1945
Saturday, 26 January 1946
London Senior Cup - 1st Round
Plough Lane
 
Wimbledon
Alf Viard (2), Tom Laker, Harry Stannard
4 - 0
Dulwich Hamlet

For the visit of Dulwich Hamlet Gill returned vice Fennell and Harry Stannard, on leave from military duties, replaced Iles at centre-forward.

Gill and Fuller marked Jover, who had scored all four against the Dons in the earlier league game, out of the match, at the other end only the experienced defending of Robins, resolute keeping of Whitehead and first-half ineptitude of Laker kept the Wimbledon score down. Long stages of the half were spent with the home side applying pressure and Fuce twice went close before Laker shot lamely when put clean through by Stannard. The pressure was eventually rewarded with a goal, Smith freeing Stannard who finished at the second attempt. The visitors where overwhelmed and Whitehead twice made brilliant saves before Viard followed up a shot from Stannard to double the lead.

Wimbledon continued after the break in the same manner, Stannard prominent and Laker envigourated. Whitehead was tested by a low drive from the centre-forward and turned a Laker header for a corner, then scuttled across goal to stop a shot from Viard. When he was beaten, from another Laker header, Robins cleared off the line. Even Gill pushed forward and forced a great save from the Hamlet custodian. The visitors had a spell on the front foot, but Haydock and the defence stood firm and the ball was soon transferred to the other end. Smith's shot was turned around for a corner which Whitehead failed to deal with and Fuce fired home, but it was deemed offside. With ten minutes remaining the Dons increased the lead, Smith crossed the ball and Viard passed to Laker to score with a left footed drive. Wimbledon had saved the best until last and Fuce. Smith, Stannard and Laker combined to completely baffle the Dulwich defence and set up Viard who crashed the ball home.