over and Meredith hitting the post from a good Smith free-kick, but it was Merton who extended their lead through Fishlock, rising high to head home Burry's corner. With the game slipping away the Dons re-arranged the front line with Taylor moving to inside-right, and it brought an instant reward when his pass found Gardiner who reduced the deficit. Meredith went close before drawing things level, heading a free-kick past Dean. With the game petering out to a draw Merton forced one last attack and when Price received the ball from Burry he placed it wide of the keeper to seal victory for the home side.