SATURDAY 24TH OCTOBER 1953
LEAGUE DIVISION THREE SOUTH AT FELLOWS PARK, WALSALL
WALSALL 0 MILLWALL 2 (Stobbart 2)
Chilvers; Horne, Flavell; Green (capt), Bridgett, Slynn;
Grubb, Dean, Morris, Allsop, Smith;
Brewer; Jadine, Fisher; Short, Bowler (capt0, Heydon;
Hazlett, Stobbart, Neary, Saward, Hartburn;
Walsall included a new left wing pair, Norman Allsop at inside left from Hednesford, who was previously with West Bromwich Albion, and outside left Alf Smith from Bilston. Millwall had a much more experienced side captained by Irish international Gerry Bowler and Including Short, the former Leeds United wing half, Heydon from Liverpool, George Stobbart ex Newcastle and Luton and 'cannonball' Frank Neary, from Queens Park Rangers.
Milwall's forwards combined well and took the lead after only three minutes play when George Stobbart pushed Hartburn's free kick into the net. After a period of Millwall pressure Walsall started a series of attacks, but whenever a centre from the wings came over the rock like Bowler would be there to head it clear. It was obvious that he was the most outstanding and coolest player afield and he was well supported by the rest of the defence.
Stobbart scored his second goal after half an hour when put through by Neary. Smith, the tiny winger, was Walsall's best forward and should develop into a useful player. At half time he changed position and shirts with Grubb. Walsall now got in a series of good raids, one of which developed into a fierce scrum in the Millwall goalmouth. Saward was the only Millwall forward who looked out of place, although Neary had a quiet game against the efficient Bridgett. Hartburn and Hazlett were both very nippy wingers.
SATURDAY 31ST OCTOBER 1953
BIRMINGHAM LEAGUE AT FELLOWS PARK, WALSALL
WALSALL RESERVES 0 BURTON ALBION 2 (McKaig, Giles)
Pidcock; Beddow, Perry (capt); Nicholls, Holding, Evans;
Dawson, Beastall, Seager, Scarlett, Smith:
Thomas (K); Hadfield, Neville; Aston, Weston, Thomas (M);
Barber, Duggins, McKaig, Russell, Giles (capt);
Burton Albion (then very much a non-league side) included four ex Walsall players, Phil Aston their former England amateur international, Barber, Duggins and Phil Giles who was made captain for the day. Burton were without regular goalkeeper Townsend, formerly with Derby County and left half Dave McAdams from Leeds United.
Burton started off with two quick raids by Phil Giles and soon settled down to play some good football. In Walsall's first attack Seager shot just wide Walsall's former players were showing the way, Giles getting in some good runs down the wing, Duggins shooting hard at every opportunity, he hit the bar with one fine effort from fully thirty yards and Aston made up a strong half back line alongside player manager Weston and reserve Thomas. Both backs played well and Ken Thomas was a very good stand in for Bill Townsend.
After about thirty five minutes Burton got a penalty for hands by Nicholls. Russell took the kick but Pidcock managed to push it away to his right. Burton should have been well ahead at the interval but they did not manage to score until ten minutes into the second half. Centre forward McKaig scored after being put through by Barber. Giles cut in from the left to score the second just before the end.
Skipper Perry was Walsall's best defender with promising right back Beddow a close second. Smith was the best forward.
SATURDAY 7TH NOVEMBER 1953
LEAGUE DIVISION THREE SOUTH AT FELLOWS PARK WALSALL
WALSALL 1 (Morris) BOURNEMOUTH AND BOSCOMBE ATHLETIC 0
Chilvers; Horne, Flavell; Green (capt), Bridgett, Russon;
Morris, Dean, Jefferies, Allsop, Slynn;
Goodwin; Keetley, Drummond; MacDonald, Hardy (capt), Rushworth;
Stephens, Gaynor, Hobbs, Cheney, Harrison;
Referee:- E.S. Vickery, Bristol
Both centre forwards were playing their first matches for their respective clubs. Ron Jefferies had been signed by Walsall from Aston Villa and Jack Hobbs was deputising for the injured Frank Fidler.
In Walsall's early raids Morris tended to shoot over the bar instead of crossing the ball. Walsall attached all the time and Bill Green got in a splendid shot which Goodwin could just reach to push over the bar. From the corner Green again shot over. Jefferies was trying hard but lacked support. Horne was prominent in Walsall's defence against Bournemouth's best forward Harrison, previously with Leeds United. After about forty minutes Walsall scored. Slynn cut in on the left and sent in a grand shot, Goodwin dived and pushed it out but Fred Morris was on hand to push the ball home.
Allsop came more into the picture during the second half and Slynn had another good shot saved by Goodwin, the goalkeeper who played for Eire (Republic of Ireland) when they beat England four years ago.
Bournemouth were awarded a penalty when Horne blatantly tripped Harrison just inside the area. Gaynor took the kick but shot three yards wide.
Bournemouth's attacks broke down against Bridgett and Hobbs hung too far back to be of any danger. Horne and Flavell were shaky at times, but on several occasions saved certain goals with desperate last minute tackles. Bournemouth came into the game more towards the end but their finishing was always at fault. Hardy was their outstanding defender.
SATURDAY 21ST NOVEMBER 1953
LEAGUE DIVISION ONE AT THE HAWTHORNS, WEST BROMWICH
WEST BROMWICH ALBION 6 (Allen 4, Nicholls 2) CARDIFF CITY 1 (Chisholm)
Heath; Williams, Millard (capt); Dudley (J), Kennedy, Barlow;
Griffin, Ryan, Allen, Nicholls, Lee;
Howells; Harrington, Sullivan; Baker, Montgomery (capt), Blair;
Tiddy, Dudley (F), Grant, Chisholm, Edwards;
Both teams were without international full backs, Rickaby for Albion and Sherwood for Cardiff.
The visitors started brilliantly and it came as no surprise when they scored after only five minutes. Ken Chisholm, running in as the ball was kicked to beat the off side trap, dived full length to head home Blair's free kick. Blair, previously an inside forward, and his wing half partner Baker were playing really great stuff at this stage. Then after fifteen minutes t he tide began to turn when Allen, apparently off side, but played on by a defender, equalised. It was one way traffic from this point with the Albion half back line dominating the game. Allen, in marvellous form, scored again after twenty eight minutes from Griffin's centre and then shortly before half time, when put through by Ryan, jinked his way round Cardiff's demoralised defence to complete his hat trick.
Allen's display must rate as one of his very best, for apart from scoring four goals himself, he created innumerable openings for his fellow forwards. The whole Albion defence was brilliant with Stuart Williams deputising most capably for Rickaby against the experienced Welsh international George Edwards. Only Ryan could match Allen's excellence in the forward line.
For Cardiff goalkeeper Howells never gave up and made many fine saves in what could have been a double figure score for Albion. Sullivan and Montgomery did well in defence but the forwards lacked speed and cohesion.
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