90 Years Ago - Remembering Cheltenham's 12-0 F.A. Cup Victory
TOWN OVERRUN CHIPPENHAM
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THREE GOALS IN FOUR MINUTES IN CUP-TIE
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JONES' HAT-TRICK BEFORE INTERVAL
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12-NIL VICTORY
CHELTENHAM TOWN had a strong side in the field at Whaddon-road to-day for their F. A. Cup-tie with Chippenham Rovers.
Victory for Cheltenham to-day meant qualification for the fourth and final qualifying round of the competition, the round immediately preceding the first round proper.
Chippenham were the third Wiltshire side Cheltenham have met in the Cup this season.
The Rovers, who compete in the Wiltshire League, have enjoyed several successes in the Amateur Cup, and came determined to give Cheltenham a hard fight, and, if possible, succeed where other Wiltshire clubs had been beaten.
Chippen (sic) were not lacking in support for their important engagement to-day. About 500 of their supporters made the journey to Cheltenham.
The weather during the morning was dull, but improved shortly after noon, and there was promise of a big crowd to see the game.
Cheltenham were without Emery, their regular goalkeeper, and Bowles deputised.
This was the onlv change in the team that won 7-1 at Evesham last week.
Teams:- Cheltenham Town: Bowles; Whitehouse, Williams; Lang, Devonport, Partridge; Perkins, Hackett, Jones, Black, Griffiths.
Chippenham Rovers: Jenkins; Waite, Martin; Silk, Burry, Weston; Holley, Jones, Warne, Fenner, Farmer.
Both teams received a warm welcome on taking the field. Lang had the good fortune to win the toss, and Warne kicked off for the visitors against wind and sun.
CHELTENHAM START WELL
Cheltenham went to the attack, and following a clever back-heeled pass by Jones, Black got in a stinging shot in the first two minutes.
Hackett, Jones, and Black were concerned in a passing movement which had the Chippenham defenders guessing, and Jones got in attempt which Jenkins did well to hold.
Jones was prominent a moment later with another rousing shot.
Chippenham were penned in their own half, and Jenkins distinguished himself with a fine save when confronted by a trio of Cheltenham forwards.
Such pressure was bound to reap reward, and this came after seven minutes' play.
A thoughtful piece of play by Partridge produced the goal. The left half coolly tricked an opponent and centred to Hackett, who passed to BLACK. The last named shot without hesitation, and the ball sailed high into the far top corner of the net - a perfect shot.
Chippenham replied with a couple of long-passing movements, and Bowles was called upon to handle two long shots.
Back went Cheltenham to the Chippenham goal, and a sparkling move all but brought another goal.
Hackett sent Perkins away, and from the winger's centre Partridge smashed in hard, low drive, which was magnificently saved by Jenkins.
Cheltenham were playing brilliant football, and their combination reached a standard not shown before.
Hackett swept out a perfect pass to Perkins, and the winger made thrilling run before being robbed in front of goal.
The Town continued to dominate play, and Jones drew a grand save from Jenkins with a shot finely taken on the run.
BOWLES' DARING SAVE
Chippenham made a dangerous rush which caught the home backs out of position, but the situation was relieved by Bowies diving the feet of an opponent to bring off daring save. The goalkeeper was injured in preventing a score on this occasion.
The Town, playing football of a high order, continued to have the better of the game Several chances were missed owing to the forwards shooting too high, but there was a crispness and accuracy about their work which was pleasing to see.
After a brilliant piece of trickery, Hackett crashed beautiful drive against the upright. The ball rebounded to Perkins, who centred for Jones to head in.
A Chippenham defender used his fist to prevent the ball entering the net, and the referee had no hesitation in awarding Cheltenham a penalty. The kick was taken by BLACK, who gave Jenkins no chance.
Within a minute Cheltenham had secured a third goal.
Griffiths centred well from an awkward position, and JONES nodded the ball into the net.
Three minutes later JONES seized opportunity to score a fourth goal when short pass was pushed through to him.
RAPID FIRE
Three goals had thus been scored in the space of four minutes - eloquent testimony to the attractive and thrustful football which Cheltenham were playing.
The forwards were playing their most effective and stylish football of the season and were receiving good support from their half-backs.
After 37 minutes JONES completed a splendid hat trick by scoring Cheltenham's fifth goal.
Griffiths placed a corner kick to Hackett, who passed to Jones and the centre-forward made no mistake.
Half-time
Cheltenham Town – 5
Chippenham - 0
Play had scarcely been restarted than Chippenham had the misfortune lose Bilk, their right-half, who had to be carried off after heading the ball.
Perkins missed a good chance of scoring when he was slow to shoot, with the goalkeeper on the ground after saving from Griffiths.
Within ten minutes of resuming, however, Cheltenham had registered their sixth goal.
TWO "HAT TRICKS"
Jones was fouled when breaking through near the touch-line. Lang took the kick and dropped the ball perfectly for JONES to head past Jenkins.
A dashing run by Perkins ended in the young right winger slipping good pass inside to BLACK, who netted to complete his "hat trick."
Within five minutes Jones was fouled in dash for goal and GRIFFITHS scored the Town's eighth from the resultant penalty kick.
Three minutes later, clever play on the left flank ended in PARTRIDGE scoring with low cross shot.
This goal was followed the return of Silk who received a sympathetic round of applause.
Final
Cheltenham Town - 12
Chippenham - 0
Gloucestershire Echo, Saturday 2nd November 1935
https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000320/19351102/057/0006
Some photographs of the match were published in the Cheltenham Chronicle and Gloucestershire Graphic on 9th November 1935 and are available through the Cheltenham Local History Society database - page 8 of the linked pdf.