1066 Football
FA Cup, THIRD round, JANUARY 8, 1955
SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY 2 HASTINGS UNITED 1
HASTINGS United's visit to the Hillsborough ground in the 3rd round FA Cup-tie on Saturday will not be forgotten by the Sheffield crowd - and what a sporting crowd they were, too - for many a long day (writes "Observer" Association Football reporter).
Leading 1-0 at the interval, and deservedly so, the United kept their First Division opponents at bay for an hour, when the Wednesday equalised. Then it was not until about three minutes from the end that they could snatch the goal which put a gallant team out of the Cup.
If those of you who were unable to make the journey - several hundred were there to cheer the United on could only have heard the comments of the Wednesday supporters it would have warmed your hearts. Phrases such as, "the better team lost", "Hastings earned a replay at the very least" were streaming from the lips of a crowd which gave United a great Yorkshire welcome as they came on to the field and gave them, when they scored, a cheer which was only a little less fervant than those which greeted the home team's goals.
This was in my opinion, the best performance the United have ever put up. In the first half they were playing the better and more-direct football and thoroughly deserved their interval lead. In the second half the Wednesday's speed began to tell, but still a defence that never showed the slightest semblance of panic held out well enough to have been entitled to a replay.
The hero of the game? Big - in every sense of the word - Bill Griffiths. He ruled his area of the field, intercepted beautifully, headed surely, and looked a player of class. As if this was not enough, he started the move which led to United's goal.
It was a real captain's display. I only saw him make one actual mistake during the whole game, and that had no unfortunate consequences. The defence as a whole held the Wednesday's attack magnificently.
Jack Ball yet again rose to the occasion. Quick thinking and sure, he like Griffiths, really looked the part. So did Crapper, who showed the coolness and touch of a veteran . He had an easier task in the second half, when centre-forward Shaw was limping on the left wing.
Chadwick had the nastiest job in the game in having to watch Marriott a fast , aggressive and accurate winger who is, according to the Wednesday programme, at the top of his form . Chadwick did his best, but the winger could not be held in check. Both the Wednesday's goals came following his centres and it was he more than anyone who put the United out.
Peacock was always in the thick of things, and he earned admiring comments. He nearly gave us a heart attack when he headed a very fast ball back to Ball - A foot either side and it would have been an "own goal" but he redeemed this dangerous manoeuvre when he saved a ball on the line when a goal looked certain.
Dickie Girling showed some lovely touches, particularly in the first half. The second half saw a gradually increasing cohesion between Quixall and Marriott, and every time the ball was on the swing there was danger in the air.
The attack, for a large part of the first half, and in
snatches in the second half made the Wednesday defence work for its living. But there is no doubt that the usual forward line, with Girling on the left wing, might well have tipped the scales in the United's favour.
Not that I quarrel with Jack Tresadern's team selection. I feel, with due respect, that if Tomlinson had been at left back he would have been given a fearful runaround by Marriott. But Robinson did have the distinction of sharing in the United's goal.
I was more disappointed than I have ever been before in Hillman's display. He held up movements, and made little use of the skill and speed he possesses.
The effectiveness of Parks was reduced by his not having his usual partner, but he got through some nice work. Asher was generally well policed by McEvoy, but he completely eluded the centre-half when he scored the United's goal. The punch in the attack came from Alan Burgess. He was ever ready to have a go, and nearly won the match a few minutes from time.
The United made a good start, a neat move putting them in the right humour. They showed no trace of nerves, settled down immediately, and, without doubt, were looking the better team. Some of the Wednesday's passing was poor, and their defence was not happy. A good header by Burgess from Parks' pass was the first real effort of the game, and soon after the inside right got in a shot which Mclntosh saved well.
It was the United who looked the more dangerous, and they took the lead deservedly after twenty-five minutes with a great goal. Griffiths intercepted, beautifully, took the ball down and swung it out to the one unmarked man, Robinson. A delicate push to Parks saw the inside left racing towards the line. A centre - and Asher capped a perfect move by heading it in to the
accompaniment of an unselfish roar of applause from the crowd.
This really brought the Wednesday to their heels with a jerk, and their quick retaliation enabled Jack Ball to bring off two wonderful saves. But Burgess was there again, with a fine drive which just cleared the bar. And then came the miss of the match. McAnearney was put right through, shot wide with only Ball to beat, and hid his face in his hands.
The second half belonged to Sheffield, and after fifteen minutes Shaw headed in very neatly from Marriott's centre. The United held on and their supporters held their breaths. The United rode the storm, began to counter-attack and ten minutes from time all but scored when, from Asher's cross, Burgess and Mclntosh got to the ball together. It went wide for a corner.
And then came the unkindest cut of all. With a little over two minutes to go and everyone talking of the replay which the United had so richly earned, Wednesday made their final thrust.
There was a fusillade of shots and Greensmith scored. What a pity it was. But well done, United: very well done indeed. Your supporters are proud of you.
The attendance was 25 ,965 and receipts totalled £2 ,810.
Sheffield Wednesday: Mclntosh, Con well , Curtis, Gannon, McEvoy, Turley, Marriott, Quixall , Shaw, McAnearney, J. Greensmith.
Hastings United: Ball, Crapper, Chadwick, Peacock, Griffiths, Girling, Hillman, Burgess, Asher, Parks, Robinson.