Memorable Midland season 1953-54 - Part eight

Posted by Tony Hutton

MONDAY 26TH APRIL, 1954

F.A. YOUTH CUP FINAL (Second leg) AT MOLINEUX, WOLVERHAMPTON

WOLVES YOUTH 0 MANCHESTER UNITED YOUTH 1 (Pegg pen) United won 5-4 on aggregate.

Sidebottom; Griffiths, Harris; Bolton, Timmins (capt), Fallon;
Round, Mason, Bonson, Murray, Cooper;

Hawksworth; Beswick, Rhodes; Colman, Harrop, McGuiness;
Littler, Edwards, Charlton, Pegg (capt), Scanlon;

Referee:- Mr H. Webb, Leeds

Wolves started this match as favourites, despite the visitors having several players already with first team experience. This was due to the fact that they had produced a tremendous display at Old Trafford last Friday and came away with a 4-4 draw. On paper United had the star names, notably Black Country lad Duncan Edwards, but they did not seem sure where best to play him. Normally a left half, he was in the programme as inside right, but actually played as a centre forward up front with Bobby Charlton in an inside forward role.

Edwards, who many locals thought should have signed for Wolves, was soon on track for goal, but tried to do too much on his own. United missed a good chance following a mis-kick by Timmins in front of goal, but the ball was scrambled away. Then outside left Albert Scanlon beat Griffiths with ease and sent in an acute shot just under the bar. Sidebottom, the Barnsley born goalkeeper, did well to push it over. Scanlon again broke through but this time shot over. Harris was doing well at left back for Wolves and one of his long range free kicks had United's defence worried.

Shortly before half-time a centre from the left came over and Timmins, Harris and Edwards all jumped for it. Timmins seemed to fear the worst and pushed the ball away with his hand. United's captain David Pegg, took the responsibility for the penalty and placed it well wide of the goalkeeper. Wolves attack never really got going, mainly because Mason was having a poor game. H.T. 0-1.

Wolves were determined to equalise, but Manchester's defence stood firm. Outstanding were centre half Harrop and Hawksworth in goal, who came out quickly to rob Bonson on several occasions. Bonson suffered from lack of support, otherwise Wolves might have equalised. In the first half there were two very thrilling incidents, when both Manchester full backs, in turn, kicked Bonson efforts off the line with the crowd yelling goal.

Mr Joe Richards, chairman of the Youth cup committee, presented the cup to David Pegg and plaques to all players. He said the game today was nothing like Friday's first leg thriller. Then Mr Arthur Drewry presented the Football League Championship to Billy Wright, captain of Wolves. Both Wright and manager Stan Cullis made short speeches. Then the President of the Birmingham League presented the Championship Shield to Billy Crook, captain of Wolves third team. A memorable season indeed at Molineux.

                                                                          The league champions

THURSDAY 29TH APRIL, 1954

LEAGUE DIVISION THREE SOUTH AT FELLOWS PARK, WALSALL

WALSALL 1 (Tarrant) GILLINGHAM 1 (Sowden)

Baldwin; Fort. Green (capt); Morris, Russon, Tarrant;
Meek, Lewis, G. Allen, Davis, Colombo;

Rigg; Kiernan, Lewin; Boswell, Ayres, Forrester;
Scarth, Evans (W) capt., Morgan, Sowden, Long;

Referee:- J.B. Long, Watford.

From one extreme to the other. Wolves crowned League champions on Monday night and now the bottom club of the Third Division South playing their last home match of the season and facing applying for re-election to the league for the third successive season.

The ground was very dry and dusty and both sides found the lively ball difficult to control. During the first half play was fairly even, but probably just in Gillingham's favour as a result of their superior passing and ball play. When it came to shooting both sides were just as bad as each other. Walsall's best chance came when Ken Lewis went through on the right and lobbed the ball in to amateur centre forward Allen, who had only to turn the ball into the net, but headed yards wide!

Sowden was outstanding in a Gillingham forward line which combined well. Long also did well against Walsall's inexperienced right back Fort. It has been a long season for Walsall's skipper Bill Green and he looked worn out. Half-time 0-0.

The second half was much better than the first, Walsall's attack was more lively with Davis moving to centre forward and Allen to inside left. Morris as ever, was trying his hardest but got involved in a scuffle, after which the referee cautioned Morgan for kicking at Baldwin while he was on the ground.

After sixty eight minutes Tarrant, who was playing much better than in the first half, broke through on his own. His shot was blocked by Lewin's chest but he ran on to the rebound and cracked the ball past Rigg.
Walsall seemed to be inspired by this goal and although Tarrant was injured and moved to outside left, with Colombo at left half, he got over several grand centres.

Davis tried hard, but missed two chances. Then Lewis shot brilliantly on the turn, but just over the bar. Meek go over several good centres, but they were wasted. Then five minutes from the end Gillingham broke away, the ball came to Sowden who tricked Russon and send in a shot from the edge of the area which Baldwin thought was going over, but it went into the top corner so Gillingham pinched a draw.

A sad season for the Saddlers, but the programme paid tribute to the regular supporters and said that the average gate was near the 10,000 mark which was extremely satisfactory and a source of encouragement for the future. That future will be decided at the end of May at the annual meeting of the Football league when Walsall hope they will once again be voted back into the league.




SATURDAY 1ST MAY, 1954

F.A. CUP FINAL AT WEMBLEY STADIUM (ON TELEVISION)

WEST BROMWICH ALBION 3 (Allen 2, 1 pen, Griffin) PRESTON NORTH END 2 (Morrison, Wayman)

Sanders; Kennedy, Millard (capt); Dudley, Dugdale, Barlow;
Griffin, Ryan, Allen, Nicholls, Lee;

Thompson; Cunningham, Walton; Docherty, Marston, Forbes;
Finney (capt), Foster, Wayman, Baxter, Morrison;

Referee:- Mr A.W. Luty, Leeds

                       Len Millard and Tom Finney lead out the two teams at Wembley.


After the usual community singing led by Arthur Caiger, the two team were present to Her Majesty Queen
Elizabeth, the Queen Mother.

Albion kicked off and Barlow put the ball through to Ryan whose pass was blocked, but rebounded to Lee who shot just three yards wide. Millard beat Finney for the ball in their first clash. Then Finney, the man Albion feared, went through twice only to be brought down by double tackles when about to centre. After nearly seven minutes, the first thrill came when Thompson dropped the ball while challenged by Allen, but soon recovered. Baxter ran through brilliantly shaking off Dudley's tackle, only to shoot wide. Then Wayman brilliantly hooked the ball back only for Baxter to shoot wide again. Docherty - Finney - Foster went the ball with brilliant passing. Then Walton had a roar from the crowd with a dash down the wing, only to run the ball out.

Millard brought down Finney for the first free kick of the game, then Allen and Lee had a good move down the left until Cunningham intercepted. The Preston full back taped a careless free kick towards Marston, who was robbed by the alert Nicholls. He was too slow to take advantage and in the end Walton cleared. Morrison fouled Dudley, then here was another brilliant Finney - Docherty - Foster move. Kennedy put the ball up the right wing and Nicholls brilliantly centred from the corner flag to Allen who headed into Thompson's arms.

Winger Lee came back to help Millard stop Finney, who was getting a wonderful service from Docherty. Morrison lobbed the ball just past a post and all Preston's forwards combined in a marvellous move until Finney could not control the ball and it went out. Then Walton came upfield to shoot well wide. The game than came alive with two goals in two minutes. First a mistake by Cunningham, trying to get the ball onto his left foot, had his clearance blocked by Lee who was quickly away and slipped the ball past Thompson for Allen to tap it home after twenty one minutes play.

A minute later Docherty got the ball on the right hand touchline and swung it across, up went Morrison and Dugdale, Morrison got their first, Sanders dived but the ball was in the net and Preston were level. Hand ball by Allen, Docherty to Finney blocked, back to Docherty, to Finney, to Docherty - down the centre to Wayman, whose brilliant hook shot is just touched over by Sanders, but the referee gave a goal kick.

Nicholls did well to get a shot in fromn Barlow's pas, then Ryan bustling along, passes to Allen, to Nicholls, but Walton intervenes. Then a Nicholls-Allen move on the left saw Allen with a clear shot but Thompson advanced to block it. Docherty - Finey  - Foster again earn a corner. Then Docherty is winded by Allen. Ryan puts the ball down the centre. Thompson just beats Allen to it. Dugdale playing well at centre half for Albion, clears well, but Cunningham heads it back again. Allen goes up for a Ryan cross with Thompson and the goalkeeper is injured and needs attention.

Sanders, in the Albion goal, hesitated and did not come out, Dugdale has to concede a corner. Morrison sends in a dangerous inswinger with the wind, but well held by Sanders. Both teams are threatening to score and after Finney beats two men, Dugdale has to rob Foster. Allen hanging back, picks up the ball on half way to start another move which ends when Walton brings down Griffin. Dudley took the free kick but it was cleared.

The first offside did not come until the thirty seventh minute and Preston were the offenders. Kennedy, playing out of position at right back showed signs of nerves by slicing the free kick into touch. Both sides had changes before the interval, Allen's shot was blocked after a good move and then Barlow made a vital tackle as Finney cut in on goal. Kennedy headed out a Finney cross and Docherty shot over the bar before Wayman laid on another chance for Finney, but he too shot wide. Half time 1-1.

Barlow started the second half with a thirty yard back pass to Sanders. Then Ryan lofted the ball in but Thompson grabbed it from Nicholls eager head. Finney had a run, but put the ball out. He was certainly not getting much change out of Len Millard. After fifty two minutes came a controversial goal. The ball was pushed up the middle by Foster to Wayman and all Albion's defenders paused and appealed for off side, but Wayman went on, dribbled round Sanders and scored. So 2-1 to Preston.

Kennedy sent a high ball across, Nicholls missed it and was off side. Finney got a corner, but Sandrs caught it well. Dudley threw in to Ryan, who lobbed it goalwards, but Marston brushed Allen off the ball. Forbes who was doing sterling work in the Preston defence had to receive attention. Then Barlow's long pass struck Docherty on the head and Preston's trainer, Jimmy Milne, was on the field again. After hands by Millard, Finney's free kick rebounded to Foster whose powerful shot was well saved by the diving Sanders.

Then a run by left winger Lee led to the Albion equaliser, he pulled the ball back from the goal line to Barlow who ran through and Docherty brought him down for a clear penalty. The referee delayed matters by asking Ronnie Allen to replace the ball on the penalty spot, but he kept cool and hit the ball into the net. Thompson diving to his right, managed to touch the ball but couldn't keep it out. 2-2 with all to play for!

There was still twnty three minutes remaining and Albion continued to press strongly for the winner. Lee was causing havoc down the left flank and when Barlow put him through agian, Walton very nearly deflected his centre into his own goal, Thompson just managing to push it for a corner. Griffin took the corner, forcing another this time taken by Allen, which Marston headed clear. It was all Albion and Nicholls was hurt in forcing the ball from Thompson before Walton cleared.

Nicholls left the field for attention but was soon back. Morrison headed over from Finney's corner in a rare North End attack. Albions's full backs joined in the attack, when Millard beat Finney yet again he dashed up the wing, but fell and Docherty cleared. Another long pass from Barlow helped Allen force another corner but Docherty cleared yet again.

With only minutes remaining Preston got back into the action again, Foster's shot sailed over the bar, Finney ran the ball dead yet again, then Sanders tipped over a long centre from Wayman on the left as Foster dashed in. Sanders was now in continuous action, dropping Morrison's cross but recovering before Wayman could get to it. Then he was out of position but made a brilliant leap to save from Foster.

Millard and Barlow played the ball away with clever short passing and Albion were suddenly down the other end again. Allen put in a typical effort, trapping a throw in from Griffin and blazing a shot across goal from fully thirty five yards. With only seconds remaining another move down the right brought Albion the winning goal.

Kennedy pushed the ball through to Ran, who hesitated and then suddenly hit the ball to Griffin as he cut into the penalty are from the right. He ran on and hit the ball into the corner of the net from a narrow angle. 3-2 to Albion!
Seconds to go, Barlow took two throw-ins, Griffin screwed the ball wide. Then it was all over and Albion were taking the cup back to the Black Country. Celebrations for a team that had played wonderful football all season and only injuries towards the end probably robbed them of the double. Disappointment for Preston who put up a good performance, particularly for the great Tom Finney who was virtually played out of the game by Albion's local lad skipper Len Millard

Briefly back in Yorkshire for Easter

Posted by Tony Hutton


SATURDAY 17TH APRIL, 1954

LEAGUE DIVISION TWO AT ELLAND ROAD, LEEDS              Attendance 17,000

LEEDS UNITED 3 (Charles 2, Forrest) BURY 4 (Kelly 2, Daniel, Pearson)

Scott; Dunn, Hair; Kerfoot, Marsden, Burden (capt);
McCall, Nightingale, Charles, Forrest, Iggleden;

Goram; Fairclough, Massey; Daniel, Hart (capt), Bardsley;
Imlach, Clarke, Kelly, Pearson, Simm;

Referee:- Mr. J.W. Hunt, Matlock

I was briefly back in Yorkshire for the Easter weekend to visit my grandparents and could not miss the opportunity of visiting my old haunts at Leeds United and Huddersfield Town during the usual busy Easter football programme. I was particularly pleased to see John Charles in action again after seeing his very first game for Leeds back in 1949.

Bury had played Brentford away yesterday and lost two of their players in the process, Gleadall had broken his leg and Greenhalgh pulled a muscle, so Simm and Bardsley came into their side. Forrest deputised for Harold Williams, the Welsh winger, in the Leeds side, but their line up looked a little unbalanced with two regular inside forwards on the wings.

Bury were the first to attack but Stan Pearson, formerly a big name player with Manchester United, shot over the bar. John Charles, one of the personalities of the season, was soon in evidence as he tricked Hart on the half way line and dashed upfield, only a last minute tackle by Massey stopping his shot. Bury's forwards were combining well and deserved the lead they took after only six minutes play, despite the fact that they were practically given the goal by Kerfoot. The Leeds wing half allowed the ball to trickle towards goalkeeper Scott but Kelly, a lively centre forward, ran in and slammed the ball home.

Charles distributed the ball well and one typical header put Nightingale through in an open position. His shot hit the post, but he was give off side anyway. Kelly was put through again for Bury, but Scott did well to come out of goal to smother the shot. Forrest broke through for Leeds on his own, but  shot over the bar.
Then United got their first corner on the left.

Iggleden sent in a perfect inswinger and Charles, although hampered by Hart, sent a typical header low into the net. This was after fourteen minutes. Four minutes later Nightingale forced a corner on the right. Bury had three men marking Charles, so McCall sent over a perfect ball to Forrest who brilliantly headed into the roof of the net over Fairclough's head. Scott then made a splendid, diving save from Pearson following a left wing corner. Bury were now keeping the Leeds defence under continuous pressure and as the ball came out of the crowded goalmouth, right half Daniel cracked the ball into the far top corner of the net. Scott got his hand to it but had been late in his dive, as he had been unsighted. 

This made the score 2-2 after only thirty minutes. There was a marked contrast between Bury's accurate passing and Leeds' ragged efforts. Daniel came through and put a waist high ball into the Leeds area, as it was going wide of the post, Kelly hooked it past Marsden and over the head of Scott who had unwisely advanced. United went straight down the field and were awarded a penalty for 'hands'. Charles crashed the ball into the corner of the net to Goram's right. Half-time score 3-3.

During the second half played became more ragged after the excitement of the first period, but there was still plenty of interesting moves. Simm dashed in but could only send Kelly's centre over from close range. Goram dived forward to save at Nightingale's fee. The the Leeds inside right  got in a brilliant dribble, but McCall's centre was cleared. The Leeds defence was often troubled by the clever and speed Bury forwards. The Leeds wingers, both really inside forwards, switched positions several times, but were both obviously out of place.

Leeds looked as though they might score the winner in the last fifteen minutes and Charles sent in a terrific shot, which just skimmed the bar. In the very last minute Stan Pearson got Bury's dramatic winner, following another mistake by Kerfoot. Bury played much better than their league position suggests and thoroughly deserved their win. As for Leeds, they could do with Charles at centre half as well as centre forward.


EASTER TUESDAY 20TH APRIL, 1954

LEAGUE DIVISION ONE AT LEEDS ROAD, HUDDERSFIELD              Attendance 35,841

HUDDERSFIELD TOWN 2 (Glazzard, McGarry) WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS 1 (Slater)

Mills; Staniforth, Kelly; McGarry (capt), McEvoy, Battye;
Burrell, Cavanagh, Glazzard, Davie, Frear;

Williams; Stuart, Wright (capt); Slater, Shorthouse, Flowers;
Hancocks, Broadbent, Swinbourne, Wilshaw, Mullen;

Referee:- W.J. Gaiger, Wilmslow

Following Wolves 4-0 victory over Town at Molineux yesterday, when Wheeler was injured, the home side had Mills back in goal, McEvoy was playing his second game after injury and Willie Davie returned to the team after a long injured spell. In that Wolves win yesterday Ivan Sharpe, a veteran football journalist, wrote that in forty years of watching football he had not seen a better goal than Johnny Hancocks explosive free kick from thirty yards.

Play was even for the first few minutes, the Town's reserve left half, Battye, put a long ball down the middle, Shorthouse mis-judged it and it passed over his head for Jimmy Glazzard to run on and beat Williams for the ball and put it into the net. Wolves looked the better combination and Huddersfield's defence only remained unbeaten because of the off side trap which they constantly employed. Hancocks had a good chance when he beat Mills to the ball but Kelly, playing against his former team, deflected the ball round the post.

Swinbourne gave a brilliant, dashing display, causing the usually competent McEvoy much trouble. Town had two amazing escapes, Mills first saving dramatically from Hancocks, leaving Wilshaw with an open goal, he lobbed it over Mills' prostrate body, but suddenly Kelly went into a dive and headed the ball out. What an ovation he got! It was unlucky for Wolves that Swinbourne was off the mark with his shooting or they would have won easily. Just before half time Slater came right through the middle  on his own and pushed the ball past Mills. Wilshaw dashed in to make sure, but the ball was already over the line. Half time 1-1.

The Wolves captain, Billy Wright playing in the unaccustomed position of left back, came back onto the field after the interval shouting to the Wolves followers in the crowd that the 'Baggies' (West Bromwich Albion) were five down at half time against Aston Villa! They eventually lost 6-1 assuring near neighbours Wolves of the First Division title whatever the result at Leeds Road.

They were not there yet however as the second half began and manager Stan Cullis, sitting on the trainer's bench, was getting really exasperated with his team's efforts. Wolves did continue to dominate the play. Hancocks started to roam and he was just off the mark with three powerful drives, one of which hit the side net. Wolves half backs were outstanding and the backs gave little scope to the speedy Burrell and young Frear. Wilshaw had the ball in the net again, but was give off side by the linesman. Glazzard got in a good header but Bert Williams saved well.

The decisive moment of the match came when Shorthouse had to go off for five minutes with a head injury following Burrell's centre. Flowers moved to centre half with Wilshaw at left half. Bill McGarry, the Town's splendid captain, took advantage of the confusion in the Wolves defence and fired in a twenty five yard shot, which Williams never saw, to win the match. Wolves appealed for a penalty in the final seconds when Staniforth tripped and seemed to clutch the ball to him. The referee was not impressed and Town had achieved a notable victory over the League Champions.

Memorable Midlands season 1953-54 - Part seven

Posted by Tony Hutton

WEDNESDAY 31ST MARCH, 1954                   Kick off 3 p.m.

LEAGUE DIVISION ONE AT VILLA PARK, BIRMINGHAM           Attendance 10,000

ASTON VILLA 2 (Thompson, Dixon) SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY 1 (Woodhead)

Jones; Parkes, Aldis; Canning, Moss (F) (capt), Baxter;
Roberts (K.O.), Dixon, Walsh, Thompson, Lockhart;

McIntosh; Curtis (capt), Seemley; Gannon, Butler, Davies;
Marriott, Quixall, Shaw, Froggatt, Woodhead;

Referee:- Mr A. H. Blyth, London

Villa were without both Blanchflower and McParland who were playing for Ireland. Lockhart came in on the left wing and Canning was at right half. 18 year old K.O. Roberts played on the right wing. Right winger Alan Finney was missing for Wednesday with Jack Marriott in his place.

Play was fairly even for the opening minutes. Then after twelve minutes Thompson worked his way between the Sheffield defenders and hit the ball into the corner of the net to McIntosh's right. Villa seemed to come to life after that and Lockhart hit the bar with a fine shot. After twenty eight minutes however Wednesday drew level, as Woodhead raced through inside Parkes and scored with a fine right foot shot..

Seven minutes later Lockhart sent over a good corner and Thompson headed it on to Dixon who nodded it into the net. The two Villa inside forwards were back to their best and were the outstanding players of the first half. Half-time 2-1.

Villa had the majority of possession in the second half but could not turn their superiority into goals. Their shooting was not on target and when Thompson went off injured, there was a danger that the game could slip away. In defence however Frank Moss kept well on top of centre forward Shaw, and despite a few nice touches from young Albert Quixall, Wednesday's danger man Woodhead could not get the better of Parkes again.

Villa missed the midfield magic of Danny Blanchflower and the two wing halves struggled to make an impression. Wednesday's goalkeeper McIntosh made several good saves but the defenders in front of him seemed content just to boot the ball upfield rather than make constructive passes. A lack lustre game but two useful points for Villa.


WEDNESDAY 31ST MARCH, 1954                        Kick off 7.30 p.m.

SEMI-FINAL OF F.A. YOUTH CUP (1ST LEG) AT MOLINEUX, WOLVERHAMPTON

WOLVES YOUTH 6 (Cooper 2, Mason, Bonson 2, Matthews o.g.) W.H.U. YOUTH 1 (Matthews)

Sidebottom; Griffiths, Haris; Bolton, Timmins (capt), Fallon;
Round, Mason, Bonson, Murray, Cooper;

Rhodes; Ling (capt), Wickers; Taylor, Swan, Vichion;
Lill, Mathews, Blackburn, Francis, Foreman;

Referee:- C.G. Edwards, Bromsgrove

It looked like an even match as West Ham had an equal share of attacks in the first ten minutes. Then Wolves suddenly hit them, scoring three goals in five minutes; Harris took a free kick, Bonson headed it to Cooper, who flicked it into the corner of the net. They scored again immediately, Cooper went down the middle and as tackled by two defenders, poked the ball in past the dismayed goalkeeper, who had to pick the ball out of the net again from Mason after three more minutes.

After this brilliant spell, West Ham got into their stride and inside right Matthews scored after Sidebottom had made a brilliant save. Bonson had many vigorous tussles with centre half Swan, but was unable to get past him during the first half. Half-time 3-1.

Wolves were really on top during the second half as Timmins and Harris stopped the two main dangermen, Blackburn and Lill. Round was outstanding in a brilliant Wolves forward line, with many sparkling runs. Bonson scored with a terrific shot following a long ball from Harris. The centre forward got another and then Matthews unluckily deflected a Wolves shot into the roof of his own net. The referee also disallowed a goal for Wolves in each half for obscure offences. Swan was a very vigorous centre half in the same mould as Walker and Allison in the West Ham first team.

As Manchester United beat West Bromwich Albion 3-1 in the first leg of their semi-final, it looks like a repetition of last year's youth cup final. Wolves v Manchester United again will be a mouth watering prospect.



The following Saturday 3rd April, 1954 was an eventful day in the soccer calender, with Scotland playing England in front of a crowd of 134,640 at Hampden Park, Glasgow. This was the final game in the Home International Tournament, with England having already beaten Wales and Ireland despite their 6-3 thrashing by Hungary.
Change was in the air and England introduced four new caps in Ron Staniforth (Huddersfield Town) at right back. Roger Byrne (Manchester United) at left back, Harry Clarke (Spurs) at centre half and finally the West Bromwich Albion goal poacher Johnny Nicholls at inside left. England won 4-2 with three of the goals coming from Ronnie Allen and Johnny Nicholls (both of West Brom) and Jimmy Mullen of Wolves.
This was significant because the two Black Country teams, who were fighting for the Division One title, were playing each other that same afternoon at the Hawthorns in front of a capacity crowd of 55,000. Billy Wright, the England captain, was also missing from the Wolves line up. So two much weakened sides came out at the Hawthorns in a game which could decide the league title.

I was not in attendance as I too was involved in a big match trying to establish myself in the local youth club side in the Walsall Minor League as a 17 year old speedy left winger! However here are the teams which saw Wolves take a major step towards the title by doing the double over their Black Country rivals.

SATURDAY 3RD APRIL, 1954

LEAGUE DIVISION ONE AT THE HAWTHORNS, WEST BROMWICH    Attendance 55,000

WEST BROMWICH ALBION 0 WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS 1 (Swinbourne)

Sanders; Williams, Millard (capt); Dudley, Dugdale, Kennedy;
Cox, Ryan, Barlow, Carter, Cutler;

Williams; Stuart, Pritchard; Slater, Shorthouse, Flowers;
Smith, Broadbent, Swinbourne, Wilshaw, Hancocks;

Only a week after Albion's rather fortunate cup semi-final victory over Port Vale, they were still chasing the elusive cup and league double and faced their local rivals Wolves in this crucial match without their two ace goalscorers Ronnie Allen and Johnny Nicholls. They moved wing half Ray Barlow to centre forward in place of Allen but this did not work. It is perhaps fair to say Albion missed their two England players more than Wolves missed Wright and Mullen, and they were also missing Rickaby and Griffin due to injuries.

Roy Swinbourne scored the only goal of the game in the 58th minute and it feels very much as if Albion might have to concentrate their efforts on the F.A. Cup.




WEDNESDAY 7TH APRIL, 1954

STAFFORDSHIRE SENIOR CUP SEMI-FINAL AT VILLA PARK, BIRMINGHAM

ASTON VILLA RESERVES 2 (Slatter, Lynn pen.) WOLVES RESERVES 1 (Stockin)     K.O. 3 p.m.

Parsons; Lynn, Ashfield; Canning, Martin, Moss (A);
Slatter, Tyrell, Pace, Follon, Lockhart;

Sims; Gibbons, Pritchard; Neal, Guttridge, Crook (capt);
McDonald, Deeley, Short, Walmsley, Stockin;

Wolves included two new signings, McDonald, Scotland B winger from Hibs and inside left Tom Walmsley. Villa did all the early attacking and Lockhart and Pace were soon prominent; Pace getting in several good headers. Wolves attacks were slowed down by full back Jack Short playing at centre forward but goalkeeper Sims dealt confidently with all Villa's efforts.

Walmsley was kicked on the head and changed places with former Walsall man, Ron Stockin. Soon after this, with half an hour gone, Villa took the lead after a good run by Derek Pace, when Slatter ran in from the right wing to score. Ten minutes later Pace was brought down by Ron Guttridge just inside the area and Stan Lynn crashed the ball home from the spot. Half-time 2-0.

Wolves came more into the picture after the interval and ten minutes after the break, Deeley ran through on the right, his shot was kicked off the line by Lynn, but Stockin netted from the rebound. Parsons, the Villa keeper gave a very confident display against his old team mates and Ashfield the young left back from Stockport looks a good prospect. Derek Pace at centre forward, despite his lack of height, proved a very enthusiastic leader of the attack and is very good in the air.

Memorable Midlands season 1953-54 - Part six

Posted by Tony Hutton


SATURDAY 27TH FEBRUARY 1954

LEAGUE DIVISION ONE AT MOLINEUX, WOLVERHAMPTON

WOVES 3 (Broadbent, Wilshaw, Slater) NEWCASTLE UNITED 2 (Milburn, Broadis)

Williams; Stuart, Shorthouse; Slater, Wright (capt), Chatham;
Hancocks, Broadbent, Swinbourne, Mullen;

Simpson; Cowell, McMichael (capt); Stokoe, Brennan, Casey;
Foulkes, Broadis, Milburn, Hannah, Mitchell;

Referee:- F. Thurnam, Preston

It was raining when play began, but Wolves soon got into their stride and scored with a marvellous, though lucky, goal by Peter Broadbent. Williams threw the ball to Hancocks who push it to Broadbent standing just inside his own half. He promptly set off at speed straight for goal. The defence opened up to mark for a pass, which did not come. Broadbent was not tackled until inside the penalty area, he stumbled but the ball bounced off Brennan back to Broadbent who evaded Cowell's tackle and hit the ball into the net to Simpson's left.

Broadbent nearly got another when Simpson fumbled Hancocks' centre. Broadis missed a good chance for United when Shorthouse dispossessed him when he had a clear shot at goal. Then Williams dived at the inside forward's feet. Wright stopped Milburn with ease before Hancocks forced a corner on the left. Mullen hit it all along the ground, Broadbent missed it, but Wilshaw hit it into the roof of the net.

Cowell managed to hit the ball away off the line from Hancocks and Swinbourne whose energy was troubling Brennan went close on several occasions. Stuart playing only his second game at right back was doing quite well. Stokoe was warned by the referee following a tackle on Swinbourne and after Wilshaw had headed wide, Cowell charged Swinbourne in the back when heading the ball. The referee took Cowell's name and Swinbourne went off injured just before the interval. Half-time 2-0.

Swinbourne's injury meant that he had to hold his right arm to his side during the second half. Broadbent went down the left to take Mullen'spass and Swinbourne beautifully flicked it for goal but Ronnie Simpson made the save of the match by touching it over. Milburn got in a grand header but Williams saved well. Following a Foulkes corner Milburn screwed the ball home from close range and Newcastle began to pile on the pressure.

                                                  Bobby Mitchell challenged by Ray Chatham

Then from a free kick by Alf McMichael, Broadis ran through and after a scramble ran the ball into the net, much to Newcastle's delight, especially Stokoe. 2-2 and all to play for. Wolves would not rest on this, they forced a corner and Slater ran in to head a goal from Hancocks' cross, knocking himself out in the process.This goal won Wolves two precious points and Slater, when he came round, must have been very pleased with his second match as a professional after playing as an amateur for all of his career to date.

Newcastle tried a final rush, with Broadis and Stokoe dashing in on Williams and the enthusiastic Stokoe ended up entangled in the goal net. The Wolves defence were annoyed with this show of aggression. With the home crowd enraged by this incident Williams took the resulting free kick and sent it straight into touch, at which point the referee blew for time. Newcastle had seeral good ball players in Casey, Broadis and Mitchell in particular, but with Milburn bottled up by Billy Wright they had no real punch in front of goal.

(Wolves were locked in a battle for the First Division title with their near neighbours West Bromwich Albion and this narrow victory was vital for them to keep in the race, but Albion were also going for the league and cup double and were involved in a quarter final tie the following week).

SATURDAY 13TH MARCH 1954

F.A. CUP SIXTH ROUND AT THE HAWTHORNS, WEST BROMWICH

WEST BROMWICH ALBION 3 (Nicholls 2, Barlow) TOTTENHAM HOTSPURS 0

Heath; Rickaby, Millard (capt); Dudley, Dugdale, Barlow;
Griffin, Ryan, Allen, Nicholls, Lee;

Ditchburn; Ramsey, Willis; Nicholson, Clarke, Burgess (capt);
Walters, Bennett, Duquieman, Bailey, Robb;

Referee:- Arthur Ellis, Halifax

Albion, top of the league and bidding for the coveted league and cup double, were a little off top form recently, this prompted critics to tip Spurs, now only a shadow of the great team of three years ago. Ron Burgess, now reaching the end of his great career and hoping to win a cup medal, started well by winning the toss and making Albion face a strong cross wind.

Frank Griffin, who greatly improved his play recently, was soon in evidence on the right wing with two good centres. Rickaby with a grand interception and pass through the middle had Harry Clarke hastily passing back to goalkeeper Ted Ditchburn. Ramsey kicked the ball away from Lee, when the winger was about to shoot and at the other end Eddie Bailey cleverly took a return pass from George Robb but shot wide.
Barlow got in a great run for Albion but his final shot was deflected and Ditchburn saved from Ronnie Allen

After seventeen minutes Albion scored a grand goal. Allen., continually wandering, gained possession on the left, midway inside Spurs half. Nicholson came across to challenge and with Clarke static on the edge of the area, Nicholls ran into position behind him for Allen to cross a wonderful ball which 'Johnny on the spot' Nicholls crashed into the net.

After another Griffin run and shot over, Allen put Ryan in a wonderful position just to the right of goal. He sent in a ground shot but Ditchburn dived full length to save. Then in a Spurs breakaway Rob had Heath diving too late with a grand shot which pass a yard wide. Back to the other end again with a goalmouth scramble. With Ditchburn on the floor Griffin shot through but Alf Ramsey appeared to block the shot on the line. Ditchburn had to receive attention after this effort but was able to resume.

Albion's defence made the stopping of Tottenham's attacks look easy, Rickaby and Barlow were outstanding. Heath ran outside his area to tackle Bennett who beat him, but Nicholls was in the right spot again to put the ball into touch. Nicholson was a little slow in clearing when 'hurricane' Allen arrived and from fully thirty yards hit the ball just inches over the bar. Rickaby joined in the attack and again Ditchburn had to go down to save.

Griffin again got in several splendid runs, how he has improved. After rather a shaky start Dugdale had settled down to play Duquieman out of the game and as far as Spurs' right flank was concerned they might as well have stopped at home. Half time 1-0.

Four minutes after the interval Nicholls was brought down on the edge of the area, Spurs put up rather a half-hearted barrier and after some dispute as to who should take it, Ray Barlow stepped up and slammed it past the well beaten goalkeeper into the corner of the net. There was no stopping this Albion football machine now and after sixty seven minutes Barlow put a beautiful long pass to Lee, who could beat Ramsey for seed whenever he liked. Lee put over a grand centre and there he was again! Johnny Nicholls with a flashing header into the corner of the net. Nicholls nearly got another when he beat Ditchburn in a race for the ball, which struck the goalkeeper's body and Griffin running in hit it over the bar.

Dugdale went off for five minutes following a crack on the head and Ditchburn saved well again from Nicholls. Summing up this wonderful performance you feel Albion should win both Cup and League with this great side. As for Spurs what a change, Nicholson and Ramsey are now far too slow and Burgess only shows flashes of his former brilliance. Bailey and Robb are the only reminders of what Spurs were once like. Clarke stuck to his defensive job well, but Allen (and Nicholls) were Albion's match winners.


MONDAY 22ND MARCH, 1954

FRIENDLY MATCH AT MOLINEUX, WOLVERHAMPTON

WOLVES YOUTH TEAM 4 (Mason 2, Murray, Bonson) ENGLAND UNDER 18s 1 (Rucker)

Sidebottom; Griffiths, Harris; Bolton, Timmins (capt), Fallon;
Round, Mason, Bonson, Murray, Cooper;

Cakebread (Middx); Platts (Leics & Rutland), Hillsdon (Liverpool); Campbell (Liverpool -capt), Higgs (Stafffs), Osmond (Hants); Wootton (Essex), Jones (Sheffield & Hallam), Minton (Staffs), Gregory (Bedford), Rucker (Manchester);

Referee:- Mr W. Ratcliffe, Leek

Both teams took time to settle down under the floodlights, but it was soon obvious that Wolves had the better team. Their hard tackling and high kicking defence stopped the clever England forwards. Wolves best forward was little Len Cooper, but he saw little of the ball in the first half, while Round on the other flank couldn't do anything right. Bonson had many tussles with the powerful Higgs, a competent centre half. Left back Hillsdon and 6ft 2 ins. Platts did well against early Wolves raids and goalkeeper Cakebread dealt effectively with Wolves few shot. Two minutes before half time Bonson broke through on the left, his shot from close range was deflected and Mason from the right hand corner of the area put everything he had behind his shot which flew into the far top corner of the net. Half time 1-0.

Within ten minutes of the resumption Mason scored again, with the goalkeeper on the floor following a miss by Bonson. Quarter of an hour later inside left Murray shot a good goal and then after seventy three minutes Harris made a run upfield and put the ball at Bonson's feet. The centre forward turned and swerved round Higgs and from just outside the are cracked the ball into the corner of the net.

Gregory, England's inside left, had hurt his leg when challenging Sidebottom. He went to outside left with Rucker moving inside, where he scored from close range when Minton headed down Platt's free kick.


SATURDAY 27TH MARCH 1954

FA CUP SEMI-FINAL AT VILLA PARK, BIRMINGHAM             Attendance 68,221

WEST BROMWICH ALBION  2 (Dudley, Allen pen) PORT VALE 1 (Leake)

Heath; Rickaby, Millard; Dudley, Dugdale, Barlow;
Griffin, Ryan, Allen, Nicholls, Lee;

King; Turner, Potts; Mullard, Cheadle, Sproson;
Askey, Leake, Hayward, Tomkinson, Cunliffe; 

This was a game I didn't see as for once I had been unable to obtain a ticket such was the demand from both sets of supporters for this Staffordshire derby between hot favourites West Bromwich Albion and giantkillers Port Vale from the Third Division North.

The following report from the Stoke Sentinal was re-printed on the 60th anniversary of the game in 2014.

Vale had stunned the nation. Not only had the Third Division (North) leaders from the Potteries dumped holders Blackpool out of the FA Cup, they had then beaten Leyton Orient to claim a place in the semi-finals. It was a virtually unheard of achievement. Only Milwall in 1937 had done likewise. The only question now was could they win one more game to take their place in the final at Wembley Stadium.

It would not be an easy task but that had not bothered the plucky Valiants before. They were having a superb season. They had already beaten two top flight teams in Cardiff City and Stanley Matthews' Blackpool in the cup and were five points clear in the Third Division (North) having conceded just 17 goals in 41 games. Winston Churchill may have coined the phrase 'Iron Curtain' but the Vale defence became known as the 'Steele Curtain', named after their manager Freddie Steele.

But that defence was likely to be tested as never before in the semi-final, where Vale's opponents were First Division leader West Bromwich Albion. The game was to be played at Villa Park, and Vale were allocated 25,000 tickets. Such was the interest that up to 40,000 fans turned up
for a reserve game at Vale Park the week before in a bid to buy tickets, bringing Burslem to a standstill with enormous queues not seen before or since.

Up to 30,000 supporters had passed through the turnstiles by the time the 'sold out' signs went up at 2.30 p.m., making it technically the biggest gate of the season ....although only 2,000 stayed to watch the reserves play Mossley. Some of those who failed to get a ticket immediately set off for Birmingham, as the next day they were on general sale at West Brom and Villa Park.

                                           Port Vale come out to a great reception.

And so it was that more than 100 coaches and 14 special trains eventually made the trip to Villa Park for the semi-final tie on March 27th 1954. There was huge anticipation as the game got underway in front of 68,221 supporters, and Vale proved they were not overawed when they won the first corner.
Vale keeper Ray King turned away a 20 yard effort from Ronnie Allen as West Brom hit back, but Vale almost scored on 29 minutes when Norman Heath made a desperate save to keep out a Tomkinson header.

The breakthrough came on 40 minutes, and it was Vale who got the goal they had been threatening from the off. Cunliffe put the ball into the Albion goalmouth and after a hectic scramble Albert Leake succeeded in forcing it into the net. It was his seventh FA Cup goal of the season - he had scored in every round bar one - and it send the thousands of Vale fans in Villa Park crazy. 

The second half began in end to end fashion but there were no clear cut chances until the 62nd minute when Jimmy Dudley sent a long, high ball into the middle. It was to be a hammer blow for the Valiants. Tommy Cheadle, who was being bustled by Allen, just about grazed the ball with his head and it dropped into the goalmouth and rolled into the corner of the Vale net after catching King unawares. At 1-1, a replay at Stoke City's Victoria Ground was a possibility, but the Baggies were now scenting blood.

                                              Jimmy Dudley's equalising goal for Albion

Allen had already hit a post when Albion winger George Lee escaped from Stan Turner in the 70th minute and powered towards the Vale goal. Cheadle was in pursuit, and both men crashed to the ground near the edge of the Vale penalty area. Cheadle was left on his back outside the area, while Lee stumbled to the ground inside the box, but Burslem hearts were shattered as the referee pointed to the spot.

Vale skipper Cheadle, who died in 1993 aged 74, would later recall ' I wouldn't say the penalty decision wasn't a foul, but it definitely wasn't in the area.' It was left to Fenton-born Ronnie Allen, a former Vale player sold to West Brom for a club record £20,000 in 1950, to take the penalty. He made no mistake, and Vale were behind for the first time since the first round of the competition.

Five minutes before the end Cunliffe went close with a drive that went just wide, and a minute later Leake actually had the ball in the West Brom net, but was given offside. So near, yet so far. Allen, whose ticket allocation included one for his father, a staunch Vale supporter, said taking the decisive penalty was the most nerve wracking moment of his career.

Colin Askey, who was one of only three survivors (all in their eighties) of the team still alive when this article was reprinted was still convinced that the penalty offence was outside the area and that TV replays confirmed this. He was also devastated when after putting Leake through to score what the Vale players thought was an equaliser, the goal was disallowed just before the end.

So an epic FA cup semi-final. Port Vale felt they were robbed but Albion went to Wembley and beat Preston North End in the final to take the Cup.

Memorable Midlands season 1953-54 - Part five

Posted by Tony Hutton

SATURDAY 23RD JANUARY

DIVISION THREE SOUTH AT FELLOWS PARK, WALSALL                 Attendance 8,734

WALSALL 2 (Dean, Meek) QUEENS PARK RANGERS 0

Chilvers; Horne, Green (capt); Dean, Russon, Tarrant;
Meek, Allsopp, Morris, Jones (G), Columbo;

Brown; Woods, Poppitt; Nicholas, Taylor (capt), Angell;
Tomkys, Petchey, Powell (M), Cameron, Shepherd;

Referee:- W. Ling, Cambridge

Walsall included their newest signing George Meek from Leeds United. Bridgett was injured and Ron Russon deputised. Q.P.R. tried reserve centre half Powell at centre forward, with regular leader Petchey at inside right. In the first minute Petchey put Powell through to shoot fiercely over the bar. When Walsall attacked, Taylor twice had to pass back to goalkeeper Brown. Columbo tried a long shot which Brown saved easily. When Meek took a corner, Brown fumbled the ball on the edge of the area, but Morris shot straight at him.

                                                           George Petchey, Q.P.R.

Walsall nearly scored when Allsopp headed into the goalmouth. Then Morris hooked the ball over Brown's head and it passed just wide of the far post. It was all Walsall and Tarrant sent a twenty five yard shot over the bar. Jones then shot wide after a movement with Meek who was fitting in well. Then Q.P.R. attacked but Petchey shot over the bar. Shepherd's speed was troubling Horne, but Russon was able to keep Powell quiet and Green was in control against Tomkys.

Chilvers, in the Walsall goal saved well, punching a shot from Cameron over the bar. Meek crossed the ball to Columbo with his left foot and Jones had his shot saved by Brown. Then Chilvers again saved brilliantly from Cameron, diving to push the ball round the post. Brown was very good in cutting out centres from both wings. Just before half time Tarrant was brought down and Brown had to tip Horne's fierce free kick over the bar. Half-time 0-0.

Early in the second half Angell drove Tomkys' corner over the laundry behind the goal at the railway end.
Meek then put Morris away up the wing and Brown gave away a corner. Jones then shot straight at Brown from a good position. After fifty six minutes Dean scored with a splendid header into the corner of the net from Columbo's corner, exactly like last season in the same match. Allsopp missed another good chance.
Rangers experiment of playing Powell at centre forward was a failure. He had no idea and was far too vigorous.

Horne and Green lost no time in telling him so after he brought down Russon. Meek played very well throughout and deservedly scored Walsall's second goal again following a left wing corner. Green was injured and moved to outside left with ten minutes remaining, but Walsall held on for a well deserved victory. Powell finally moved to right back with fifteen minutes remaining and Wood tried his hand at centre
forward but to no avail.

Rangers were booed from the field at the end, after a dirty display. In the Walsall side Ted Tarrant stood out, but Green was too slow although Russon proved a good deputy for Jack Bridgett. Columbo was off form and Allsopp is not good enough to be in the team. possibly the best team now available is as follows:-

Chilvers; Horne, Russon; Grubb, Bridgett, Tarrant;
Meek, Dean or Finlay, Morris, Jones, Columbo;


SATURDAY 30TH JANUARY 1954

DIVISION THREE SOUTH AT FELLOWS PARK, WALSALL

WALSALL 0 ALDERSHOT 2  (Gaynor, Banks)

Chilvers; Horne (capt), Flavell; Dean, Bridgett, Tarrant;
Meek, Allsopp, Morris, Jones (G), Colombo;

Brown; Jefferson, Banks (capt) ; Allison, Billington, Wood;
Gaynor, Lacey, McCulloch, Durkin, Flint;

Referee:- J.C. Pollard, Cambridge

Another vital bottom of the table match with Walsall now only five points behind the rest at the bottom of the league after their win over QPR last week. Aldershot are only two places above the Saddlers and in need of points themselves. Walsall wore knee pads as protection against the very hard frosty ground which had been sanded. Dean got in an early header but this and a free kick from Flavell were easily saved by Brown. Billington, well over six foot, fave Walsall's forwards no chance in the air. Morris had a shot charged down and Brown saved a shot from Dean.

Aldershot always looked dangerous, with their clever outside left Flint wandering. Horne and Bridgett were again outstanding in the Walsall defence, but Flavell was often beaten by Gaynor. Colombo had one of his long curling shots which Brown tipped over and Jones had a great run down the right but Brown collected his cross easily.

                                                     Jack Bridgett, Walsall centre half

After forty minutes Aldershot scored when McCulloch wandered to the left and resiting Horne's challenge hit over  centre along the ground. Gaynor coming in from the right hit into the net as Chilvers went down too late. Allsopp then beat three men but shot wide. Half-time 0-1.

After a performance by Newark Imperial Band, the crowd gave great cheers as Walsall attacked, but Aldershot's big kicking defence kept them out. Banks, signed from Bolton three weeks ago, never let Meek get going and right half Allison was the best player on the field. Dean had to leave the field after a heavy fall and argument with Durkin, and although Tarrant gave another good display, Walsall's forwards again disappointed.

Five minutes from the end Banks took a free kick, which Chilvers appeared to have got covered, but as he watched two onrushing forwards, it passed through his hands into the goal. A dismal end to January for the Saddlers and it looks very much as if they will have to apply for re-election to the league once again.



SATURDAY 6TH FEBRUARY 1954

LEAGUE DIVISION ONE AT MOLINEUX, WOLVERHAMPTON

WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS 4  (Hancocks, Swinbourne 3) BLACKPOOL 1 (Stephenson)

Williams; Short, Pritchard; W.J. Slater, Shorthouse, Wright (capt);
Hancocks, Flowers, Swinbourne, Wilshaw, Mullen;

Farm; Shimwell (capt), Frith; Fenton, Crosland, Kelly:
Harris, Mudie, Stephenson, Brown, Perry;


Referee:- J.V. Sherlock, Sheffield

Wolves dropped England Under 23 inside right Peter Broadbent and gave wing half Ron Flowers his first game in attack. Blackpool were well below full strength as they were without England intenationals Garrett, Johnston, Matthews, Mortenson and Taylor. 18 year old Harris played only his third game at outside right as Matthews deputy.

Farm soon had to tip a Hancocks shot cum centre over the bar and then had to hold a rare shot from Wright just under the bar. The orange coloured ball showed up well against the snow covered pitch. Mudie shot over the bar from Harris's pass. Flowers played quite well in his new position, he pushed the ball up to Hancocks who drove it straight across to Mullen's feet. The winger easily beat Shimwell, who was having difficulty turning on the treacherous surface, and centred along the ground to Swinbourne. The centre forward promptly back heeled it across the face of goal and there was Hancocks dashing in to score by the far post.

Straight from the restart Swinbourne sent in a splendid shot which hit the post. Perry was the livewire of Blackpool's depleted attack and Harris showed some clever touches and from one of his centres Williams brilliantly saved a header from Perry. Then Farm saved well from Short at the other end when partially unsighted. Half time 1-0.

Swinbourne was brought down on the edge of the area early in the second half, but Hancocks powerful free-kick rebounded from the barrier of players. Then Flowers, put through by Hancocks, tapped the ball past Farm for Swinbourne to score a simple goal. Ten minutes later Blackpool scored against the run of play. Shorthouse failed to clear and Stephenson ran through to beat Williams with a splendid shot from the edge of the are. Blackpool came more into the game now, playing some really good football.

The three Scots, Hugh Kelly, Jackie Mudie and Alan Brown were all outstanding. Frith, the young left back also had quite a good game, but Crosland who played left back in the 1948 cup final, had problems against the lively Roy Swinbourne often resorting to vigorous tactics to stop him. Stephenson did not get much change out of Shorthouse but took the only chance he had well.

It looked as though Blackpool might equalise but Swinbourne got two more goals in the last six minutes. The first after a Hancocks/Mullen move. The last one was the best of the lot, running through to the left he let fly a terrific left foot shot which was a goal all the way!



SATURDAY 13TH FEBRUARY 1954

LEAGUE DIVISION THREE SOUTH AT FELLOWS PAR, WALSALL

WALSALL 2 (Davis, Meek) COLCHESTER UNITED 3 (Plant 2, Wright)   Attendance 9,819

Baldwin; Horne, Green (capt); Dean, Bridgett, Grub;
Morris, Tarrant, Davis, Jones (G), Meek;

Coombs; Harrison, Lewis; Hill, Bicknell, Elder;
Scott, Barlow (capt), Plant, Dale, Wright (P);

Last time I saw Colchester at Walsall, Jack Winter played one of his first games at centre forward and scored three. Today Len Davis, from Arsenal, made his debut so Walsall had an Irishman at centre forward, a Welshman at inside left and a Scotsman at outside left. Harry Baldwin from Brighton, also made his debut in goal for Walsall.

There was early excitement when Coombs, deputising for the injured Wright, dropped Meek's corner but it was scrambled away. Horne and Bridgett stopped United's early raids and Walsall did most of the attacking, with Davis showing some nice touches. Baldwin soon showed his ability by getting up high to collect a cross shot from Dale. Jones had a good chance from Morris's pass but was tackled just in time. A minute before half-time Walsall scored when Tarrant gave the ball to Davis on the edge of the are. The new player lobbed the ball over Bicknell's head and placed the ball past the advancing keeper. Davis was cheered off the field at the interval. Half-time 1-0.

In the second half Colchester came a lot more into the game. Barlow and Scott combined well and the pair signed from Bury, Plant and Dale, were always dangerous. After seventy four minutes, Plant after stumbling managed to screw the ball home from near the penalty spot. Four minutes later Walsall restored their lead. This time it was Meek who had not played too well, who the took the ball from Tarrant's pass, ran full speed up the wing and cracked in a right foot shot off the bar.

Meek was injured in the act of scoring and limped for the rest of the game With only six minutes to go, after an obvious hand ball, Peter Wright managed to evade Horne and sent an intended centre across. It hit the bar and went in to bring the sides level at 2-2. Horne suffered two bad attacks of cramp and writhed in agony on the ground before going off for the closing minutes. Colchester took advantage and with two minutes to go Plant headed the winner from Dales' cross.

Baldwin had no chance with the goals, Grubb attacked well, but Green and Dean were too slow in defence. Lewis and Hill were best in defence for Colchester, but all their lively forwards did well in the second half. Once again, injury hit Walsall were very unlucky.


WEDNESDAY 24TH FEBRUARY 1954

CENTRAL LEAGUE AT THE HAWTHORNS, WEST BROMWICH

W.B.A. RESERVES 3 (Carter, Evans, Jones) LEEDS UNITED RESERVES 2 (Willis, Adams)


  Sanders; Haddington, Williams; Rawlings, Kennedy (capt), Brookes;
Jones, Evans, Cox, Carter, Crowshaw;

Wheatley; Ashall, Ross; Ripley, Tyrer, McCabe (capt);
Adams, Webb, Forrest, Willis, Burbanks;

Leeds got off to a good start after Sanders had blocked a shot, Adams hit home the rebound after only four minutes. Albion's forwards were always dangerous  but Carter wasted several good chances and Evans smacked the ball against the post. After fifteen minutes Albion drew level, Cox put the ball to Jones who centred for Carter running in to head it past Wheatley, who made many good saves. After thirty minutes Albion took  the lead.  Evans got the ball on the edge of the are and tried a speculative shot. It was going straight to Wheatley in the Leeds goal when a gust of wind made it swing away from him into the net.
Half time 2-1.

In the second half the play was very even and both centre halves Joe Kennedy and Tyrer, normally a winger, played well. Leeds small forward line, prompted by veteran Eddie Burbanks,combined very well and were well supported by Irish international Jim McCabe and the tall Ripley. Haddington and Williams were not up to their previous standard, but young Billy Brookes becomes more than ever like Ray Barlow. Jones had quite a good game but Crowshaw was too slow. Willis equalised for Leeds when put through by Burbanks but Jones secured victory for Albion five minutes from time, pushing in Cox's perfect centre from the right.