It was played on 8 June 1940 and kicked off at 6.30pm despite fears that London would be bombed by the Luftwaffe.[2] The wartime crowd included wounded members of the BEF recently evacuated from Dunkirk. West Ham won the tie 1–0; the only goal coming from Sam Small in the 34th minute when he followed up a parried shot from George Foreman.[2][3][4][5][6]
As the match was played during wartime, no reception was held for the winning team. Some players went to the Boleyn public house on Green Street for a few pints whilst others returned immediately to their service units.[7]