WEST HAM UNITED
FOOTBALL PROGRAMMES &
Memorabilia through the Decade
theyflysohigh : Steve Marsh
A Pictorial History
1954-55 London Mid-Week League
Manager : Bill Robinson
ARSENAL
Spotted Dog Ground
? - (??)
Date
Player 1
The most pleasing feature of this game was the display of our ground-staff lads, particularly those in the forward line who showed a tine sense of understanding throughout. In the earlier stages both Fenn and McDonald hit the woodwork with shots that had the visiting goalkeeper completely beaten and we were distinctly unluckly to find ourselves in arrears. However Fenn equalised with a header to make the final score 1-1 in a game that we deserved to win.
CHELSEA
Spotted Dog Ground
? - (??)
Date
Player 1
At Spotted Dog Ground. Our "A" Team again made a 1-1 draw in their second match in this season's Mid-Week competition, this time against a strong Chelsea side that contained many useful youngsters. Our own XI also had an accent on youth and contained only three professionals.
The Pensioners took the lead before half-time but Chaplin equalised three minutes from time to bring a fair result to a game in which both sides contributed to an entertaining 90 minutes.
SOUTHEND UNITED
Spotted Dog Ground
? - (??)
Date
Player 1
It was a case of positions reversed in the Mid-Week League fixture against Southend United "A" at the Spotted Dog Ground on Monday, For our third-string had little trouble in recording a 4-1 win over the Shrimpers. Indeed this might have been greater but for the intervention of the posts and crossbars in favour of the visitors on a number of occasions. It was not until ten minutes from time that the Seasiders reduced our lead, Dixon (2), Smith and Macdonald having put us well in front.
PORTSMOUTH
Spotted Dog Ground
? - (??)
Date
Player 1
In the Pompey team was John Kenny, now a Fratton Park professional, who will be remembered as a former amateur on our books last season. Two goals by Tucker tone from a penalty) gave us the edge in this game, the visitors only scoring once in reply.
WATFORD
Venue
? - (??)
Date
Player 1
Player 2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
Three goals by Arnott gave the Hammers a clear-cut victory, our defence holding the home side scoreless with a strong display. As a result of this 3-0 success we retain our place at the head of the table with eight points from five games.
WATFORD
Spotted Dog Ground
? - (??)
Date
Player 1
We gained a 1-0 lead by the interval and added another shortly afterwards before the visitors opened their account. However, another goal near the finish gave our X! a comfortable 3-1 success, which firmly established them at the head of the table.
QUEENS PARK RANGERS
Spotted Dog Ground
? - (??)
Date
Player 1
A penalty-kick converted by Matthews before the interval was the only score in a dour tussle in which there was little between the sides. However, our youngsters showed up well to maintain their run of success in this competition. and with 12 points from their seven games are still firmly established at the head of the table.
PORTSMOUTH
Venue
? - (??)
Date
Player 1
Player 2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
The only newcomer to the side was Sperrin. now serving with the R.A.F. at Halton.
As Fratton Park was literally "under water" the game was played on the Royal Marines Ground at Eastleigh Barracks. Before the kick-off both teams blood in silence for two minutes in memory of Jimmy Nichol. Portsmouth's chief trainer, who had died a few hours before the game.
A goal by Matthews put us ahead in the first-half. We were holding this advantage when we were reduced to ten men after the interval through an injury to Tommy Chish who hit his head on an upright whilst making a save. Dick Walker took over between the sticks and although the Pompey forwards defeated him once to force a 1-1 draw he really played "a blinder"
FULHAM
Venue
? - (??)
Date
Player 1
Player 2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
Against this nearly all-professional X! the Cottagers made little impression, and with a 3 0 win our third-string strengthened their position at the head of the table, their record now being won 6, drawn 3, lost 0, Johnston gave the Hammers the lead before the interval and Blackburn and Matthews added further counters after the resumption.
CRYSTAL PALACE
Venue
? - (??)
Date
Player 1
Player 2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
The only newcomer to our colours was Winters, a Scot who is at present living locally.
Two undefeated sides were meeting in this fixture, for the Palace are one of our challengers for the title this season. However, our side finished well on top after being held to 1-1 at the interval. Winters. Haley and Spiers each contributed a goal to our deserved success, and in consequence we have opened a nice gap between ourselves and the other teams in the tournament through this 3-1 victory.
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR
Venue
? - (??)
Date
Player 1
Player 2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
Dick Walker skippered a side of young professionals and amateurs in this Mid-Week league game. Pike was the only newcomer but Ryan is a recent addition and is on a month's trial at Upton Park: this was Lansdowne's first game as a pro.
Although the game was not a very good one the Hammers earned their 1-0 win through a goal by Haley, and in doing so maintained their lead at the head of the table in which they have an unbeaten record.
SOUTHEND UNITED
Venue
? - (??)
Date
Player 1
Player 2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
A convincing 4-1 win kept our third-string at the head of the table on a rather bleak day at Southend. Blackburn opened our account during the first half but the Shrimpers drew level before the interval. However, two more quick goals brought Blackburn his hat-trick (one was from a penalty-kick) and Moore added another before the end to cap his first appearance in our colours.
FULHAM
Spotted Dog Ground
? - (??)
Date
Player 1
Our "A" Team their fifth successive win in the Mid-Week League where they hold top place with an unbeaten record. Walker opened the score with a free-kick in the first minute and Stroud added another couple of goals after the interval before the visin hack to 3-2 in an exciting finish.
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR
Spotted Dog Ground
? - (??)
Date
Player 1
Included in a strong Spurs' side were Nicholson, Wetton and Ward. Two goals by Spurs in the second half made West Ham fight for victory at the 'Spotted Dog'. Spurs looked the better team with their neat short passing but it was West Ham who took the lead when Stroud scored. Stroud added a second goal and right winger Franklyn scored to put the Hammers three up at half time.
Stroud completed his hat-trick after the interval with a hard drive. Four goals down would have disheartened any team, but not Spurs, they hit back with a goal by Dowset after some good approach work. Spurs reduced the lead when Bousley added a second direct from a Arundle's corner.
CHARLTON ATHLETIC
Venue
? - (??)
Date
Player 1
Player 2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
The Athletic took the lead at the end of a quarler-of-an-hour's play but Noakes equalised before the interval. A goalmouth melee folio winy a pass from the left wing ended in Stroud tapping the ball home from close in but with 15 minutes to go the homesters made it 2-2, the score remaing that way until the end.
CHARLTON ATHLETIC
Spotted Dog Ground
? - (??)
Date
Player 1
Arnott was injured during the opening minutes and this undoubtedly had its effect on our XI, but it came as a complete surprise when our third-string went under by 3-2 to a team against whom they had forced a 2-2 away draw a few days previously. We were two goals down at one time but although Cooper scored from a penalty-kick and Fenn added another the points eventually went to the better team.
This was our first defeat in the Mid-Week League, where our complete record reads: won 11, drawn 4, lost 1, goals 38-17. This gives us a six point lead over Chelsea (who have two games in hand), but with three of our remaining four games to be played away from home there is still a chance of the Pensioners or other rivals catching us yet.
CRYSTAL PALACE
Spotted Dog Ground
? - (??)
Date
Player 1
Although we scored first through Blackburn after 15 minutes, the Palace equalised ten minutes later and had slightly the better of the first-half. However, after the interval we were well on top, and with Blackburn completing his hat-trick were worthy winners by 3-1.
QUEENS PARK RANGERS
Venue
? - (??)
Date
Player 1
Player 2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
This was a real ding-dong struggle with some good soccer by both sides. A free-kick by Noakes put us one up. but the Rangers were 2-1 ahead at the interval. Haley scored an equaliser soon after the resumption but the homesters again went ahead. This spurred the Hammers on to further efforts, and in the closing stages Fenn and Franklin each netted to bring us a 4-3 victory.
ARSENAL
Venue
? - (??)
Date
Player 1
Player 2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
Our "A" Team's match against Arsenal "A" on March 30th had a considerable influence on our position in the London Mid-Week League. Had we won we would have been in an unassailable position, but as we lost by 3-2 we have now to wait for Chelsea "A" to drop a couple of points or else take a point from the Pensioners in our final fixture in the competition. The Gunners gained a 2-0 lead before we came into the picture, but after a splendid fight-back we drew level through goals by Fenn and Haley. However, a penalty put Arsenal ahead once more and lhe\ heid out our strong attacks to gain the points.
CHELSEA
Venue
? - (??)
Date
Player 1
Player 2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
REPORT:
