What better way to start ‘Highbury Highlights’ than with Arsenal’s first game at the ground?
It came at the beginning of the 1913-14 season and Leicester Fosse were the visitors. Despite their move north of the Thames, the Club kept “Woolwich” at the start of their name until the back end of that campaign.
This was a second division fixture after Arsenal’s relegation at the end of the previous campaign. Benfield put Leicester ahead in the first half but George Jobey nodded in the equaliser before the break from Winship’s corner. Devine secured the points for Arsenal in front of a crowd numbering 20,000 from the penalty spot with 12 minutes to go after a Leicester defender handled.
The game was marred by an injury to Jobey. He received a kick in the back and was attended to by doctors and ambulancemen. He was later transported back to his house on a cart borrowed from a local milkman.
Woolwich Arsenal 2-1 Leicester Fosse
Saturday, September 6, 1913. Division Two. Highbury.
Goals: Woolwich Arsenal: Jobey 45, Devine 78 (pen). Leicester Fosse: Benfield 20
Woolwich Arsenal: Lievesley, Shaw, Fidler, Grant, Sands, McKinnon, Greenaway, Hardinge, Jobey, Devine, Winship.
Leicester Fosse: R.G. Brebner, Clay, Currie, D.S. McWhirter, Harrold, Burton, Douglas, Mills, Sparrow, Benfield, Waterall.
Attendance: 20,000
Referee: J.H. Pearson
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