SATURDAY 25TH SEPTEMBER, 1948
HUDDERSFIELD TOWN 2 (Nightingale, Smith) SUNDERLAND 0 23,035
Wheeler; Hayes, Stewart (H); Hunter, Hepplewhite, Boot;
McKenna, Nightingale, Whittingham, Smith (C), Metcalfe;
Mapson; Stelling, Hudgell; Watson, Hall, Wright (A);
Duns, Robinson, Turnbull, Shackleton, Reynolds;
Huddersfield, following a good draw at Villa Park last week, did very well to inflict on Sunderland only their second defeat of the season. Without skipper Peter Doherty, the two inside forwards both did well, scoring a goal each in the first half. Nightingale's goal was a beauty and young Conway Smith improves with every game. McKenna also impressed at outside right, but there is room for improvement from left back Harry Stewart.
Albert Nightingale scores for Town
For Sunderland Yorkshire cricketer Willie Watson had a good game, but last season's record £20,000 signing, Len Shackleton from Newcastle, had little to offer. This was Watson's first game after a long running dispute with the club. He was the only Sunderland man to play consistently throughout the game.
The next game was my first visit to Elland Road for two years, since moving from Leeds to Huddersfield and it was good to have a change of scene for once.
SATURDAY 2ND OCTOBER, 1948
LEAGUE DIVISION TWO AT ELLAND ROAD, LEEDS
LEEDS UNITED 1 (Marsh) WEST BROMWICH ALBION 3 (Williams 2, Walsh) 38, 500
Lomas; Dunn, Milburn; McCabe, Holley (capt), McAdam;
Cochrane, Marsh, Burden, Chisholm, Heaton;
Sanders; Cox, Kinsell; Millard, Vernon (capt), Hood;
Elliot, Williams, Walsh, Haines, Barker;
Leeds were without their goalscoring centre forward, Albert Wakefield, and tried their recent signing from Chester, Tommy Burden - normally a wing half, in that position.
They also gave young goalkeeper Lomas, who is on trial, his first league appearance. Albion also made an experiment , trying Kinsell, normally a full back, on the left wing. This move was hardly a success, but even so the visitors with their two Irish internationals Vernon and Walsh outstanding, won confortably with two goals from inside right Cyril Williams and one from Walsh.
Marsh, normally an outside left signed from Winsford United in the Cheshire League last week, cleverly scored United's goal. Lomas was not at fault with any of the Albion goals which all resulted from bad covering in defence. Jim Sanders was outstanding making good saves from the powerful Chisholm, Cochrane and Burden, who also hit the bar, as well as saving a penalty from Milburn. Young McAdam gave a plucky display playing on with a badly cut forehead for much of the game.
Yorkshire Sports report.
Although Leeds had more of the play in the opening stages there was more neatness than thrust about their work, and they tended to concentrate too much on the left flank. When they did attack on the right Marsh came into the picture by forcing a corner and then shooting slightly too high in the melee that followed. It was not until McAdam was off the field with a head injury that Albion had much to show in attack.
It was while McAdam was absent that the Albion went ahead in their first real attack. A free kick by Millard found Williams unmarked and the inside right headed across Lomas into the corner of the net for a totally unexpected goal. Leeds began to improve when McAdam returned heavily bandaged, but their passes lacked accuracy and only Burden, with a clever volley, caused Sanders much trouble.
When West Bromwich added a second goal after 23 minutes poor defence let them through. Walsh being unmarked when he scored. Although United played with plenty of effort their attempts at goal were feeble. Both Cochrane and Chisholm were well wide of the mark and none of the other forwards could force an opening. Williams scored a third goal for West Bromwich after 41 minutes. H.T. 0-3.
After Holley had nearly put through his own goal on the resumption, United began to hit back, mainly through aggresive work by Chisholm and Heaton on the left. The best effort was made by Heaton who shot narrowly over after a Chisholm/McCabe move thrust, but generally there was too little cohesion about the home attack.
In defence Leeds found Cox and Vernon awkward customers who refused to be rattled. Marsh scorned a consolation goal for Leeds and Milburn missed a penalty. Attendance 33,000.
SATURDAY 9TH OCTOBER, 1948 Attendance 19,383
HUDDERSFIELD TOWN 1 (Hassall) STOKE CITY 3 (Bowyer, Mountford (G), Baker)
Wheeler; Hayes, Stewart (H); Hunter, Hepplewhite, Boot;
McKenna, Glazzard, Whittingham, Hassall, Metcalfe;
Herod; Mould, McCue; Mountford (F), Jones, Sellars;
Mountford (G), Bowyer, Steele, Caton, Baker;
After a 7-1 hammering at Wolves last week, Town were looking desperately for some improvement. However, without both Nightingale and Doherty, they found it difficult against a very solid Stoke side. Even though centre half Neil Franklin was away playing for England. Centre forward Freddie Steele led the line well, laying on chances for his other forwards.
With only a few minutes left young inside forward Harold Hassall scored to put Town level, but two very late goals saw Stoke take the points.
SATURDAY 23RD OCTOBER, 1948 Attendance 20,819
LEAGUE DIVISION ONE AT LEEDS ROAD, HUDDERSFIELD
HUDDERSFIELD TOWN 0 PRESTON NORTH END 2 (Beattie, McLaren) ATTENDANCE 20,819
Mills; Hayes, Stewart (H); Hunter, Heppelwhite, Boot;
McKenna, Nightingale, Whittingham, Smith, Metcalfe;
Newlands; Brown, Scott; Shankly, Corbett, Horton;
Bogan, McLaren, McIntosh, Beattie, Langton;
Referee:- G. Gibson, Urmston.
Town, encouraged by a 2-1 win at Burnley last week, thanks to two second half goals from Vic Metcalfe, were hopeful of picking up two more points against fellow relegation strugglers Preston. In fact, the visitors brought off their first win of the season and scored their first goal at Huddersfield since 1938. The absence of Tom Finney (injured) added to the number of Scots in the Preston side, making a total of eight. Mills returned after injury for Town, but the lack of a goalscoring centre forward is still the main weakness. Skipper Peter Doherty was also absent with an injury.
According to the Yorkshire Post Town were a well beaten side everywhere except in the League Table, where both teams now have ten points from fourteen games. There was a world of difference between the cool method of North End's experienced Shankly and the two goalscorers, Beattie and McLaren, and the scrambling get rid of it at any price tactics of Town. It must be noted however that both Preston goals were flukes.
Yorkshire Sports match report.
A foul enabled North End to gain a foothold in the Town penalty area. Langton dribbled cleverly, and looked dangerous until Hunter stopped him with a masterly tackle. Playing forceful football, Hunter set Town's attack moving, but McKenna's inside pass was intercepted. North End broke away and McLaren got the ball into the net, but the whistle had gone for offside. Scott was forces to concede a corner when Town put in a hot attack. Play was hard but lacking in constructive movements.
A quick inter passing movement between Nightingale and McKenna ended in the latter testing Newlands. Clever movements by North End tested the Town's defence. Hunter, who was in his best form, twice held up Beattie and Langton. On Preston's other wing Bogan ended a fine run with a shot which tested Mills, who fumbled the ball but recovered quickly.
Preston took the lead when Beattie skilfully eluded three opponents, selling the dummy to Hepplewhite and the shot between Hayes legs, beating Mills with a magnificent drive from twenty five yards. Mills ran out and saved an awkward situation by conceding a corner to prevent Langton going through. He then fisted out a fine header by McLaren.
In a Town raid McKenna made a god opening for Whittingham who headed over when unmarked. Borwn was in good form for Preston and keeping a close watch on Metcalfe, who was getting few opportunities. Half time 0-1.
Smith made a fine individual effort for Town, beating several men and then forcing Newlands to dive full length. North End rushed away and from twenty five yards McLaren beat Mills, who let the ball slip out of his hands into the net. Whittingham twice tried to reduce the arrears, but Newlands saved by diving and then by fisting awy. The goalkeeper also made a good save when Hayes took a free kick. Final score Huddersfield 0 Preston North End 2.
SATURDAY 6TH NOVEMBER, 1948
LEAGUE DIVISION ONE AT LEEDS ROAD, HUDDERSFIELD
HUDDERSFIELD TOWN 3 (Doherty 2, Nightingale) CHELSEA 4 (Bentley, Williams, McInnes, Whittaker o.g.) Attendance 18,963
Mills; Hayes, Stewart (H); Hunter, Boot, Whittaker;
McKenna, Nightingale, Glazzard, Doherty, Metcalfe;
Pickering; Bathgate, Hughes; Goulden, Harris (capt), Macauley;
Campbell, Williams, Bentley, Bowie, McInnes;
Referee:- F.S. Milner, Blackburn.
This exciting game marked the debut of wing half Bill Whittaker, signed for £10,000 from Charlton to bring some experience to the Town half-backs in place of the very promising David Hunter. Whittaker was extremely unfortunate to be credited with an own goal which won the match for Chelsea. In fact he simply touched a ball already on it's way into the net and would not have gone into the record books but for a statement by the referee.
The goal which should have been prevented was an earlier one, when the goalkeeper lost the ball from a right wing centre and allowed an easy tap in goal. The return of Peter Doherty made a big difference in attack, but Town's problems in defence continue. However, it was a thrilling match and a shame such a poor crowd witnessed the rare feat of three goals from the home side. A draw would perhaps have been a fairer result.
Yorkshire Sports match report.
Both teams wore black armbands as a mark of respect for Mr. J.C. Battye, a Huddersfield Town director who died on Wednesday. In the first minute, Metcalfe forced Bathgate to concede a corner. After Pickering had kicked over a fine header by Doherty, the goalkeeper cleared the next corner.
Chelsea started an attack on the left but Boot stopped Williams. A mistake by Stewart gave McInnes a chance but he was in too much of a hurry and shot wide.
A great run by McKenna thrilled the crowd. As he neared the penalty area he passed to Glazzard but Harris nipped in and cleared. Enterprising play by McKenna led to a determined Town assault, and Chelsea cleared with difficulty. Williams and McInnes transferred play, by beautiful footwork, and Mills brought off a good save from Williams. Campbell got the ball into the net after a goalmouth scramble but the referee, after consulting a linesman, disallowed the point and gave Town a free kick.
A few minutes later Bentley put Chelsea ahead with a hard, rising shot. After McKenna had led Town back to the attack, shots by Glazzard, Doherty and Metcalfe were blocked. In the thirty fifth minute Doherty equalised from a penalty. Metcalfe had carried play to the Chelsea end, and Hughes handled his centre which would have gone to Nightingale. Chelsea were soon besieging the Town goal again. Mills had much more to do than Pickering . He saved finely from Bowie as the interval drew near.
Half time 1-1.
Town attacked with vigour on the resumption and Metcalfe twice shot hard and true, Pickering saving brilliantly each time. At the other end Mills dived low and stopped a good drive from Bowie. Doherty had a chance but shot weakly. Glazzard also had an opportunity but shot wide as Pickering ran out.
In a Chelsea raid Mills lost the ball and Williams pushed it into the net to put Chelsea ahead after sixty minutes. McInnes then scored a third goal for Chelsea but Town fought back to equalise with goals from Nightingale and Doherty. Four minutes from time Bentley shot and the ball went into the net off the unfortunate Whittaker. Huddersfield Town 3 Chelsea 4.
SATURDAY 13TH NOVEMBER, 1948
LEAGUE DIVISION TWO AT ELLAND ROAD, LEEDS
LEEDS UNITED 1 (Browning) FULHAM 1 (Thomas R) Attendance 26,500
Fearnley; Dunn, Milburn; McCabe, Holley (capt), McAdam;
Cochrane, Burden, Browning, Chisholm, Heaton;
Flack; Freeman, Bacuzzi; Quested, Taylor, Beasley (capt);
Thomas (S), Thomas (R), Stevans, Jezzard, McDonald;
Referee:- G. Salmon, Stoke on Trent.
The young Leeds centre forward, Len Browning, who is keeping Albert Wakefield in the reserves, was the star of the Leeds forward line. He scored their only goal and went close on several other occasions. After four wins in a row Fulham looked a very useful side and after a goal less first half, they more than held their own in the second half and fully deserved a point. Fulham's captain Pat Beasley had played for Huddersfield Town before the war and his wing half partner, Len Quested, was also to join Town a few years later.
Two of the Leeds team have selected to play for Ireland against Scotland on Wednesday. They are wing half McCabe, who gets his first cap, and outside right Davy Cochrane.
Caption for this picture from the Yorkshire Evening News reads as follows:-
Leeds United nearly took Fulham by surprise with a whirlwind start at Elland Road this afternoon. Chisholm, United's dashing Scot, is harassing Flack, the visiting goal keeper, after Burden had fired in a good shot. The effect of the heavy rain can been seen in the muddy state of the Fulham goalmouth.
Yorkshire Sports match report.
Heavy rain effected the attendance at Elland Road where visitors Fulham had four successive victories to their credit opposed a Leeds United team unchanged in the last four games. Both teams adopted the right tactics of swinging the ball about freely. Fulham were soon defending after a quick thrust by Leeds on the right. A movement started by McAdam gave Burden the chance of a long shot. Flack could only parry the ball and Chisholm made a brave attempt to force the ball through on the rebound.
When Fulham hit back Bob Thomas was just foiled by a Milburn clearance. His namesake also came into the picture with a forceful run. Bob Thomas shot low and hard, but Fearnley saved cleanly. Leeds began to dominate the game, but it was not often that Flack was in serious difficulty. Borwning made the best effort to beat him, finishing a speedy run on the left with a powerful angled drive which the goalkeeper did well to save.
Towards the interval Leeds did everything but score. Flack saved brilliant from McCabe and Chisholm. Heaton should have beaten him, but dallied. Half time 0-0.
The game continued to be fought at high speed during the second half, with each goal under pressure. After Cochrane had missed a good chance by slicing his shot, Browning scored for Leeds after fifty six minutes. However Thomas (R) equalised for Fulham soon afterwards. Final score 1-1.
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