Back in Yorkshire for Easter 1950-51

Posted by Tony Hutton

(The Easter school holidays in 1951 gave me an opportunity to visit my grandparents and other family friends back in my home county of Yorkshire. So not only a change of scene but able to see matches at Huddersfield Town, Leeds United and Hull City)

SATURDAY 24TH MARCH, 1951

LEAGUE DIVISION ONE AT LEEDS ROAD, HUDDERSFIELD

HUDDERSFIELD TOWN 2 (Nightingale, Taylor (J)) DERBY COUNTY 0

Wheeler; Gallogly, Kelly; McGarry, McEvoy, Boot;
Nightingale, Glazzard, Taylor (J), Hassall, Metcalfe;

Webster; Bell, Revell; Mays, Oliver, Musson;
Harrison, Stamps, Lee, Morris, McLaren;

Referee:- B.J. Flanagan, Sheffield

Huddersfield, desperately battling against relegation (yet again), had right half Bill McGarry, recently signed from Port Vale, making his home debut and experimented with inside forward Albert Nightingale on the right wing.

Right from the start, Nightingale was prominent in Town attacks and after eleven minutes play he cut inside and beat Webster with left foot shot from a narrow angle.
Two minutes later they were further head when Jeff Taylor headed a fine goal from McGarry's free kick. 

the Town centre forward leaps to head the winner.

Hassall had a great chance to increase the lead but took the ball too far and Webster was able to dive at this feet to make a good save. Glazzard hit the post with a header from a Metcalfe centre and although the Derby wingers threatened danger at times, Huddersfield were on top for most of the game.

The second half was marred by poor finishing by the home forwards who had countless opportunities to increase their lead, but failed to do so. However, they can take consolation from the fact that McGarry looks a very good signing indeed and should play a big part in keeping Huddersfield in the first division.


EASTER MONDAY 26TH MARCH, 1951

LEAGUE DIVISION TWO AT ELLAND ROAD, LEEDS

LEEDS UNITED 3 (Stevenson, Charles 2) HULL CITY 0

Searson; Dunn, Milburn; Kerfoot, Kirk, Burden (capt);
Harrison, Igglesden, Charles, Stevenson, Williams;

Robinson; Hassall, Varney; Jensen, Franklin, Mellor;
Harison, Smith, Ackerman, Revie, Burbanks;

A match which started in sunshine finished in a blizzard, much to the consternation of the spectators on the Kop end (of which I was one), who got a soaking. Conditions for the players became almost improssible but the young Welshman, John Charles, revelled in it and his move to centre forward paid off with two goals. This despite the fact that he was up against former England centre half, Neil Franklin. 

Both teams showed many changes from Saturday with the busy Easter programme taking its toll. Many regulars were missing none more so than Hull player manager Raich Carter, whose prompting and inspiration was badly missed by the visitors, who only managed a consolation goal from Don Revie.

Many team changes during busy Easter weekend

Match report from the Yorkshire Post.

Interest was divided in the match at Elland Road yesterday between John Charles, Welsh international centre half, now playing at centre forward for Leeds United, Neil Franklin's clash with him, and the referee's determination to finish the match despite a heavy ground which eventually became covered in snow. Charles scored twice and thereby justified United's experiment. Franklin played delightful football and but for him United might have won by six or seven goals, and the referee beat the weather.

All the players, the officials and that part of the 27,000 crowd that had to stand in the open (including me!) were heroes to stick it out. The crowd's part was the easiest, for it was a hard entertaining match, surprisingly full of good football on a day when the ball squirted in the mud, stopped in the snow became as heavy as lead and performed unpredictable antics. United's forwards missed more chances than they took, but they deserve praise for having created those chances against Hull's best department.

This was their half back line and while the inside forwards Stevenson and Igglesden worked liked terriers all through the match., Peter Harrison, the outside right, was the next best forward to Charles.

He might not have been, but for an injury early in the second half to outside left Eddie Burbanks, which caused him to leave the field for strapping and then to retire from the game before the end.

Burbanks had been the best Hull forward until that happened and as United were only one goal up at that time it might have had a bearing on the result. The rest of the Hull line in which Smith took the part of Carter, was seldom in the game except when Revie helped out in defence  and an occasional challenge by Ackerman. The defence had to bear the brunt of the work and while Harrison found a way around Varney, Hassall played nearly as well as usual in opposition to Williams.

Franklin confirmed previous impressions that he is rapidly settling down. He had to cover all parts of his half of the field and he did it well. He was not once at fault when Charles scored and again when the young Welshman had a shot blocked on the line by Hassall. Charles got his goals by moving about the field; here was no orthodox down the middle centre forward but a man with a football brain able to sense the right position to take up.

Charles is not yet as good a centre forward as he is a centre half back; all his footballing life he has had the ball coming to him, now it is rolling with him and he needs a different technique, but when he has mastered that he may be very good indeed. Both his goals were well taken; so too was Stevenson's.     

EASTER TUESDAY 27TH MARCH, 1951                     Attendance 32,401

LEAGUE DIVISION ONE AT LEEDS ROAD, HUDDERSFIELD

HUDDERSFIELD TOWN 1 (Glazzard) WEST BROMWICH ALBION 2 (Barlow 2)

Wheeler; Gallogly, Kelly; McGarry, McEvoy, Boot;
Nightingale, Glazzard, Taylor J., Hassall, Metcalfe;

Sanders; Rickaby, Millard; Kennedy, Vernon (capt), Ryan;
Gordon, Smith, Barlow, McCall, Allen;

Town fielded an unchanged side from Saturday's game with Derby but could not match the same winning performance, despite another goal from Jeff Taylor. Albion made an unusual change by moving left half Ray Barlow to centre forward. The move paid off with the tale, fair haired player grabbing two goals to win the game for the visitors.

 Match report from Yorkshire Post.

The sort of football Huddersfield Town played yesterday will get them down into the Second Division 
in quick time. They have no defensive stability and no ideas of attacking; they did not at any time hold out any encouragement for the big crowd of more than 30,000 that West Bromwich Albion, whose main strength was in their full back Rickaby and Millard, centre half Vernon and centre forward Barlow, would be beaten.  

West Bromwich were so disappointed with their form on Monday that only one forward, McCall, kept his position at inside left. Barlow played at left half back on Monday and has held that position for most of the season, although when the former West Bromwich forward Jimmy Cookson spotted him in junior football he was an inside forward. Barlow played as an inside forward during West Bromwich's promotion season but has only one or two appearances as leader of the attack. He was a success yesterday as he scored two goals with well taken headers and also provided his inside forwards with chances they were too slow to take.

The first goal, just after the second half had started, came from a corner kick which Allen swung over for Barlow to head just wide of Wheeler's reach. The second came from a free kick when Eddie Boot accidently handled the ball ten yards inside his own half and Kennedy planted it again into the goalmouth where Wheeler came out too soon to stop Barlow's header. 

McCall was the only other troublesome forward and he faded out during the second half , but even so Town's long clearance kicks were made without discretion so that the ball seldom went truly to the forwards, who even when they got it could not plan a direct attack. Their goal resulted from one of their few attractive movements, Metcalfe taking the ball along the left hand touchline and swinging across a well judged centre which Glazzard headed into goal as Sanders mistakenly tried to intercept.

There were some neat touches from both half back lines particularly Vernon and Town's new right half McGarry, but this was one of those occasions when Town sadly disappointed; these days at Leeds Road Town play as champions or second-raters. It was a pity, for the pitch was perfect and the day ideal which was a surprise after Monday's snow.  

     

SATURDAY 31ST MARCH, 1951

LEAGUE DIVISION TWO AT BOOTHFERRY PARK, HULL

HULL CITY 2 (Gerrie, Ackerman) CARDIFF CITY 0

Robinson; Hassall, Varney; Jensen, Franklin, Mellor;
Harrison, Revie, Gerrie, Carter (capt), Ackerman;

Joslin; Williams (G), Sherwood (capt); Hollyman, Montgomery, Baker;
Tiddy, Marchant, Grant, McLaughlin, Edwards;

Referee:- I.A.M. Mackay, London

Hull City were without their regular left winger Eddie Burbanks and Alf Ackerman, the South African, normally a centre forward had his first league game in that position.
Hull comfortably placed in the middle of the table, had little to worry about, but Cardiff, second in the table to Preston, needed every possible point for their promotion effort.

Both sides got in good attacking movements during the first few minutes. Cardiff's main danger seemed to be their nineteen year old right winger, Mike Tiddy, but Neil Franklin, the big money signing from Stoke, was in commanding mood in the middle of defence. After ten minutes play Hull took the lead when a free kick was awarded ten yeards outside the penalty are for a foul on Gerrie. The kick was taken by player-manager Carter whose shot was deflected behind the barrier of Cardiff defenders to Revie. The inside right shot against the post and Gerrie, running in, hit it into the net.

Ackerman appeared to be settling down well on the left wing and responded well to maestro Carter's promptings. The Hull defence was in full command of the situation with Varney and Mellor prominent in blotting out the dangerous Cardiff right wing.
Half-time 1-0.

Tiddy showed his speed again early in the second half, he rounded Varney, but again the immaculate Franklin was on hand to head clear. Cardiff were making a good fight of it but could make little impression on the Hull defence, in which Robinson the former Blackpool goalkeeper was rarely called upon.

After seventy three minutes Hull increased their lead when, from Carter's pass, Gerrie side flicked the ball to Ackerman cutting in from the left and he slammed it into the net. This stung Cardiff into action and Robinson was at last brought into the game to deal with two splendid shots from left half Baker. The goalkeeper  saved the first one brilliantly and the second one dropped just over the bar. A good win for the Tigers.

Black Country football 1950-51 (part five)

Posted by Tony Hutton

SATURDAY 10TH FEBRUARY 1951

F.A. CUP FIFTH ROUND AT MOLINEUX, WOLVERHAMPTON

WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS 2 (Dunn 2) HUDDERSFIELD TOWN 0

Williams; Short, Pritchard; Chatham, Shorthouse, Wright (capt);
Hancocks, Walker, Swinbourne, Dunn, Mullen;

Wheeler; Hepplewhite, Kelly; Batty, McEvoy, Senior;
Glazzard, Hassall, Taylor (J), Nightingale, Metcalfe;

A rare chance to catch up with Huddersfield Town who made a good game of it
despite a few positional changes which saw regular centre half George Hepplewhite at right back against the speedy Mullen. It was my first sighting of Don McEvoy who was to become such a stalwart for Town at centre half.

The game was decided by two goals from Scottish inside forward Jimmy Dunn and the powerful Wolves defence was able to hold the Town forward line in check for most of the game.

THURSDAY 15TH FEBRUARY, 1951

LEAGUE DIVISION THREE SOUTH AT FELLOWS PARK, WALSALL

WALSALL 1 (Winter) BRISTOL ROVERS 2 (Bradford, Morgan)

Lewis; Jones, Skidmore; Walters, Russon, Devlin;
Bowen, Dearson, Winter, O'Neill, Allison;

Hoyle; Bamford, Fox; Edwards, Warren, Sampson;
Bush, Bradford, Lambden, Morgan, Watling;

Referee:- B.M. Griffiths, Newport, Monmouthshire.

Walsall, fresh from a 3-1 home win over Aldershot faced the team of the moment. Rovers having reached the sixth round of the FA cup for the first time and also pressing for promotion in third place. Three of their players were involved in a car accident on Monday and Rovers applied for a postponement, but it was not granted.
Walsall were obviously keen to play, having won three and drawn one since the signing of Winter and O'Neill.

However, Rovers with three reserve players in the side took two more valuable points to take them to second in the league behind Notts Forest. Brian Bush, one of the reserves on the right wing, had the beating of left back Skidmore and sent over the corner which brought the first goal for Bradford. Bush also laid on the second goal in the 25th minute his centre being headed home by Jim Morgan.

Walsall did get what proved to be a consolation goal from Winter in the 65th minute, but Rovers always looked dangerous on the break. Winter, the former Sheffield United player, headed the goal from a short cross by Dearson and the only othe Walsall player to impress was Henry Walters with his usual untiring display in defence.

Bristol defended well in the last 25 minutes and goalkeeper Bert Hoyle made one glorious save as Bowen picked his spot from only eight yards out. Rovers now face the daunting task of travelling to Newcastle United in the sixth round of the cup.

(Bristol Rovers did in fact hold Newcastle, the eventual cup winners, to a goal less draw at St James's Park, only to lose the replay at Eastville by three goals to one)



SATURDAY 17TH FEBRUARY, 1951

LEAGUE DIVISION THREE SOUTH AT FELLOWS PARK, WALSALL

WALSALL 4 (Skidmore 2 (1 pen), Devlin, Dearson) MILLWALL 0

Lewis; Jones, Skidmore; Walters, Russon, Devlin;
Bowen, Dearson, Winter, O'Neill, Allison;

Finlayson; Quinn, Jardine; Short, Bowler, Reeves;
Johnson, Constantine, Neary, Morgan, Jones (J);

Despite having been in action only two days earlier Walsall fielded an unchanged side.
The bounced back in style from the defeat on Thursday and had a runaway win over a Milwall side which included several big name players.

Star of the show was powerful left back Bill Skidmore with two tremendous goals from his trusty left foot. The first from a penalty and the second from a free kick. Further goals from former striker Devlin and Dearson helped the home side to one of their biggest wins for some time.

SATURDAY 24TH FEBRUARY 1951

LEAGUE DIVISION ONE AT THE HAWTHORNS, WEST BROMWICH

WEST BROMWICH ALBION 1 (Dudley) DERBY COUNTY 2 (Stamps, Harrison)

Sanders; Rickaby, Millard; Kennedy, Vernon (capt), Barlow;
Allen, Dudley, Richardson, McCall, Lee;

Webster; Parr, Mozley; Ward, Oliver, Musson;
Harrison, Stamps, Lee, Morris, McLaren;

The home attack did not seem able to get going at all during the first half and it came as no surprise when Derby took the lead after thirty four minutes. Jack Stamps scored a typical goal with a grand shot on the turn which gave Sanders no chance at all.

Neither side looked dangerous in front of goal, Derby's centre forward Jack Lee being blotted out by Jack Vernon and the tall fair haired Oliver giving little scope to Albion's Richardson. Derby's best fowards were Stamps and clever little Johnny Morris always scheming for an opening. Half-time 0-1.

Ten minutes after the restart Jimmy Dudley scored a well taken goal for Albion following a good combined forward move. Albion now piled on the pressure and almost overwhelmed the hard pressed Derby defernce. Richardson and Lee both hit the bar and Terry Webster made many good saves in the Derby goal. However Albion just could not get the ball in the net.

With only seconds left to play Derby snatched the winning goal. A free kick taken by England international wing half, Tim Ward, caused a mix up in the penalty area and outside right Harrison dashed in to push the ball home.

SATURDAY 3RD MARCH 1951

LEAGUE DIVISON ONE AT MOLINEUX, WOLVERHAMPTON

WOLVES 4 (Swinbourne 2, Hancocks 2) SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY 0

Williams; Short, Pritchard; Russell, McLean, Wright (capt);
Hancocks, Walker, Swinbourne, Dunn, Mullen;

Morton; Jackson, Curtis; Gannon, Packard, Witcomb;
Marriott, Froggatt, Ricketts, Thomas, Woodhead;

Referee:- A.C. Denham, Preston

Wolves, cup semi-finalists against Newcastle next week and seventh in the league, faced a desperate Sheffield side who are facing relegation after being promoted only last season. Wolves had burly Angus McLean deputising for Bill Shorthouse at centre half and Wednesday experimented with tiny winger Wally Ricketts at centre forward.

It was soon evident that Wolves would stroll away with the game as after twelve minutes Roy Swinbourne headed a grand goal when Dunn back-headed the ball to him. Nine minutes later Hancocks, in great form, cut inside his full back then advanced into the penalty area to score with a fierce left foot shot.

Four minutes later Wolves were three up after another Hancocks centre and there was Swinbourne to head it into the net again. Half time 3-0.

Wolves eased up somewhat during the second half and added only one more goal when Hancocks scored with a long range effort almost from the touchline. The key to Wolves domination of the game was the success of their two wingers. Hancocks did as he liked against Curtis, although the left back did clear three scoring efforts off the line. The right back Jackson, playing only his third first division game, was also unable to control Mullen on the Wolves left wing.

Wednesday did contribute some attractive approach play but the only forward with any ideas of finishing was Redfern Froggatt who sent in one effort which struck Williams' body then hit the upright and bounced out again. Little Ricketts had a hopeless task trying to get the better of his huge opponent, McLean, and it seems very unlikely that this experiment will be continued.

SATURDAY 10TH MARCH, 1951

LEAGUE DIVISION THREE SOUTH AT FELLOWS PARK, WALSALL

WALSALL O NOTTS FOREST 2 (Collindridge, Leverton) 

Lewis; Jones, Skidmore; Walters, Russon, Devlin; 
Bowen, Dearson, Winter, O'Neill, Allison;

Walker; Hutchinson, Thomas; Morley, Gager, Burkitt;
Scott, Johnson, Leverton, Capel, Collindridge;

Referee:- R.A. Mortimore, Huddersfield

Forest, top of the league now by only one point after recent defeats were stiff opposition for Walsall despite the home side's recent revival. Forest's manager, Billy Walker, had built up a fine side. His most recent acquisition  being former Sheffield United winger Colin Collindridge.

Notts Forest 1950-51

Walsall's recent good form saw 2,000 fans travel to Port Vale's new ground last week, where the Saddlers obtained a hard earned point, thanks to a spectacular first goal for the club by Henry Walters. The stalwart defender is in his fifth season with the club and his first goal looked like gaining a victory until the equaliser went in with ten minutes remaining.



The following two press reports make interesting reading
concentrating on the two Yorkshiremen in Walsall's ranks
left back Bill Skidmore and centre forward Jack Winter.

(Forest did eventually win the Third Division South title at
the end of the season with a six point margin over Norwich
City. They scored a total of 110 goals and conceeded only
40 in their 46 matches)

 

SATURDAY 17TH MARCH, 1951

LEAGUE DIVISION ONE AT MOLINEUX, WOLVERHAMPTON

WOLVES 2 (Walker, Swinbourne) PORTSMOUTH 3 (Munday 2, Reid)

Williams; Short, Pritchard; Russell, Shorthouse, Wright (capt);
Hancocks, Broadbent, Swinbourne, Walker, Mullen;

Butler; Stephen, Ferrier; Scoular, Froggatt, Dickinson;
Harris, Reid, Munday, Philips, Gaillard;

The visitors, Portsmouth, had won the first division league title for the previous two seasons, but were now struggling below half way in the table five places below Wolves. There were a few changes in personnel for the champions, the most notable of which was the switching of England international outside left Jack Froggatt to centre half, which seemed a most unusual move. However he took to his new position like a duck to water and proved an excellent replacement for former captain Reg Flewin.

Two newcomers were in the Portsmouth team, a smallish centre forward Albert Munday who scored two goals in this match and a Belgian outside left Marcel Gaillard. The rest of the side with two international wing halves, Jimmy Scoular of Scotland and Jimmy Dickinson of England, remained unchanged and they certainly taught Wolves a lesson today, winning a close match by 3-2.

Wolves gave a debut to a young inside forward Peter Broadbent recently signed from Brentford who was to become an England international and stayed at Wolves for fourteen seasons.

Portsmouth goalkeeper Ted Butler

outjumps Wolves Roy Swinbourne.

(The programme notes which follow make interesting reading on several counts. The most notable item being the first one which mentions stretchers being used to deal with victims of a surging crowd in one of the closely packed corners of the ground at Hillsborough. Remember this was in 1951, many years before the dreadful disaster of 1989.)

(On a lighter note the final item which refers to the Wolves 'D' team of the time, reminds me that within a couple of years I was playing for another youth club team in the very same Walsall Minor League and on the receiving end of a real thrashing by a double figure margin from the Wolves juniors).

Black Country football 1950-51 (Part four)

Posted by Tony Hutton

SATURDAY 6TH JANUARY, 1951

F.A. CUP THIRD ROUND AT VILLA PARK, BIRMINGHAM

ASTON VILLA 2 (Dixon, Thompson) BURNLEY 0

Jones; Lynn, Parkes; Canning, Martin, Moss (F);
Goffin, Thompson, Dixon, Gibson, Smith (L);

Strong; Woodruffe, Mather; Attwell, Cummings, Bray (capt);
Chew, Morris, Spencer, McIlroy, Hays;

A large crowd saw Villa through to the next round in a rather dull affair which
provided little in the way of entertainment. Dixon, in the unfamiliar role of centre forward, scored the first goal and Tommy Thompson the second. These two were to become regular fixtures and goalscorers from the inside forward positions.

Burnley showed little in attack despite the presence of Irishman Jimmy McIlroy but their defence looked  solid for most of the game with seven players of the 1947 cup final team when they lost 1-0 to Charlton. One of the newcomers is centre half Tommy Cummings who looks a fine prospect having taken over the position from Alan Brown.

Villa will be hoping for an extended cup run to compensate for their rather disappointing league form this season.

SATURDAY 13TH JANUARY 1951

LEAGUE DIVISION ONE AT MOLINEUX, WOLVERHAMPTON

WOLVES 1 (Walker) BLACKPOOL 1 (Mortenson)

Williams; Short, Pritchard; Chatham, Shorthouse, Wright (capt);
Hancocks, Dunn, Swinbourne, Walker, Wilshaw;

Farm; Shimwell, Garrett; Johnston (capt), Ainscough, Kelly;
Matthews, Mudie, Mortenson, Brown, Perry;

Referee:- H.T. Wright, Macclesfield

A last minute choice at centre half for Blackpool was Jack Ainscough, playing his first league match. He played with the coolness of a veteran and completely subdued the dashing Swinbourne. Wolves has nearly all the play in the first half and Walker put them ahead after only eight minutes. This followed a period of hectic defence by Blackpool in which three shots were charged down on the line.

After this however, despite Hancocks' trickery on the right wing, Wolves could not penetrate the strong defence, in which every member, particularly Ainscough, played well. Goalkeeper George Farm did well also making several brilliant saves.

After twenty seven minutes Stan Mortenson equalised with a grand goal. Alan Brown pushed the ball down the centre for him to run onto and going at full speed he outpaced the entire defence before crashing the ball past Bert Williams. Stanley Matthews had a very quiet game on the wing for Blackpool.

SATURDAY 20TH JANUARY, 1951

LEAGUE DIVISION THREE SOUTH AT FELLOWS PARK, WALSALL

WALSALL 2 (Winter 2) GILLINGHAM 1 (Lewis)

Lewis; Jones, Skidmore; Walters, Russon, Devlin;
Bowen, Sutcliffe, Winter, O'Neill, Allison;

Gage; Marks, Lewin; Boswell, Kingnorth, Ayres;
Burtenshaw (C), Lewis, Thomas, McGuire, Veck;

Since the last home game with Exeter, Walsall had suffered two more away defeats at Ipswich and Bournemouth, which meant that they were now only above bottom club Crystal Palace on goal average. Efforts had been made to strengthen the side and to day saw the debut of William O'Neill an Irishman signed from Burnley. A native of Cork, he was previously with Chelmsford and Belfast Celtic.

Another newcomer was centre forward Jack Winter, a 22 year old from Sheffield United. Sutcliffe was given a rare opportunity and Allison, the former Reading winger, was also given an opportunity in a much changed side.

Gillingham, had been re-admitted to the Football League this season after going out in 1937-38. After struggling early on they appear to have turned the corner and last Wednesday broke their league scoring record by beating Exeter 9-4. Lewis who got three earlier in the season against Walsall got another hat-trick.

Apart from a short spell at the opening of the second half there was not a goal look about Gillingham today. It was their defenders who took most of the honours. They gave a gallant display against a lively Walsall attack, greatly improved by the inclusion of O'Neill and Winter. It took the newcomers some time to fit in with the rest of the forward line and before a working understanding had developed Gillingham went ahead with a snap goal by Lewis early in the second half.

The other Lewis, the Walsall goalkeeper, kept out terrific shots by Burtenshaw and Thomas. Then the Walsall forward settled down. In the 68th minute Bowen swung over a high centre which Gage failed to gather and Winter whipped the ball into the net. Six minutes later O'Neill sent Allison away on the left and his accurate centre was headed in by Winter to give Walsall two very valuable points.

SATURDAY 27TH JANUARY, 1951

F.A. CUP FOURTH ROUND AT MOLINEUX, WOLVERHAMPTON

WOLVES 3 (Walker, Mullen, Swinbourne) ASTON VILLA 1 (Dixon)

Williams; Short, Pritchard; Crook, Shorthouse, Wright (capt);
Hancocks, Walker, Swinbourne, Dunn, Mullen;

Jones; Parkes, Dorsett; Cannng, Martin (capt), Moss (A);
Dixon, Gibson, Walsh, Thompson, Smith (L);

The turning point of this game, or perhaps the end of the game as far as Aston Villa were concerned, came after thirty four minutes play. Wolves were then leading 2-0 and Villa were awarded a penalty for an alleged foul by Crook. Skipper Con Martin, instead of entrusting his penalty expert Dick Dorsett with such an important kick, decided to take it himself. He shot hard and low for the corner of the net to Williams' right, but with a fantastic leap Williams threw himself across goal to save.

Wolves had taken the lead in twenty eight minutes through Johnny Walker, after a powerful drive from Hancocks had rebounded from the crossbar, and add it to it three minutes later. Swinbourne beat Martin and although the linesman raised his flag, the referee waved play on and the centre forward put the ball in the net despite Villa's protests. Half time Wolves 2 Villa 0.

Dixon scored for Villa two minutes after the interval, but despite good play by Thompson and Smith, Villa could not score another. Mullen sealed Wolves victory with a powerful first time shot following a Hancocks free kick seven minutes from time.

SATURDAY 3RD FEBRUARY 1951

LEAGUE DIVISION ONE AT MOLINEUX, WOLVERHAMPTON

WOLVES 2 (Walker, Mullen) CHARLTON ATHLETIC 3 (Hurst, Jeppson 2)

Parsons; Short, Pritchard; Crook, Shorthouse, Wright (capt);
Hancocks, Walker, Swinbourne, Dunn, Mullen;

Bartram; Croker (P), Lock; Fenton, Phipps, Johnson;
Hurst, Evans, Jeppson, Vaughan, Kiernan;

Referee:- W. Ling, Stapleford

Parsons deputised for Williams in goal for Wolves and although he cannot wholly be blamed for this surprise defeat he was obviously nervous and this seemed to be communicated to the rest of the defence.

Wolves, fifth from the top, had a score to settle with Charlton, fifth from the bottom, as the Londoners had beaten them earlier in the season. However, Wolves were denied their revenge and Charlton became the first side to take four points from Wolves this season.

For the first ten minutes of the game Wolves attacked strongly and with the Charlton defence looking anything but confident it seemed as though Wolves would win easily.
However, Gordon Hurst, the balding outside right, suddenly emerged from his own half with the ball, swept past a couple of defenders in midfield and was away on his own with only Parsons to beat. The deputy goalkeeper seemed undecided on what course to take and stood rooted to his goal line when he should have advanced and Hurst placed the ball past him easily for a grand goal.

That was the only score up to half time, but after the interval Charlton confirmed their superiority with two more goals in the 49th and 73rd minutes. Both of them scored by their new Swedish international centre forward Hans Jeppson. Wolves finally got going after the third goal and hit back strongly with goals by Walker and Mullen, but by then it was too late and Charlton had brought off a famous victory.

Black Country football 1950-51 (Part three)

Posted by Tony Hutton

SATURDAY 2ND DECEMBER 1950                                  Attendance 45,087

LEAGUE DIVISION ONE AT MOLINEUX, WOLVERHAMPTON

WOLVES 3 (Hancocks 3) WEST BROMWICH ALBION 1 (Ryan)

Williams; Short, Pritchard; Crook, Shorthouse, Wright (capt);
Hancocks, Dunn, Swinbourne, Smyth, Mullen;

Heath; Rickaby, Millard; Dudley, Vernon (capt), Barlow;
Allen, Ryan, Richardson, Wilcox, Lee;

My first two visits to Molineux had ended in surprise home defeats for the Wolves, but today things got back to normal with an emphatic win in the Black Country derby game. Johnny Hancocks, the tiny winger, with the terrific shot in both feet, won this match almost on his own. He bewildered Len Millard with his clever body swerves and Norman Heath in the Albion goal was equally all at sea with the winger's powerful shooting.

Albion had most of the early play, but Hancocks got the first goal after nineteen minutes with a powerful drive following a pass from Mullen. Fourteen minutes later he hit across a strong high centre and as Swinbourne jumped for it, without making contact, Heath tried to punch it over the bar but only succeeded in helping it into the net.
Half-time Wolves 2 Albion 0.

The second half was played in difficult conditions with snow falling for most of the time. Ryan put Albion back in the game when he scored with a hard drive after sixty four minutes. This was the Irishman's first goal of the season. However, Hancocks was not finished yet, and twelve minutes later made certain of a Wolves victory when, receiving the ball from Dunn, he drove the ball past the well beaten Heath to complete his hat trick and to make his season's total thirteen goals in fifteen matches.

SATURDAY 9TH DECEMBER, 1950

FRIENDLY MATCH AT FELLOWS PARK, WALSALL

WALSALL 3 (Bridgett, Bowen, Millard) SHREWSBURY TOWN 3 (Hope, Brown, Griffin)

Lewis; Jones, Walters; Dean, Russon, Green;
Bowen, Millard, Bridgett, Corbett, Morris (F);

Egglestone; Potter, Lewis; Bullions, Ashworth, Crutchley;
Griffin, Jackson, Hope, Brown, Butler;

Referee:- J. Harper, Walsall

Shrewsbury, in their first season of league football, have recently got into their stride in the Northern section of the Third Division. After rather a bad start they have now got fifteen points from nineteen matches against Walsall's thirteen points from a similar number of matches in the Southern section.

Including in the visiting side were Jim Bullions, the former Derby County player and Ron Crutchley formerly with Walsall. The home side continued the experiment of playing centre half Jack Bridgett at centre forward. Bridgett it was who gave Walsall an early lead, but within a minute Jackson had equalised.

Bowen and Millard added further goals to give the home side a 3-1 lead after only twenty minutes play. Walsall then seemed to remember it was only a friendly and eased off considerably. The result of this was that midway through the second half goals from Brown and Griffin gave Shrewsbury a draw.

SATURDAY 18TH DECEMBER, 1950

LEAGUE DIVISION ONE AT THE HAWTHORNS, WEST BROMWICH

WEST BROMWICH ALBION 2 (Wilcox, Richardson) ASTON VILLA 0

Heath; Rickaby, Millard; Kennedy, Vernon (capt), Barlow;
Allen, Wilcox, Richardson, Ryan, Lee;

Hindle; Parkes, Dorsett; Canning, Martin, Moss (A);
Sellars, Thompson, Craddock, Dixon, Smith (L);

Having won their first home game since September last week against Sunderland, Albion were all out to improve their lowly league position against somewhat under strength local rivals Aston Villa, who are two points below them. The introduction of a young red haired inside foward, Eddie Wilcox, helped Albion last week as he scored one of their goals.

Albion took the leaad after only five minutes play and it was young Wilcox who scored again with a fine header from a Barlow centre. Villa had slightly more of the play for the remainder of the first half but could make little headway against a strong Albion defence in which Kennedy and Barlow were outstanding at wing half.
Half time Albion 1 Villa 0.

Albion went further ahead after fifty five minutes. A free kick from Allen was brought down well by Wilcox who gave Richardson an easy goal from close range. The home side continued to dominate the game and both Barlow and Richardson were unlucky not to score. The only occasion on which Villa looked like scoring was when Barlow kicked a shot from Sellars off the line.

TUESDAY 26TH DECEMBER, 1950

LEAGUE DIVISION ONE AT MOLINEUX, WOLVERHAMPTON

WOLVES 3 (Swinbourne, Hancocks, Dunn) HUDDERSFIELD TOWN 1 (Hassall)

Williams; Short, Pritchard; Chatham, Shorthouse, Crook;
Hancocks, Dunn, Swinbourne, Wright (capt), Wilshaw;

Wheeler; Gallogly, Kelly; Hunter, McEvoy, Boot (capt);
McKenna, Nightingale, Taylor (J), Hassall, Metcalfe;

Referee:- J.W. Topliss, Grimsby

Molineux has been the scene of some of Huddersfield's heaviest defeats in the past and having at one point this season conceded twenty goals in three successive matches (including an 8-0 defeat at Middlesborough) they must have been rather apprehensive about today's Boxing Day visit. The reason that they kept the score down to reasonable proportions was the fine display of goalkeeper Wheeler who made many fine saves, His two best efforts were from full-blooded shots by Wright, back in his old inside forward position, and Hancocks.

All the goals came in the first half, the first one from a a hotly disputed penalty. It was apparently awarded for a handling offence. Hancocks powerful shot hit the base of the post before entering the net. Swinbourne, who worried McEvoy throughout, scored the second after twenty seven minutes from close range and Dunn headed the third ten minutes later. Hassall headed a neat goal for the visitors five minutes from the interval, following a corner taken by Metcalfe. Half time Wolves 3 Town 1.

Wolves could not get into their stride in the second half, mainly because of the grip, Kelly, a former Wolves player, kept on Hancocks. Wright and Wilshaw were Wolves most dangerous forwards, but they could not get past Wheeler in the Town goal.

If Huddersfield's finishing could have matched their approach play they might easily have won this game as the Wolves defence often panicked under pressure without the steadying influence of Wright at the back. Shorthouse, however, was an exception and was outstanding throughout the game.


WEDNESDAY 27TH DECEMBER, 1950

CENTRAL LEAGUE AT VILLA PARK, BIRMINGHAM

ASTON VILLA RESERVES 1 (Smith H) MANCHESTER UTD RESERVES 1 (Riches)

Jones (K); Ashton, Vinall; Lamb, Aldis, Daly;
Sellars, Higgins, Pace, Bullock, Smith (H);

Crompton; McNulty, Byrne; Lowrie, Jones (M), Blanchflower (J);
Violett, Clempson, Riches, Lynn (capt), Bond;

Referee:-  J. Sedgely, Stoke

With the young Wolves side having slipped badly by twice losing to Sheffield United, Villa reserves lying second in the Central League had a chance to narrow the gap at the top. They were the better side during the first half and took the lead after fifteen minutes play when Smith tapped home a centre from Pace, who had moved out onto the right wing. Previously Smith had shot against the post from a free kick and Pace had hit the other post with a header.

United, with a very young side, apart from veteran goalkeeper Jack Crompton, were looking threatening on several occasions particularly down the left where one of the youngsters, Bond, was the pick of the forwards. After one of his corners, Jack Blanchflower shot just over the bar. Half time Villa 1 United 0.

Manchester, with four players who were to become members of the famous Busby Babes side in Roger Byrne, Mark Jones, Jack Blanchflower (brother of Danny) and Denis Violett, came more into the game in the second half. Keith Jones, in the Villa goal, brought off a magnificent one handed save from a close range shot from Clempson. Then Bond had a good chance to score also from close range, but he shot over the bar. Finally after eighty three minutes centre forward Riches ran through the centre on his own to score a well deserved equaliser.


SATURDAY 30TH DECEMBER, 1950

LEAGUE DIVISION THREE SOUTH AT FELLOWS PARK, WALSALL

WALSALL 0 EXETER CITY 2 (McKay, Smith)

Lewis; Jones, Walters; Dean, Russon, Dearson (capt);
Morris (F), Bowen, Bridgett, Devlin, Hughes;

Lear; Warren, Clark; Fallon, Doyle, Davey;
McClelland, Lynn, Smith, McKay, Regan;

Walsall had played three games in four days already over the Christmas period and clocked up a substantial mileage in the process. They got their first away win of the season 1-0 at Southend last Saturday, thanks to a second half Devlin goal, then held Newport County to a goal less draw on Christmas Day morning. The following morning, Boxing Day, they were away against Newport again and this time lost 3-0.

They had played at Newport without the injured Billy Green and local boy Dean made his first appearance as deputy. They were further in touble when Jack Bridgett was injured during the first half which caused a wholesale reshuffle

The visitors today, Exeter City, had only ever won twice on this ground in twelve visits, but are having a good season, lying in tenth place although six sides are level on twenty six points. Walsall are now struggling four places from the bottom, so it came as no surprise that Exeter gained their seventh away win of the season. Exeter snapped up two chances whereas Walsall lacked an opportunist capable of taking advantage of many openings which their forceful attack provided.

Both teams played good football in the snow at times, but the City had the smarter forward line in which the two wingers were outstanding together with this season's signing from Huddersfield Town, Lynn, who was a clever schemer at inside right.
Walsall's defence in which Ron Russon was a sound centre half and newcomer Dean showed considerable skill at right half, did well to keep the scoring down to one goal, scored by McKay in the nineteenth minute.

An unlucky slip by Henry Walters enabled Smith to increase the lead half-way through the second half. After that Walsall faded and escaped a heavier defeat only because shots by McClelland and McKay rebounded off the post and the crossbar after passing out of reach of the diminutive Lewis in goal.

Black Country football 1950-51 (Part two)

Posted by Tony Hutton

SATURDAY 23RD SEPTEMBER 1950

LEAGUE DIVISION ONE AT THE HAWTHORNS, WEST BROMWICH

WEST BROMWICH ALBION 2 (Walsh, Lee) BURNLEY 1 (Spencer)

Referee:- H.T. Wright, Macclesfield

Sanders; Rickaby, Millard; Kennedy, Vernon (capt), Ryan;
Allen, Williams, Walsh, Barlow, Lee;

Strong, Woodruffe, Hayes; Kirkham, Cummings, Bray (capt);
Stephenson, Morris, Holden, Spencer, Hays;

George Lee, Albion's most dangerous forward, put them ahead three minutes before half time. The first half had been very even up to this point with Burnley's forward line, particularly Welsh international Billy Morris, always looking dangerous. The Albion defence, with Joe Kennedy outstanding, was also in fine form.

Ten minutes after the interval, Spencer equalised for Burnley following an overhead kick by Morris. Albion's wining goal did not come until three minutes before the end of the game when Walsh beat Cummings for about the only time. His shot passed just under the crossbar to win the points.

Match report from the Birmingham Gazette by Peter Morris.

It was only in the last couple of minutes that Albion secured victory and then it was scarcely a 'missable' opportunity for Walsh. It was a goal which secured two points for Albion after a drab match in which good football was at a premium and the thrills rationed to the last ten minutes. In that final phase Albion attached constantly and missed so many chances that the crowd must have left behind a trail of bitten finger nails and chewed up handkerchiefs.

It was Williams' long looping pass that gave Walsh his chance and fortunately it was almost just below the bar. Fortunately as, if I am any judge of angles, the shot would have finished up over the stand from another yard out. That was the fault with much of Albion's shooting throughout the match - too much elevation and not enough steadiness. The indefatigable Barlow was the only Albion forward with the right idea in this department and Strong must have been thankful to see a couple of sizzling drives go the wrong side and one glorious 30 yarder which boomeranged off the far upright.

Barlow, together with George Lee who came back into the side at outside left, had a good match on the whole and it was Barlow's tenacity which enabled Albion taking a rather undeserved lead just before the interval. The inside man who was giving the unusually shaky defence a lot of trouble, twice had shots charged down within the Burnley penalty area and it was while the crowd were clamouring for a handling penalty after the second of these efforts that the ball ran loose for Lee who crashed it in off the foot of the post.

Burnley are still an uninspiring team from an attacking point of view. They had little method and less sting although in Holden and Stephenson they have two youngsters with definite possibilities. Holden a strong and tenacious centre forward, with a hard shot, gave Vernon some trouble at times and his good work led to Spencer's equaliser in 55 minutes. Stephenson frequently sparkled on the right wing, especially in the second half, but he missed the chance of the match almost on time when he shot straight at Sanders having taken the ball right in. Sanders, as usual, performed efficiently in goal and Rickaby gave a classic exhibition at right back. 

SATURDAY 7TH OCTOBER, 1950

LEAGUE DIVISION ONE AT MOLINEUX, WOLVERHAMPTON

WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS 3 (Hancocks, Dunn, Swinbourne)
MIDDLESBOROUGH 4 (McCrea 2, Spuhler, Walker pen)

Parsons; McLean, Shorthouse; Croook, Chatham, Russell;
Hancocks, Dunn, Swinbourne, Mullen;

Ugolini; Robinson, Hardwick (capt); Bell, Whittaker, Gordon;
Reagan, Delephena, Spuhler, McCrea, Walker;

Referee:- J.H. Clough, Bolton

My first ever visit to Molineux proved to be quite an occasion. Wolves who had won the cup in 1949 and finished second in the league (on goal average) in 1950 were just starting one of the most eventful periods in their history. However, today they were missing goalkeeper Bert Williams and captain Billy Wright both playing for England against Northern Ireland in Belfast. Wilf Mannion was also missing for Middlesborough because of the international.

There was no absence of incident and excitement which proved that Middlesborough's current position of second in the league table is a true one. Wolves took the lead after only five minutes play when Dunn headed a Mullen centre down to Swinbourne who scored his ninth goal in eleven games. The centre forward nearly scored again when he deflected a shot from Dunn, but Ugolini threw himself across goal to save.

Middlesborough did not seem upset by this early Wolves pressure and settled down to play some good constructive football. After 25 minutes Spuhler found himself in an unmarked position and McCrea, the former Charlton man, headed in his centre. The inside left put the visitors ahead ten minutes later when he drove Reagan's cross past reserve goalkeeper Parsons. Half-time 1-2.

Four minutes after the interval Crook fisted out a header from Walker and the outside left took the penalty himself and made no mistake. Wolves fought back to level terms with two goals in two minutes through Hancocks and Dunn and looked as though they might win with Hancocks giving George Hardwick, the former England captain, plenty of trouble.

Middlesborough came back again with the decisive goal after Walker had beaten Chatham and laid on the perfect pass for Spuhler to score easily. Hard to say what would have happened if the three England men had taken part, but they too would be happy with a 4-1 win in Belfast with Billy Wright among the scorers.

Middlesborough 1950-51

SATURDAY 14TH OCTOBER, 1950

LEAGUE DIVISION ONE AT THE HAWTHORNS, WEST BROMWICH

WEST BROMWICH ALBION 1 (Walsh) LIVERPOOL 1  (Taylor)

Sanders; Rickaby, Millard, Kennedy, Vernon (capt), Barlow;
Allen, Williams, Walsh, Betteridge, Lee;

Referee:- R.A. Mortimore, Huddersfield

Albion, with Betteridge playing his first game of the season at inside left, dominated the play for most of the game, and but for poor finishing would undoubtedly have won by a considerable margin. The home side hit the post on two occasions, had innumerable shots charged down and perhaps most unlucky of all Betteridge sent in a shot which Ashcroft knew little about, but the ball hit the goalkeeper's body and was deflected out of danger.

It was not until seventy minutes had elapsed before Albion eventually took the lead through Dave Walsh. This was the Irishman's 100th goal for the club. With little being seen of the Liverpool attack and danger man Billy Liddell being blotted out by Stan Rickably there seemed little danger of Albion loosing their lead.

However, in a breakaway three minutes from time Sanders just failed to get to a Liddell centre and Phil Taylor scored from close range to give Liverpool a point they scarcely deserved.

SATURDAY 21ST OCTOBER, 1950

LEAGUE DIVISION ONE AT VILLA PARK, BIRMINGHAM

ASTON VILLA 1 (Canning) ARSENAL 1 (Logie)

Hindle; Parkes, Dorsett; Canning, Martin, Moss (F);
Sellars, Gibson, Edwards, Dixon, Smith (L);

Swindin; Scott, Smith (L); Shaw, Compton (L), Mercer (capt);
McPherson, Logie, Goring, Lishman, Roper;

Last season's cup winners Arsenal were without Wally Barnes and Alex Forbes, playing for Wales and Scotland respectively at Cardiff and Villa were also without two Welshmen, Ivor Powell and Trevor Ford.

This game was ruined as a spectacle when Arsenal full back Lionel Smith had to leave the field due to injury. Don Roper moved from the left wing to left back and put up a splendid performance to completely subdue Villa's new outside right Sellars.

This seems to be Villa's problem position and Sellars does not look likely to solve it.
After Jimmy Logie put ten man Arsenal ahead, it was nearly all one way traffic but Villa could only manage one goal through reserve wing half Larry Canning, who scored with a fierce shot from the edge of the penalty area.

             Don Roper doing a good job as emergency full back for Arsenal.

SATURDAY 28TH OCTOBER, 1950

LEAGUE DIVISION ONE AT THE HAWTHORNS, WEST BROMWICH

WEST BROMWICH ALBION 1 (Barlow) TOTTENHAM HOTSPURS 2 (Medley, Walters)

Sanders; Rickaby, Millard; Kennedy, Vernon (capt), Barlow;
Elliott, Williams, Richardson, Smith, Allen;

Ditchburn; Ramsey, Willis; Nicholson, Clarke, Burgess (capt);
Walters, Bennett, Duquemin, Bailey, Medley;

Referee:-R.J. Burgess, Reading

The Spurs, newly promoted from the Second Division, have already set the First Division alight with their brilliant push and run football and their star studded line up was obviously a severe test for the home side.

The visitors playing calm, and often brilliant, man to man football took a comfortable two goal lead by half time. Both goals were scored by their wingers. The first by Medley and the second headed in by Walters, who ran on to a precision free kick from Ramsey at just the right moment. Stan Rickaby managed to keep danger man Les Medley in check but centre forward Len Duquemin perhaps the least publicised of the Spurs forward line, often had Jack Vernon in trouble.

Ditchburn was rarely troubled but made two brilliant saves in the early stages and dealt with everything thereafter in the most confident of manners. Ramsey was immaculate at right back and Burgess, a most inspiring captain, was a force in both attack and defence.

Albion finally scored their consolation goal with only two minutes remaining, Barlow brushing past three opponents before cracking a great thirty yard shot in off a post.

SATURDAY 4TH NOVEMBER 1950

LEAGUE DIVISION ONE AT MOLINEUX, WOLVERHAMPTON

WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS 0 ARSENAL 1 (Lishman)

Williams; McLean, Pritchard; Chatham, Shorthouse, Wright (capt);
Hancocks, Walker, Swinbourne, Pye, Mullen;

Platt; Barnes, Smith (L); Forbes, Compton (L), Mercer (capt);
McPherson, Logie, Goring, Lishman, Roper;

Referee:- W.H.E. Evans, Liverpool

Arsenal, the league leaders, were fortunate to encounter Wolves on a day when their forwards could not find the target. For most of the game play was fairly even with Arsenal seeming the more methodical whereas Wolves violent attacks usually finished in wild shooting. Swinbourne in particular missed two good opportunities in the first half by shooting over the bar.

Platt, an extremely efficient deputy for George Swindin, did very well to save a fierce shot from Mullen, and later a similar effort from Hancocks which came when he was partially unsighted. Hancocks, so often Wolves match winner, was effectively bottled up by Lionel Smith, recovered from his recent injury at Villa. Arsenal's outside right McPherson was able to do more or less as he liked against the indecisive Pritchard.

It was from one of the Arsenal winger's centres that the only goal came. Chatham half stopped, the ball, confusing Williams in goal, and Lishman, the former Walsall player, was able to scramble the ball home from close range.

The England selectors watching this game cannot have been impressed with either of the centre forwards as international candidates, but both Lionel Smith and Leslie Compton, dominant throughout, may well have caught their eyes.

SATURDAY 25TH NOVEMBER 1950

LEAGUE DIVISION ONE AT THE HAWTHORNS, WEST BROMWICH

WEST BROMWICH ALBION 0 MANCHESTER UNITED 1 (Birch)

Heath; Rickaby, Millard; Dudley, Vernon (capt), Barlow;
Allen, Gordon, Richardson, Ryan, Lee;

Allen; McNulty, Aston; Gibson, Chilton, Cockburn;
Bogan, Pearson, Rowley, Birch, Mitten;

United were without their captain Johnny Carey for whom McNulty deputised at right back. They also included an 18 year old inside forward Brian Birch and it was he who scored the only goal of the game. It was his first league goal and came after an hour's play when he headed into the net during a goalmouth scramble.

Albion's defence played well throughout, with Vernon blotting out Jack Rowley, and Rickaby and Barlow also outstanding. The forwards however rarely got going and the nearest they came to scoring was when Ronnie Allen hit the bar. Lee was racing in for the rebound but Reg Allen, Britain's most expensive goalkeeper, recovered to clear.
Bogan and young Birch, their least experienced players, were Manchester's best forwards with Allenby Chilton the pick of the defence.

Black Country football 1950-51 (Part one)

Posted by Tony Hutton

Although still a schoolboy, I travelled a bit further afield this season to take in games at West Bromwich and Wolverhampton. I also began to write detailed reports of most of the games I saw purely for my own amusement, but possibly with the vague thought that I might one day write a book of football memories. This never happened so some sixty five years later they now see the light of day for the first time!

SATURDAY 26TH AUGUST, 1950 AT FELLOWS PARK, WALSALL

LEAGUE DIVISION THREE SOUTH                     Attendance 11,178

WALSALL 1 (Chapman) SOUTHEND UNITED 2 (Wakefield, French)

Lewis; Jones, Skidmore; Walters, Russon, Dearson;
Bowen, Sutcliffe, Chapman, Millard, Allinson;

Coombs; Loughran, Walton; Wallbanks, Sheard, French;
Sibley, Davies, Wakefield, Lawlor, Harper;

Referee: Mr A. Bond, Fulham 

Southend, who finished third in the league last season, started well with a goal from centre forward Albert Wakefield, who came from Leeds United last season. Walsall with something of a new look forward line and without centre half Reg Foulkes who has moved to Norwich, looked as if they might struggle this season.

Match report from Sports Argus.

The visitors were showing more craft in their approach work early on and the Walsall goal had several near escapes. On one occasion Lewis was only just in time to punch a header from Harper over the bar.

The Walsall defence was bewildered in the sixteenth minute when Wakefield opened the scoring.

Wallbanks, who had moved over to the left, swung the ball over to Davies who eluded a defender and placed it nicely for the centre forward. Sensing the danger Jones had moved back but Wakefield drove the ball between the defender and goalkeeper Lewis.

Southend continued in the ascendency with deft forward passing movements creating anxiety for the hard working Walsall defence. In the 39th minute Southend went further ahead when Lawler beat Lewis with a high cross shot from twenty five yards out. From the re-start Allison dashed away and skimmed the bar with the home side's best effort so far. Walsall started the second half at a brisk pace and Sutcliffe missed a good chance created by Dearson. The home side kept going and Chapman was unlucky after beating Sheard when his shot hit a post.

After 59 minutes Walsall did pull a goal back when Chapman scored when Millard lifted the ball over to him and he pushed it home as Coombs advanced. It was all Walsall now as they pressed hard for an equaliser. Allison and Chapman both went close as Walsall made an all out effort to salvage a point in the last few minutes. They were unlucky when Coombs saved but failed to hold a low shot from Chapman and the ball trickled just the wrong side of the post.

WEDNESDAY 30TH AUGUST 1950 AT THE HAWTHORNS, WEST BROMWICH

LEAGUE DIVISION ONE

WEST BROMWICH ALBION 1 (Walsh) NEWCASTLE UTD 2 (Milburn, Mitchell)

Sanders; Rickaby, Millard; Kennedy, Vernon (capt), Barlow;
Elliott, Williams, Walsh, Richardson, Allen;

Fairbrother; Cowell, McMichael; Harvery (capt), Brennan, Crowe;
Walker, Taylor, Milburn, Robledo (G), Mitchell;

With Ray Barlow in splendid form at left half, Albion were on the attack for long periods of the game, but their finishing was poor, mainly because big Frank Brennan kept Irish international Dave Walsh under constant watch.
The first goal, to Newcastle, came after 37 minutes, when Milburn robbed Vernon on the half way line, passed out to Walker on the right and in no time took the return pass in his stride and hit it home from twenty yards.
Albion equalised just on half time following a mistake by Irish international Alf McMichael who headed a long ball from Kennedy straight to Walsh , thus playing him onside, and with only the goalkeeper to beat the centre forward made no mistake.
After 58 minutes Milburn beat Vernon for the second time and again pushed the ball out to the long striding Walker, whose centre was pushed into the net by Bobby Mitchell standing almost on the goal line. So although Milburn could only get past Vernon twice in this game it was enough to give his side both points.

Newcastle United

SATURDAY 2ND SEPTEMBER 1950 AT VILLA PARK, BIRMINGHAM

LEAGUE DIVISION ONE                             Attendance 45,127

ASTON VILLA 1 (Moss F.) LIVERPOOL 1 (Balmer)

Jones; Parkes, Dorsett; Powell, Martin, Moss F.;
Edwards, Gibson, Ford, Craddock, Goffin;

Sidlow; Lambert, Spicer; Jones, Hughes, Paisley;
Payne, Taylor, Stubbins, Balmer (capt), Liddell;

Referee;- G.L. Iliffe, Leicester

Veteran Jack Balmer's goal was the outstanding feature of this game. He had the ball in the centre of the field, on the edge of the penalty area, and waited for a split second for the goalkeeper Keith Jones to become unsighted by a defender and carefully shot the ball slowly into the corner of the net. It was not a fierce shot but just perfectly placed and admirably timed.

Match report from Sports Argus.  

Within the first three minutes Villa forced three corners but goalkeeper Sidlow remained untroubled.

Villa continued to press but Sidlow only had only shot cum pass from Ford to retrieve. Gradually Liverpool came more into the game and Balmer gave them the lead after 26 minutes after being put through by Liddell. The veteran inside forward took advantage of a wide open Villa defence and beat Jones from the edge of the penalty area. Liverpool's danger man, Billy Liddell developed a limp which slowed him down considerably. Apparently he had strained a right thigh muscle.

Goffin shot just wide after being put through by Ford following a movement started by Moss and then at the other end Keith Jones, on his knees, made a fine save from Taylor and then Stubbins having dispossessed Con Martin shot just wide. Villa should never have been behind at the interval and started the second half with a bit more directness. With Liddell still unable to raise a gallop most Liverpool attacks were directed down the right but Dorsett did an excellent job in defence.

Hughes was keeping a close watch on the dangerous Ford and when he eventually did get an opening after a mis-header by Spicer, he got in a hard ground shot which Sidlow turned round the post for Villa's 13th corner. Despite all this pressure the Villa just could not finish things off. Keith Jones made a spectacular save at the other end from a 30 yard drive by Stubbins. Villa continued to have endless chances and Dorsett went closest with a whizzbang drive just over the bar.

Frank Moss joined the Villa attack and his shot forced a corner, by then Villa's 15th of the match, when Sidlow again pushed it round the post. However after 80 minutes, following the corner kick, Moss rushed into the crowded penalty area to force the ball home and Villa were level. Liverpool did hit back during the last ten minutes but neither side were able to force a win.

MONDAY 4TH SEPTEMBER, 1950 AT VILLA PARK, BIRMINGHAM

LEAGUE DIVISION ONE

ASTON VILLA 1 (Ford) MANCHESTER UNITED 3 (Rowley 2, Pearson)

Jones; Parkes, Dorsett; Powell, Martin, Moss (F);
Edwards, Gibson, Ford, Craddock, Goffin;

Allen; Carey (capt), Aston; Gibson, Chilton, Cockburn;
Bogan, Pearson, Rowley, Downie, Mitten;

The very strong United side ran out easy winners in a rather one sided contest. Reg Allen who is the most expensive goalkeeper ever, following his signing from QPR, was rarely troubled and the forward line looks as dangerous as ever.

Manchester United 1950-51

Match report from Birmingham Gazette.

Manchester got their first away points of the season thanks to the quick thinking Pearson and Rowley in attack, because they moved faster, and with a directness that Villa lacked, and because they took their shooting chances accurately and without wasting time. They also had more system in defence as well as goalkeeper Allen, who apart from keeping out Villa's three best shots, from Edwards, Goffin and Ford,

fisted out a Dorsett penalty towards the end of the second half.

Villa were 3-0 down when Chilton apparently handled in the area. The majority of players moved back upfield thinking the referee had awarded United a free kick. However he then placed the ball on the penalty spot to most people's surprise. Dorsett drove the ball with all of his tremendous power to Allen's right and the goalkeeper, who must have the eyes of a lynx to have even seen the ball, fisted it away to the touchline.

The Villa attack never settled down to combined football, it all added up to a scrambling, scrappy sort of show. Craddock and Goffin both worked hard but that was about all you could say. Parkes was the outstanding Villa player although given little support by Powell. United took the lead in the 16th minute when Pearson split the square Villa defence with a beautiful ball which put Rowley in to score.

The second goal came 16 minutes after the interval when a Rowley cross from the left found Parkes trying to mark two men and Pearson scored with a fine shot into the corner of the net from the edge of the area. Four minutes later a Pearson shot following a Bogan header was brilliantly pushed out by Jones but Rowley, running in at the far post, shot over Jones' body. Eleven minutes from the end Ford scored Villa's consolation goal with a quick dribble across the penalty area to beat Allen with a left foot shot.

SATURDAY 9TH SEPTEMBER, 1950 AT FELLOWS PARK, WALSALL

LEAGUE DIVISION THREE SOUTH

WALSALL 0 BOURNEMOUTH 1 (Evans)

Lewis; Jones, Walters; Corbett, Russon, Greeen;
Morris (F), Millard, Chapman, Dearson, Knowles;

Bird; Cunningham, Drummond; Woodward, Gripton, Casey;
Boxshall, Haigh, McGibbon, Evans, Weigh;

Referee:- G. Clark, London.

Bournemouth players

Walsall lost their second home game in three days by the single goal and after seven games this season still do not boast a victory. There seems little wrong with the defence, Lewis in particular being in brilliant form in goal, but the forward line is far from effective. Corbett, a red haired local boy and Knowles another youngster, playing only his second league game, are both far too inexperienced at the present time. Fred Morris, former Oswestry winger, came in on the right wing. 

The remaining forwards both suffer from excessive weight, Chapman, the fair haired centre forward has lost his speed and Dearson, the former Welsh international, while still capable of showing his obvious ability, sweats profusely with his efforts.

Match report from Sports Argus.

Walsall raised hopes of an early goal when Millard slipped the ball through to Dearson, who beat a defender, and swung the ball out to Knowles. He lobbed the ball into the middle and Bird punched it over the bar as Chapman tried to get his head to it. Bournemouth had a lively set of forwards and the Walsall defence had to be on the alert particularly against the dangerous McGibbon. Walsall had several good chances to go ahead but Bird saved brilliantly from Chapman and a couple of efforts were kicked off the line. Dearson put in another grand drive from 20 yards which again Bird saved and Walsall deserved to be ahead at the interval.

Walsall again dominated the play during the second half and goalkeeper Bird was called upon to save time after time. The Bournemouth defenders were kicking the ball anywhere to get it clear. However later in the half the visitors began to pile on the pressure and made an all out effort to take the lead.

Finally after 76 minutes their efforts were rewarded. Boxshall cut in and slipped the ball back to Evans who drove it home. A minute later Walsall could well have equalised when Knowles brought Bird to his knees to save. The Saddlers fought hard to salvage a point but Bournemouth held out.

SATURDAY 16TH SEPTEMBER, 1950 AT VILLA PARK, BIRMINGHAM

LEAGUE DIVISION ONE                        Attendance 30,000

ASTON VILLA 0 BOLTON WANDERERS 1 (Moir)

Hindle; Parkes, Dorsett; Canning, Martin, Moss (F);
Gibson, Powell, Ford, Dixon, Goffin;

Hanson; Ball, Banks (R); Howe, Gillies, Murphy;
Hughes, Moir, Lofthouse, Webster, Langton;

Referee;- R. Wood, Sunderland

Moir scored the only goal of a scrappy match in which Villa never got going. The move of wing half Ivor Powell to inside forward was not a success and Villa also fielded two reserves in goalkeeper Hindle and wing half Larry Canning.

Match report from Sports Argus.

Reduced to ten effective men after only ten minutes play Bolton Wanderers recorded their first away win since November 13th 1948. Billy Moir headed the only goal of the game in which Villa were so poor in attack that the crowd several times resorted to the slow handclap. Jack Hindle, the close season signing from Barrow, was making his first home appearance in the Villa goal.

Bolton were soon handicapped by an injury to Murphy who had to go limping on the left wing. All that Hindle had to do during the first quarter of an hour was to demonstrate his long kicking powers following Villa back passes. First real effort from Villa followed a long throw by Powell when Goffin's header skimmed the crossbar. Lofthouse looked dangerous in a rare Bolton attack but Langton was struggling in his move back to left half and Bolton's defenders were generally at sixes and sevens in fact of Villa's continuing attacks.

In quick succession, just before half time, Hanson made two fine saves, fisting out drives by Canning and Ford. The save against Ford was an especially fine effort, the goalkeeper punching away for a corner as Dixon collided with the post and injured himself in the process. Murphy was limping so badly early in the second half that he had to retire completely from the action after only seven minutes. So ten men of Bolton were really up against it. Some of Villa's poor passing was greeted by an outbreak of the slow handclap. A pity, maybe, but this was poor football.

Goffin did get the ball into the net after another outbreak of the slow handclap but the referee had blown for offside. Hindle, in the Villa goal, was a mere spectator and Hanson at the other end did have much work to do either. After a big cheer for full back Harry Parkes, when he went off on a run upfield, Bolton's ten men did manage to break out at intervals. A dash on the right brought them a free kick and Moir was able to head it into the net with Hindle having no chance in the 83rd minute. Villa made a late rally in which they forced two corners but Bolton somehow managed to hold on to their lead.