Harry Stannard, who had been playing with a groin injury since the replayed F.A. Cup tie with Kingstonian, had seen a specialist during the week and been advised to rest. It was expected he would be unavailable for the next four weeks. Derek Clarke, who had joined a couple of months previously from Eastern Counties League club Gorleston had impressed enough in the strollers to merit a chance. Vic Bird also returned at the expense of Freddie Gauntlett.

In the first fifteen minutes Clapton rarely got out of their half. Jim Smith tested Moore early on and Jack Wallis followed with a great shot that went close. In the twenty-sixth minute Clarke’s clever pass allowed Jim Smith to open the scoring and five minutes later Charlie Smith worked an opening for Clarke, who made no mistake with a low drive that Moore had no chance of saving.


A penalty two minutes after the interval, given for handball, gave Ken Lister the opportunity to increase the Dons’ lead, which he took, but chances to go further ahead were wasted by over-playing near goal. For Clapton, Holmes and Seaborne started to make use of long clearances to the wings and in time Arthur Maggs brought down Holmes in the area, Rockenach reducing the arrears from the spot. Horton missed a good opportunity to close the gap, but the ball sailed over, then some brilliant interplay between Wallis and Lister send Bird through, but the keeper was equal to the resultant shot. Keeping up the pressure, Bird got the fourth with a headed from Charlie Smith’s cross and towards the end Clapton made the score more respectable when Maggs again brought down Holmes and Rockenback fired home his second penalty of the afternoon.