SATURDAY 18TH MARCH 1950
LEAGUE DIVISION THREE SOUTH AT FELLOWS PARK, WALSALL
WALSALL 3 (Devlin 2, Foulkes) NOTTS COUNTY 3 ((Lawton, Johnston, Simpson)
Lewis; Jones, Walter; Crutchley, Russon, Green;
McMorran, Dearson, Foulkes, Devlin, Betts;
Smith; Deans, Rigby; Simpson, Baxter, Adamson;
Broome, Chapman, Lawton, Evans, Johnston;
Referee:- G.L. Illife, Leicester Attendance 19,589
A huge crowd, by Walsall's standards, was there to see just one man - the legendary Tommy Lawton regular centre forward for England in the immediate post war years.
His sensational move from Chelsea to Third Division Notts County in 1947 shocked the soccer world. His first appearance at Fellows Park in 1948 had set the ground record of 20,283 which was almost equalled today.
County who had fast become the top club in Nottingham also included another former international Frank Broome, previously with Aston Villa, in their ranks. Walsall continued with the experiment of playing centre half Reg Foulkes at centre forward and included a new signing Welsh international Don Dearson, from Coventry City.
Walsall,cheered on by the large crowd shook the league leaders with some splendid football and raced into a 3-0 lead, thanks to goals from leading scorer Johnny Devlin and another from skipper Reg Foulkes.
However, it was too good to last and with only fifteen minutes remaining, Tommy Lawton, who else, rose to head a typically brilliant goal from a left wing cross. This inspired the visitors and two further goals in the last few minutes saw them earn a point which their earlier display scarcely warranted.
Notts County with Tommy Lawton centre of front row
Report from Sports Argus.
Walsall were soon on the attack and after a fine run down the left by Betts, Foulkes was just inches away from reaching his cross in front of goal. However within five minutes the Saddlers were ahead.
Dearson, showing great ball control, went round three men before putting the ball into the middle where Devlin dashed in and scored. Walsall continued to press and Baxter earned a cheer from the County support when he cleared another attack.
Lawton was of course the constant danger man for County but Ron Russon, the Walsall centre half was playing well and gave him few opportunities. During the first half hour Lewis in the Walsall goal was not called upon much except for a couple of saves from headers from Lawton and then Johnston. Two minutes before the interval Devlin headed in a free kick to give the home side a 2-0 lead.
The County team piled on the pressure in the second half but the home defenders continued to hold out with more sterling work from Jack Lewis in goal. Lawton always looked dangerous and after a series of corners Lewis was yet again the hero. Finally a goal looked certain when Lawton, after shaking off Russon broke through and had the goal at his mercy but Lewis managed to stick out a foot to save. The rebound went to Broome and Lewis down on his knees saved again.
From the goalkeeper's clearance Betts went away down the left. The ball went to Foulkes who beat a couple of defenders before sending a high shot towards the corner of the goal. Smith got his hands to the ball and slowed it down, but it bounced slowly into the net while the goalkeeper was still on the ground. So 63 minutes gone and the home side looked home and dry with a three goal lead.
Suddenly County broke away and Lawton was there with a perfectly timed jump to leap high and head in one of his trade mark goals. Soon afterwards he nearly added another but Lewis again saved with his outstretched foot. Only ten minutes remained but four minutes later County scored again, Lawton nodded the ball on to Johnston who headed it home. 3-2 now and all to play for.
Towards the end Lawton called all the County players, with the exception of goal keeper Smith, into the Walsall penalty area for a corner kick which went outside, but after non-stop pressure a fine shot from Simpson gave the visitors an equaliser with just three minutes to go. They had scored three goals in seven minutes, what a thrilling finish to a totally thrilling game.
SATURDAY 1ST APRIL 1950
LEAGUE DIVISION THREE SOUTH AT FELLOWS PARK, WALSALL
WALSALL 1 (Devlin) IPSWICH TOWN 3 (McGrory, Pole 2)
Lewis; Jones, Walters; Crutchley, Russon, Green;
McMorran, Dearson, Chapman, Devlin, Betts;
Brown (T); Feeney, Mitchell; Baird, Rees, Fletcher;
Parker (S), McGrory, Pole, Driver, O'Brien;
Referee:- R.G. Burgess, Reading Attendance 9,000
Walsall lost this vital match against fellow strugglers Ipswich with both teams in danger of falling into the last two re-election spots. The new look half back line which had done well in recent matches could not match the Ipswich midfield and consequently Walsall lacked possession. Devlin continued his scoring success but Ipswich took a useful step up the table with a relatively easy win.
Sports Argus report.
Having won 5-1 at Ipswich last November, their only away win of the season, Walsall were confident of another victory. Reg Foulkes was still injured so Chapman continued at centre forward. Walsall were on top in the early stages and the climax to a period of thrills came when Chapman headed in from a McMorran centre. The ball struck the Ipswich keeper Brown and rebounded into play. It had been nearly all Walsall with just a few isolated Ipswich attacks, but the visitors surprisingly went ahead after half an hour.
Ipswich spread eagled the Walsall defence and McGrory headed a splendid goal from Driver's centre. It was a magnificent goal but from a Walsall point of view it was a just penalty for bad covering. Things went from bad to worse when Ipswich scored again five minutes later and again the Walsall defence were to blame. This time Pole had the better of a dual with Crutchley and beat Lewis with a rising shot.
It was difficult to realise that, with the exception of Foulkes, this was the same side which held a three goal lead against Notts County a fortnight ago. Walsall resumed the second half without McMorran, who had to receive treatment during the first half, suffering with torn ligaments. Walsall did show more spirit but the attack was obviously suffering from the loss of the right winger. Their best effort during the second half came from Betts, who after beating two defenders, sent a crashing drive just inches over the crossbar.
After 60 minutes Ipswich went further ahead. Parker and Baird got the Walsall defence in a tangle and when the winger dropped the ball into the goalmouth Lewis was crowded out and Pole tapped the ball over the line. Walsall showed little craft or method. Devlin ruined a good chance by kicking directly into Brown's hands and Chapman failed when he had a glorious chance after Brown had dropped a drive from Dearson.
Walsall did finally get a consolation goal from Devlin after 83 minutes but by that time Walsall were a well beaten side.
FRIDAY 7TH APRIL
LEAGUE DIVISION THREE SOUTH AT FELLOWS PARK, WALSALL
WALSALL 0 SWINDON TOWN O
Lewis; Jones, Walters; Crutchley, Russon, Green;
Condie, Dearson, Foulkes, Devlin, Betts;
Burton; Foxton, Lloyd; Cowie, Hudson, Kaye;
Onslow, Dawson, Peart, Simner, Bain;
Referee;- L.D. Thompson, Worksop Attendance 8,305
Walsall stuck to the same defensive formation, but introduced a new right winger Jimmy Condie and brought back Reg Foulkes, normally a centre half, at centre foward. Much had been expected of recent signing Don Dearson, but the former Welsh international has failed to make an impression and looks overweight. The Good Friday crowd were unhappy with the performance and a couple more wins are badly needed.
Swindon seemed happy to settle for a draw as they are already safe in mid-table away from the re-election places. This was a thoroughly lack lustre affair with few chances falling to either side.
Match report from Birmingham Gazette.
The home side started in encouraging fashion after last week's display and Devlin was unlucky to hit an upright early one. They could easily have had a good lead but chance after chance was thrown away.
The Swindon rear guard worked well and Burton in goal was outstanding often anticipating early when danger threatened. The best effort by Walsall came from Foulkes who hooked in a good shot only for Burton to save in spectacular fashion. The visitors were no better at close quarters.
Walsall did threaten in the second half and Condie had the best chance after good work by Foulkes and Dearson, but Lloyd at left back managed to clear. A quarter of an hour from the end the game did become a little livelier and chances went begging at both ends. Walsall played the last seven minutes with ten men after Crutchley was carried off with an injury to his left knee. Walsall had the best chances and should have had the game in the bag earlier in the game.
SATURDAY 15TH APRIL
LEAGUE DIVISION SOUTH AT FELLOWS PARK, WALSALL
WALSALL 1 (Chapman) LEYTON ORIENT 2 (Pullen, Blair)
Lewis; Jones, Skidmore; Walters, Foulkes, Russon;
Condie, Dearson, Chapman, Devlin, Medd;
Welton; Walton, Banner; Taylor, Rooney, Trailer;
Pullen, Blair, Sutherland, Deverall, Pattison;
Referee:- L.D. Thompson, Worksop
Two more valuable points lost to another side near the bottom of the league. It is really going to be a close call for which two teams have to apply for re-election to the league.
Walsall re-jigged the defence moving Foulkes back to his proper position of centre half with Russon moving alongside him. They were also without consistent outside left Eric Betts who has moved to West Ham.
Orient could almost field a team of Scotsmen, with no fewer than eight of their squad of twenty players having been born in Glasgow. There seems to be quite a trend in this division especially of signing players from Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Match report from Sports Argus.
Walsall dominated the play early on and chance after chance went begging. Sutherland broke away for Orient, although he appeared to be off side, but blazed wide when it appeared easier to score. Chapman headed on to Dearson who put the ball in the net but was given off side. Orient went ahead after 29 minutes against the run of play. Lewis went to his knees to stop a weak effort from Sutherland but the ball rolled from his grasp and Pullen was able to walk the ball into the net.
This spurred Walsall into action and the forwards surged forward but when they got within shooting range their efforts fizzled out. However five minutes before half time Chapman took advantage of a defensive error by Rooney. Skidmore dropped the ball close in almost from the half way line and when the centre half let it slip past him Chapman pivoted and drove it into the net. Just afterwards Chapman missed a glorious chance to take the lead and then Condie had an effort cleared off the line by Walton.
As soon as the second half started Orient took the lead. Taylor lobbed the ball forward and a stylish movement between Sutherland, Blair and Pullen split the Walsall defence wide open. Foulkes partially cleared but Sutherland put it across to Blair who netted. Walsall snapped into action and had the Leyton defence running in circles but the home forwards were incapable of turning their chances to good account. Orient defended almost non stop, kicking the ball out of play regularly and giving away a succession of corners but the home forwards just could not score. Two desperate saves by Welton at the end saw the visitors home by the narrowest of margins.
SATURDAY 22ND APRIL, 1950
LEAGUE DIVISION ONE AT VILLA PARK, BIRMINGHAM
ASTON VILLA 3 (Goffin, Dixon 2) BOLTON WANDERERS 0
Rutherford; Parkes, Dorsett; Powell, Martin, Moss (F);
Dixon, Gibson, Ford, Goffin, Smith (L);
Hanson; Roberts, Bingley; Barrass, Gillies, Howe;
Hughes, Moir, Lofthouse, Heron, McShane;
Referee:- H.C. Williams, Fulham Attendance 35,000
With just two more matches to play after today, Villa could settle for mid-table respectability, but Bolton although safe from relegation were four places below them in the bottom half. Johnny Dixon continued his good form with two more goals to bring his total to eleven for the season. Billy Goffin got the other to finish with thirteen goals just behind leading scorer Trevor Ford with sixteen.
Bolton Wanderers
The man Bolton look to for their goals Nat Lofthouse has only managed eleven goals this season and the team has only scored eleven goals away from home. Obviously improvement is required in this area for them next season. They also struggled in defence today with a young reserve left back in trouble against Dixon.
Match report from Sports Argus.
Villa attacked from the kick off and the start was truly sensational. Dixon forced two corners on the right and from the second the ball came across to the left where Leslie Smith returned it low into goal. Goffin racing up met the ball first time and Villa were one up in the second minute. Villa had most of the play but Rutherford was in fine form in the Villa goal when Bolton did attack. Hanson tipped over the bar a 30 yard free kick from Dorsett which would have beaten most goalkeepers. Bolton's defence worked well against Ford, who was combining well with his inside forwards.
It came as something of a surprise when Villa went further ahead in the 43rd minute. Dixon headed in when a long throw in from Powell was headed on to him by Gibson. Leslie Smith then nearly added another when his shot hit an upright. It was nearly all Villa again in the second half and in the 59th Dixon scored another. This was largely due to enterprise on the part of Ford. Both Gillies and Bingley tried to stop the centre forward, which resulted in a throw in. From the throw Gibson turned the ball across to Dixon who had an easy job to score as Hanson was out of position.
Little was seen of Scottish international Moir, but Lofthouse tried hard throughout and was unlucky not to get at least one goal. However on the day Villa were by far the better side.
THURSDAY 4TH MAY 1950
FRIENDLY - BENEFIT MATCH FOR LEWIS, FOULKES & NEWMAN
WALSALL 0 MIDLAND XI 1 (Massart pen)
Lewis; Jones, Skidmore; Walters, Russon, Devlin;
Whitehouse, Dearson, Foulkes, Corbett, Green;
Taylor (Coventry City); Jones (Coventry City), Millard (West Bromwich Albion);
Montgomery (Walsall), Lewis (Mansfield Town), Baxter (Wolves);
Smith (Wolves), Mullard (Crewe Alexandria), Massart (Bury), Lishman (Arsenal),
Betts (West Ham United);
Many former Walsall players returned to play for the Midland XI in a well deserved benefit game for three stalwarts - goalkeeper Jack Lewis, centre half Reg Foulkes and wing half Albert Newman.
Sadly the feast of goals expected by the spectators never happened and it was left to a penalty from Dave Massart to provide the only goal of the evening.
Walsall in fact ended the season just outside the re-election places but only on superior goal average, finishing level on 34 points with Aldershot and Newport.
Newport and Millwall, the bottom club with 32 points, both successfully applied for re-election to the Third Division South.
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