WEDNESDAY 2ND SEPTEMBER, 1959 Attendance 35,600
LEAGUE DIVISION ONE AT THE HAWTHORNS, WEST BROMWICH
WEST BROMWICH ALBION 1 (Hogg) TOTTENHAM HOTSPURS 2 (Harmer, Smith)
Potter; Howe, Williams S.G.; Dudley, Kennedy, Barlow (capt);
Hogg, Jackson, Robson, Kevan, Dixon;
Brown; Baker, Hopkins; Blanchflower (capt), Norman, MacKay;
Medwin, Harmer, Smith, Dunmore, Jones;
Referee:- J.S. McLoughlin, Manchester
Both sides took time to settle down and although there was plenty of attractive football it was some time before any scoring attempt was made. Spurs began to get into their stride but Kennedy, Howe and Barlow were all in outstanding form. Robson had the best chance of the first half when put clean through, but Brown diving to his left made a great save near the foot of the post.
After thirty four minutes Spurs went ahead with rather a freak goal. Harmer took a corner on the left wing, the ball was headed back to him and from a position right on the goal line near the corner flag, he lobbed the ball into the middle right under the crossbar. Potter took his eyes of it for a fatal moment as Bobby Smith came charging in and only succeeded in pushing the ball over his head into the net. Half time 0-1.
Soon after the interval Albion almost got an equally freakish equaliser when Hogg centred to the far poast and Baker running back almost breasted it into his own goal. After sixty one minutes Albion did manage to score, a fine run by Dixon, of whom little had been seen so far, ended with a grand cross field pass to Hogg running in near the by line to score with a narrow angled shot which went through Brown's legs.
Hogg, who had a miserable first half was now approaching his normal form and one of his centres started a terrific scramble in the Spurs penalty area, but Kevan could not force his way through the packed Spurs defence in which Norman and MacKay were outstanding. Finally with five minutes left Jones who had been blotted out by Howe, switch wings, dribbled in along the bye line and centred for Smith to nudge the ball home from close range to win the points.
THURSDAY 10TH SEPTEMBER, 1959
LEAGUE DIVISION FOUR AT FELLOWS PARK, WALSALL Attendance 15,403
WALSALL 0 CARLISLE UNTIED 1 (Haddington og)
Christie; Haddington, Guttridge (capt); Billingham, McPherson, Rawlings;
Davies, Faulkner, Richards, Hodgkisson, Taylor;
Thompson; Brown, Troops (capt); McMillan, Doran, Bradley;
Mooney, Walker, McGill, Tulloch, Murray;
Referee:- H.J. Husband, London
Walsall, with five matches played, started this game top of the Fourth Division table and with an unbeaten record. In this grand start to the season inside right Roy Faulkner had scored seven goals. The only newcomer to the side this season is John Christie, the goalkeeper from Southampton. Carlisle included former England 'B' goalkeeper George Thompson, formerly of Manchester City and Preston North End.
Within a minute of the start Walsall were a goal down in tragic circumstances. Haddington raced across to clear an awkward ball, bouncing near the penalty spot, with his left foot and instead of hooking it away, only succeeded in slicing it over Christie's head into the net.
This early setback seemed to upset Walsall for they never settled down and and the expected easy victory was not forthcoming. Carlisle's nippy forwards took advantage of Walsall's shaky defence to get in sever dangerous raids, but their finishing was not up to standard. Half time 0-1.
Walsall did little attacking during the first half but after the interval seemed to be getting into their stride. However the visitors defence in which centre half Doran, a dour uncompromising player, was outstanding proved too much for the struggling Walsall forwards who never found anything like their usual form. It was not all bad play however which prevented the Saddlers from scoring, for they also had more than their fair share of bad luck. Several shots went very close, other were well saved by Thompson and more often than not the Carlisle defenders made seemingly lucky interceptions at the vital moment.
However, there can be no excuse. Walsall should have won and won convincingly at that. This form will certainly not retain their place at the top of the table and it is to be hoped that it will prove to be the exception rather than the rules in a season which could be one of Walsall's best ever.
THURSDAY 22ND SEPTEMBER, 1959
LEAGUE DIVISION FOUR AT FELLOWS PARK, WALSALL
WALSALL 1 (Faulkner) DARLINGTON 0 Attendance 13,124
Christie; Haddington, Guttridge (capt); Billingham, Jones, McPherson;
Davies, Faulkner, Richards, Hodgkisson, Taylor;
Turner; Dunn (capt), Henderson; Furphy, Spencer, Poole;
Morton, Downie, Darbyshire, Milner, Redfearn;
Referee:- J.H. Brooks, London
Walsall, still head of the table jointly with Milwall, made a surprise late change as Tim Rawlings was found to be suffering from tonsillitis when he reported to the ground. Albert McPherson, himself just recovered from injury, was therefore brought in as emergency left half. Darlington were captained by former Leeds United full back Jimmy Dunn and also including one time Manchester United star Johnny Downie.
McPherson looked most out of place in a number six shirt, but the wisdom of playing him soon became apparent when Stan Jones suffered an ankle injury and was forced to leave the field midway through the first half. 'Mac' promptly resumed his rightful position at centre half and Ken Hodgkisson moved back to wing half. This obviously unsettled the home side for a time, but Darlington were equally ineffective when it came to playing constructive football. The experienced Dunn was outstanding in Darlington's defence against Walsall's liveliest forward Colin Taylor. Half time 0-0.
After the interval, during which it was announced that Jones had gone to hospital for treatment, it was a different story. Walsall dominated the game and one would have thought it was Darlington who had only ten men. Richards, who had previously missed the best chance of the first half, and Faulkner both had clear runs to goal and both shot just past the post. With Hodgkisson doing two men's work, it was all Walsall but Darlington with goalkeeper Turner in fine form looked as through they would keep them out.
Finally with the crowed roaring them on Walsall staged a grandstand finish. Faulkner took a free kick on the left hand edge of the penalty area, the ball was blocked and returned to him and he let fly a terrific shot all along the ground through the crowded penalty area to finish in the far corner of the net. A great goal and how the crowd roared throughout the remaining ten minutes, during which a great diving save by Turner prevented Richards from adding another goal.
SATURDAY 26TH SEPTEMBER, 1959
LEAGUE DIVISION ONE AT DEEPDALE, PRESTON
PRESTON NORTH END 4 (Taylor, Finney 2, 1 pen, Smith) MANCHESTER UNITED 0
Else; Cunningham, Walton; Milne, Dunn, Smith;
Mayers, Farrall, Finney (capt), Sneddon, Taylor;
Gregg; Foulkes, Carolan; Violett (capt), Cope, McGuiness;
Bradley, Quixall, Dawson, Charlton, Scanlon;
Referee:- R.H. Windle, Chesterfield
Manchester United, at present struggling through a bad patch, experimented by moving skipper Dennis Violett from centre forward to right half. They brought in young Alex Dawson at centre forward. Preston were also experimenting with veteran winger Tom Finney playing in the unaccustomed role of centre forward.
There was an early fright for United when Finney dribbled round Gregg and passed to Mayers, however Foulkes came to the rescue and headed off the line. After fifteen minutes North End went ahead when Mayers found a way round full back Joe Carolan and centred to Taylor on the left hand edge of the area.
The little winger picked his spot and scored with a well placed low shot;
It was all Preston and Gregg made a splendid flying save from a fierce drive by right half Gordan Milne. United's inside forwards were sadly out of touch and Scanlon only once found his was past the stalwart Cunningham. On this occasion Walton was forced to kick out for a corner but this came to nothing. Finney was not taking things too strenuously but his clever flicks and intelligent use of the ball troubled United's defenders.
In one attack on the left Finney pulled the ball back with sole of his left foot, before chipping it across with his right, only for Mayers to head just wide. Just before half time Gregg completely missed a corner from Mayers. The ball hit Foulkes and was deflected towards goal but Cope was there to head off the line.
Half time 1-0.
In the second half after early United attacks had come to nothing, Preston once again got into their stride. Farrall, the weak link in attack, missed two glorious chances. With Sneddon and Finney scheming well and Mayers doing as he liked with Carolan, North End swamped United during the last quarter of an hour. Finney beat Gregg to the ball, lobbed it over his head, and with the goalkeeper out of position Carolan stopped Mayers' header on the line with his hands. Finney took the penalty and gave Gregg no chance with a low shot which went in off the foot of the post.
Ten minutes later Mayers dribbled round two defenders, pulled the ball back from the bye-line and Sneddon scored with a low shot. Then in the very last minute of the game Mayers again waltzed round Carolan and Finney flung himself at the ball and glanced it with his head right out of Gregg's reach into the corner of the net for goal number four.
Preston, for whom wing halves Milne and Smith had impressive games, gave a grand display and bounced back well from their 5-1 defeat at Spurs last week. It must be said that United are not a shadow of last season's time. Bobby Charlton was unrecognisable and never in the game.
MONDAY 28TH SEPTEMBER, 1959
FRIENDLY MATCH AT ST ANDREWS, BIRMINGHAM Attendance 20,000
BIRMINGHAM CITY 1 (Larkin) ALL STARS XI 5 (Barrett 3, McIlroy, Clough)
Schofield; Sissons, Farmer; Watts, Smith (capt) (sub Foster), Neal;
Hellawell (sub Astall), Gordon (sub Orritt), Orritt (sub Larkin), Larkin (sub Hume), Hooper;
Gregg (Man Utd & Ireland); Edwards (Charlton & Wales); Wilson (Huddersfield Town);
Adamson (Burnley), Gratrix (Blackpool), Docherty (Arsenal & Scotland, capt);
Medwin (Spurs & Wales), McIlroy (Burnley & Ireland), Clough (Middlesborough), Barrett (Notts Forest),
Mullen (Wolves & England);
Referee:- H.J. Husband, London
The proceeds of this match were for the dependants of Jeff Hall, the City and England full back who died from polio at the end of last season, and for a permanent memorial at the St Andrews ground which will take the form of a scoreboard.
Jeff Hall (Birmingham City and England)
Birmingham City, struggling at the foot of the First Division, have had trouble in scoring goals this season and the reason soon became apparent. Against a very leisurely All Stars defence, they had chances galore during the first half and wasted them all with poor shooting. The main culprits were the terrible twins, Orritt and Larkin, who wasted some fine openings made by Hooper, their best forward.
Hooper, showing exasperation with his young colleagues tried his own luck and was equally unsuccessful. Wilson the much publicised Huddersfield full back, who has won a place in the English League side and has been freely tipped for a place in the full England team, gave a most impressive display. On the other hand Brian Clough, another on the verge of England honours was subdued by Trevor Smith. Half time 0-0.
After the interval, Birmingham made several changes, notably the introduction of an untried youngster Winston Foster in place of Smith at centre half. This move proved disastrous for Blues but at least gave the crowd more entertainment than was available during the first half. Five minutes after the re-start Barrett shot home from a Medwin centre to put the All Stars in front. Another right wing move ended with McIlroy, who had demonstrated some of his most intricate dribbled, also shooting past Schofield in the Birmingham goal.
Then Mullen passed to word to Docherty that this was his last match and how about a few passes. From that moment on he received a stream of passes that wingers dream about and proceeded to mesmerise poor Sissons at right back for the Blues. After seventy five minutes one of his centres from the left was headed home brilliantly by Clough, who leaped high in the air to beat Schofield.
A similar move ended with Barrett this time flicking the ball home with the back of his head and finally the Notts Forest reserve player, brought in to replace Ivor Allchurch, Newcastle's Welsh international, completed his hat trick after Mullen had yet again dribbled along the goal line.With Gregg dribbling the ball outside the penalty area, Gratrix racing off upfield and everyone trying to lay on a last goal for Mullen, Larkin eventually pulled back a consolation goal for the sorry Blues.
SATURDAY 3RD OCTOBER, 1959
LEAGUE DIVISION FOUR AT FELLOWS PARK, WALSALL
WALSALL 3 (Davies 2, Richards) WATFORD 4 (Uphill, Holton 3)
Christie; Haddington, Sharples; Billingham, McPherson (capt), Rawlings;
Davies, Faulkner, Richards, Hodgkisson, Taylor;
Linton; Price, Nicholas; Catleugh, McNiece, Chung;
Benning, Holton, Uphill, Hartle, Bunce;
Referee:- N.N. Hough, Macclesfield
Top of the table Walsall were again without skipper Bill Guttridge, who is suffering from a shoulder injury.
Watford, a side which has improved greatly during the last few matches, were captained by former Arsenal star Cliff Holton who has scored six goals in the last seven games.
In glorious sunshine, quite unlike October, Walsall took the early initiative. The first exciting moment came when Taylor got across a beautiful centre with his right foot and Richards racing in just headed past the post.
Another good header by Richards was well saved by Linton and then the visiting goalkeeper was brought to his knees to save a fierce drive from Taylor.
The outside left was certainly proving Walsall's liveliest forward and when Richards cleverly lobbed the ball in from the left, Taylor running in at full speed hit it on the volley with everything he had, only to see his shot graze the crossbar. Richards also drove over with another good effort, but Watford gradually settled down to play some clever combined football.
After twenty eight minutes the visitors scored, Christie could only palm a way a centre from Bunce, who had eluded Haddington, and Dennis Uphill, the former Spurs player, had an easy job to head the ball into the empty net. Watford with a very strong half back line and a most immaculate looking left back in the former Arsenal junior Nicholas, looked by far the better side. After thirty eight minutes Uphill sent in a hard shot which Christie could not hold and Holton tapped the ball in for another easy goal.
A minute before the interval however Walsall did find the net, when Davies ran in to head home a left wing cross from full back Sharples, the former Villa man, who was having quite a good game. Half time 1-2.
Soon after the interval Walsall very nearly equalised, Richards side-stepped McNeice, a much sought after centre half, and sent in a fierce shot which Linton could not quite hold, it fell behind him but he recovered well to prevent it crossing the line. After fifty eight minutes Watford went further ahead, Holton taking a pass from Catleugh and calmly steering the ball home.
At 3-1 down Walsall were still not finished and kept up their persistent attacks. In one of these Richards was brought down just inside the penalty are by McNeice and after consulting a linesman, the referee awarded a penalty. Billingham, who was not playing left back as Sharples suffering with concussion had gone onto the left wing, strode up to take the kick. To everyone's surprise he drove the ball straight at Linton who had no difficulty in saving. This was Billingham's first miss from the spot for Walsall.
Another piece of bad luck for the league leaders came when Linton failed to hold a powerful shot from Faulkner. The ball spun from his hands and appeared to be crossing the line when Nicholas raced across to kick clear. The crowd and the Walsall forwards all appealed for a goal but the referee waved play on.
However the home side did at last score again after seventy minutes play when Davies unleashed a surprise left foot shot which flew through a crowd of players into the far corner of the net. So 3-2 to Watford.
Walsall's hopes of snatching a draw did not last long as five minutes later Holton strolled through the middle and making goal scoring look easy completed his hat trick. That made it 4-2 to Watford but Walsall still fought back strongly and with just over five minutes to play they made it 4-3. Davies sent over a perfect centre from the right and Richards headed a splendid goal. At this point Nicholas, the Watford left back was hurt. After receiving attention, he hobbled slowly to the centre forward position to kick off, thus holding up the game for some time. Holton moved to left back and gave his side a good example in time wasting by kicking the ball out of play to the farthest extremity of the field.
Walsall tried desperately for a late equaliser, but the referee did not allow any extra time for injuries or the Watford time wasting tactics and so the Saddlers suffered their second home defeat of the season. Although Walsall suffered atrocious bad luck they did not deserve to win by any means and Watford played much superior football. Walsall's weaknesses are hard to define, but no doubt the return of Guttridge will strengthen the defence.
Billingham, apart from missing the vital penalty, had a poor game all round and it is to be hoped that he will recover his form of last season soon. Although Davies scored twice and made the other goal, he did little else right. The return of Askey has been delayed by further injuries when he was already recovering from a cartilage operation and there is no doubt that his skill is badly needed to counterbalance the enthusiasm and hard running of Taylor on the other flank.
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