1946
Saturday, 14 September 1946
Isthmian League
Plough Lane
 
Wimbledon
Pat Edelston (3), Ron Head, Tom Laker, Jimmy Nash, Harry Stannard
7 - 2
Ilford
?

Ron Head had sufficiently recovered to take his place in a full-strength line-up that was strongly fancied to beat a team who had drawn their first two Isthmian League matches.

And so it proved as the Dons eased to a resounding victory. They were in irresistible form right from the start and Laker, the pick of the forwards, soon made their intentions clear, beating three men and setting up Stannard, but the usually reliable forward missed from close range. Nash then forced Mason into a clearance as Edelston threatened, but with ten minutes gone the lead was secured, Nash converting a chance presented by Head. Ilford looked dangerous on the break and Haydock, looking much more confident than in previous weeks, dived bravely at the feet of Regan and made a brilliant save from Birtchen's goalward header from a corner. At the other end Stannard twice narrowly failed to reach crosses from Laker before Edelston increased the lead, heading through Stannard's cross after good approach play from Nash. Several more chances came the way of the home attack, but nothing further was scored before the interval.

There were goals galore in the second half. Immediately after the break Stannard took full advantage of a pass from Head to increase the home lead, and ten minutes in Edelston put Wimbledon further ahead, beating the keeper to a cross from Douglas. With fifteen minutes to go the floodgates opened. First Birtchen scored for the visitors after Jennings broke, then Laker received a pass from Head and beat three defenders (again!) before slamming the ball in off the underside of the bar. Birtchen then chased a seemingly lost cause to centre for Winch to score easily, then Head responded with a well taken goal from Stannard's cross. Edelston secured his hat-trick in the closing minutes to put the icing on the cake.