1946
Saturday, 18 January 1947
F.A. Amateur Cup - 1st Round
 
Eastbourne
?
2 - 4
Wimbledon
Pat Edelston (2), Les Birkbeck, Tom Laker

Sailor Clark came back in for Jones and Head returned to the front line with Douglas travelling as a reserve along with Cannon and Nash. The major, Councillor Cyril Black travelled to the match with the team and a large number of travelling fans were in attendance.

For the first half an hour Eastbourne looked determined to win and should have built up a winning score in that time and that they were only one goal ahead by was mostly down to the defensive work of Clark, Wallis and Cousins and the goalkeeping of Haydock. The solitary goal came after eighteen minutes when Kenyon headed in a good goal from Taylor’s centre. Wimbledon finally got going and Magill put in a shot that that Laker headed goalwards, but Hutchinson was able to tip the ball over the bar. Birkbeck then shot against the post with the keeper beaten before, after thirty-eight minutes, the visitors equalised, Edelston rounded Gold and crossed for Birkbeck, who’s shot deflected off the left-back and into the net. A brilliant run from Kenyon ended in a shot that rolled a foot wide and Taylor struck the crossbar, Kenyon failing to convert the rebound

A heart to heart during the break appeared to have galvanised the Dons into action and soon after the break Stannard forced a corner with a surprise shot. Birkbeck found Laker with the kick, but his shot was charged down. He regained control and passed to Stannard who put the ball in the net but was adjudged offside. The forwards kept up the pressure and with seventy minutes gone Head played in Edelston and the Dons had the lead. Gold over-hit a back pass that had Hutchinson scrambling to save, and Kenyon made Haydock save and Wallis clear in quick succession. Laker increased the lead from close range after receiving the ball from Edelston and beating several defenders, and the keeper made several good saves before Edelston sealed the victory with seven minutes left, his shot hitting the foot of a post and rebounding back off the keeper and into goal. In the final minute Kenyon headed in a cross from Cornwell for Eastbourne’s second, but it was soon all over and the Dons were through to the next round.