WEST HAM UNITED
FOOTBALL PROGRAMMES &
Collectables through the Decade
A Pictorial History
theyflysohigh : Steve Marsh
1961-62 Football Combination (Saturday Section)
Manager: Ernie Gregory
At a meeting of the Football Combination it was agreed that the tournament should be divided into two Sections for the 1961-62 season. There will be a "Saturday" Section for those clubs who wish to normally play on Saturdays only, and a "Mid-week" Section for the remaining clubs who will play as and when they wish. West Ham have entered for the Saturday Section.
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR
White Hart Lane
2 - 4 (Crawford, Hurst)
19 August 1961
Rhodes
Bovington
Lyall
Peters
Lansdowne
Hurst
Woodley
Boyce
Beesley
Brett
Crawford
We were holding the Spurs comfortably for the first quarter-of-an-hour, but then lost the services of John Lyall for the rest of the game when he twisted his knee. Almost immediately Johnny Smith scored the Spurs' first goal, and they then added another rather against the run of the play, for Mick Beesley and Ron Brett had both hit the woodwork in the meantime. A well-taken goal by Ian Crawford in his first game for the Hammers reduced our arrears, but Spurs netted again soon after the interval to make it 3-1. Geoff Hurst got our second direct from a free-kick to keep us well in the running, and we had the home side really worried until they netted a rebound for a final 4-2 score.
One of our stars was Brian Rhodes, who made a number of fine saves; but it is perhaps unfair to mention individuals in a display which brought praise for everyone in Ernie Gregory's report of the game.
CARDIFF CITY
Upton Park
5 - 2 (Crawford 2, Beesley, Brett, Woodley)
26 August 1961
Rhodes
Bovington
Burkett
Peters
Lansdowne
Hurst
Woodley
Boyce
Beesley
Brett
Crawford
REPORT:
CRYSTAL PALACE
Selhurst Park
2 - 2 (Boyce, Woodley)
2 September 1961
Rhodes
Bovington
Burkett
Peters
Bickles
Hurst
Woodley
Boyce
Beesley
Brett
Crawford
REPORT:
NORTHAMPTON TOWN
Upton Park
2 - 0 (Beesley, Brett)
9 September 1961
Rhodes
Bovington
Burkett
Peters
Bickles
Lansdowne
Woodley
Boyce
Beesley
Brett
Dear
Our Reserves collected another couple of Football Combination points against Northampton Town Reserves at Upton Park but although they won by 2-0 our XI did not put on such a good show as on the previous Saturday when they drew 2-2 at Selhurst Park.
There appeared to be too much of a gap between the defenders and forwards for most of the time, but on the occasions when this was remedied we looked more dangerous. Both our goals came in the second half; the first, seven minutes after the interval, was netted by Ron Brett; the second, eight minutes from time was well taken by Mick Beesley, who headed home a good cross from Brian Dear. In defence Martin Peters caught the eye together with Brian Rhodes who made a couple of good saves; among the forwards Ron Boyce was most prominent.
Sorry No Image
NOTTINGHAM FOREST
City Ground
3 - 1 (Beesley 2, Dear)
16 September 1961
Rhodes
Bovington
Burkett
Peters
Bickles
Lansdowne
Woodley
Boyce
Beesley
Brett
Dear
The Forest got a goal in the third minute, but after ten minutes the Hammers settled down and from then on dictated the terms. In the forward-line Brian Dear' caught the eye with clever play ; he got our second goal with a 25-yard "screamer" after running on to a square ball from Ron Brett, and in the second half worked his way across the field to put through the pass from which Mick Beesley got our third. This was Mick's second goal of the game, as he netted with a Lawton-like header for our equaliser after Ron Brett and Dear had done the spade work.
BRISTOL ROVERS
Upton Park
2 - 3 (Brett, Crawford)
23 September 1961
Dickie
Bovington
Burkett
Peters
Bickles
Lansdowne
Woodley
Hugo
Beesley
Brett
Crawford
Bristol Rovers Reserves came to the Boleyn Ground with a 100 per cent record — and they retained it thanks to a 3-2 victory gained partly through greater experience and physical advantage against a Hammers' team which included several youngsters.
Ron Brett got the first goal six minutes after the start and we should have had another soon afterwards. However a penalty for the Rovers in the tenth minute seemed to take the heart out of our side and they got on top to lead fay 3-1 at the interval. Ian Crawford reduced the arrears 18 minutes after half-time, but thrown away chances still left us behind at the final whistle.
FULHAM : London Challenge Cup (First Round)
Craven Cottage
3 - 2 (Brett 2, Crawford)
2 October 1961
Rhodes
Bovington
Burkett
Malcolm
Lansdowne
Peters
Woodley
Boyce
Beesley
Brett
Crawford
We visited Craven Cottage last Monday to meet Fulham in the First Round of the London Challenge Cup, but as floodlights have not yet been installed at the West London ground were forced to play in the afternoon before a very sparse attendance.
The side we fielded was largely of Reserve Team strength, this being their only game over the week-end owing to there being no Combination fixture on the Saturday. The actual starting line-up comprised: Rhodes, Bovington, Burkett, Malcolm, Lansdowne, Peters, Woodley, Boyce. Beesley, Brett, Crawford.
We got right on top from the start and led by 2-0 after less than a quarter-of-an-hour's play. It seemed likely that we would keep adding to the lead, but Fulham took the chance to reduce their arrears when Jack Burkett was lying injured. Burkett was almost a passenger for the rest of the time as he could only hobble along, and we reshuffled so that Martin Peters took over in the No. 3 position and Ron Boyce dropped into the rearguard.
However, with about 20 minutes to go the Hammers went further ahead, and although the Cottagers got a late goal we were worthy winners by 3-2, Ron Brett (2) and Ian Crawford being our scorers.
IPSWICH TOWN
Upton Park
6 - 3 (Beesley 2, Britt 2, Brett, Woodley)
7 October 1961
Rhodes
Bovington
Lyall
Peters
Lansdowne
Malcolm
Woodley
Boyce
Britt
Beesley
Brett
The stars of this 6-3 victory were Eddie Bovington and Martin Britt, Bovington was wearing the No. 2 shirt, but his upfield forays constantly had the visiting defence in a tangle and he had a hand in three of our goals as well as contributing to a fourth that was disallowed. Martin scored two goals on the occasion of his Combination debut, and this 15-year-old apprentice pro gave most encouraging hopes for the future against an experienced rearguard. We took the lead a quarter-of-an-hour after the start when Bovington's centre was headed back by Ron Brett for Mick Beesley to score, and five minutes later the same trio made the next tally - Beesley again being the scorer. A through ball from Andy Malcolm was converted by Derek Woodley to put us three up in 25 minutes, but Ipswich reduced the arrears within seven minutes. We went in at the interval 4-1 in the lead, Britt having beaten the goalkeeper and centre-half to head home another cross by Bovington five minutes beforehand. After half-time Brian Rhodes made an exceptionally good save, but with the Hammers going through a somewhat bad spell at this time he was unable to prevent a second Blues' goal five minutes after the resumption. However we came back into the game and in the 70th minute Ron Boyce started the move that led up to Brett heading a back-pass for Britt to notch his second. Five minutes from the end the visitors made it 5-3, but within a couple of minutes Woodley centred for Brett to round off a good afternoon with a goal.
LEICESTER CITY
Filbert Street
3 - 0 (Beesley 2, Dear)
14 October 1961
Rhodes
Bovington
Lyall
Peters
Lansdowne
Hurst
Dear
Brett
Beesley
Hugo
Scott
After our 3-0 Football Combination victory at Filbert Street a Leicester City official expressed the opinion that our Reserve Team was the best seen there this season, and it is true to say that there wasn't a weak link, in our XI.
Brian Rhodes made a couple of brilliant saves early on before we had scored (and he afterwards stopped a penalty-kick when we were three ahead); it was also a long ball from our 'keeper (headed on by Hugo) which provided the opening for Mick Beesley to score our first goal ten minutes before half-time. A similarly-schemed move led to our third goal, Eddie Bovington's long throw also being headed forward for Beesley to hit the ball on the volley inside the far post in the 65th minute. Five minutes earlier a through pass from Tony Scott had been converted by Brian Dear
CHELSEA : London Challenge Cup (Second Round)
Upton Park
1 - 2 (Woodley)
16 October 1961
Rhodes
Bovington
Lyall
Peters
Lansdowne
Hurst
Dear
Boyce
Beesley
Hugo
Woodley
Almost the same team which had beaten Leicester City Reserves represented us in the Second Round of the London Challenge Cup at Upton Park on the following Monday, although Ron Boyce came in at inside-forward and Derek Wopdley replaced Tony Scott (who was not fit) ; but after a successful opening twenty minutes at the end of which Woodley scored from Ron Brett's centre they faded badly and went under by 2-1.
The Pensioners changed their original XI in three places to include Terry Venables, Peter Brabrook and Michael Block. Brabrook proved to be a big menace to our defence, and during the closing stages combined with Reg Matthews, John Sillett and Venables to play out time. The visitors could not be blamed for taking this action, as they had been reduced to ten men after 28 minutes' play when ex-Hammers' Colt Colin Shaw collided with Brian Rhodes and was carried off with a bruised collar-bone.
Despite having a one-man deficit, Chelsea seemed to play with greater confidence during the last hour, and Harrison (46 mins.) and Block (57 mins.) got the goals that put them into the Semi-Final. Frankly it was a disappointing ending for all Hammers* fans among the 5,113 attendance.
LUTON TOWN
Upton Park
1 - 1 (Brett)
21 October 1961
Rhodes
Presland
Lyall
Peters
Lansdowne
Hurst
Woodley
Hugo
Beesley
Brett
Scott
The Combination visitors to Upton Park were Luton Town and five minutes after the start Ron Brett (who did a lot of hard work) put us ahead, and we held this advantage until after the interval. The Hatters succeeded in equalising during the second half and aided by splendid goalkeeping from Ron Baynham they held on to make a 1-1 draw. Tony Scott marked his return with a useful performance, and John Lyall has gone a long way to regaining full fitness after sustaining a knee injury in the first game of the season.
NOTTS COUNTY
Meadow Lane
0 - 5
28 October 1961
Rhodes
Bovington
Lyall
Peters
Bickles
Hurst
Dear
Brett
Britt
Beesley
Scott
The arrangement of our Football Combination fixtures this season are such that on four successive Saturdays we are meeting new opponents in this competition; as members of the First Division in 1960-61 we did not come into opposition with these teams who were in Division II, but since the re-organisation into Saturday and Mid-Week Sections the composition of our rivals has considerably altered.
Our first experience was not a happy one, and we received a nasty shock when we went under by five clear goals at Meadow Lane against Notts County. We were unfortunate inasmuch that John Lyall twisted his ankle five minutes before half-time, and when he returned he was almost a passenger in the forward-line. However, we were two goals down at the time, and with one more before the interval and two in the second-half the County were worthy winners.
MANSFIELD TOWN
Upton Park
7 - 2 (Beesley 3, Brett 2, Peters, Presland)
4 November 1961
Rhodes
Presland
Burkett
Bovington
Lansdowne
Peters
Woodley
Boyce
Beesley
Brett
Dear
The balance was restored against Mansfield Town at Upton Park when our first goal came six minutes after the start and two more followed in the space of five minutes, Mick Beesley (2) and Ron Brett being j the scorers; we led by 3-1 at the interval. A high lob by Eddie Presland was completely missed by the opposing 'keeper to make it 4-1 soon after the resumption, then Brett finished off a ran by Derek Woodley in the 70th minute. Following this Martin Peters hit one in from 30 yards and another run by Woodley provided the chance for Mick Beesley to complete his hat-trick and bring us an easy win in a not very interesting game.
PETERBOROUGH UNITED
London Road
2 - 1 (Beesley, Brett)
11 November 1961
Rhodes
Presland
Burkett
Bovington
Lansdowne
Peters
Scott
Boyce
Tindall
Beesley
Brett
From start to finish at London Road it was a very good game with plenty of action. The " Posh " scored just before half-time, but after the interval our forward-line went from strength to strength, and with Ron Tindall playing very usefully on his first appearance in our colours we began to get the upper hand. In the 63rd minute a through ball from Ron Boyce was laid back by Ron Brett and Mick Beesley hit it full on the volley for the equaliser. Two minutes from time Tony Scott cleverly feinted to move down the touchline, and diverted the attention of the home defence as Brett crossed the ball to Beesley fur the winning tally.
SHREWSBURY TOWN
Upton Park
4 - 0 (Beesley 2, Tindall, [og])
18 November 1961
Rhodes
Presland
Burkett
Bovington
Lansdowne
Peters
Woodley
Boyce
Tindall
Beesley
Scott
The visitors are very low in the table, but at times rather belied their poor record by playing some good soccer. However, we did not have much bother to gain a 4-0 margin after scoring three times within the first half-hour. Ron Tindall opened our account in the 16th minute. heading home Tony Scott's cross to the far post, and three minutes later Eddie Presland moved downfield in an interchanging movement with several colleagues that ended with a fast centre being diverted into his own net by an opposing defender. A through ball from Eddie Bovington was taken well on the run by Mick Beesley in the 26th minute, and Beesley was again the scorer a quarter-of-an-hour from time when Bovington and Scott combined for the latter to centre the vital pass. We also missed a penalty two minutes from the end.
ARSENAL
Highbury
2 - 0 (Scott, Woodley)
25 November 1961
Rhodes
Presland
Bickles
Bovington
Lansdowne
Peters
Woodley
Boyce
Beesley
Brett
Scott
Among the Arsenal Reserves side were some well-known Gunners, including Mel Charles at centre-forward. However, they could not produce anything like their expected form, and with Bill Lansdowne holding Charles in a vice-like grip the home forwards found themselves unable to make much headway against a determined defence in which Brian Rhodes also had a good game. A fifth-minute goal by Derek Woodley put the Hammers on the road to victory and Tony Scott got another with a screw-shot a quarter-of-an-hour after the interval to set the seal on a top-rate performance
LEICESTER CITY
Upton Park
5 - 2 (Brett 2, Woodley 2, Beesley)
2 December 1961
Rhodes
Presland
Burkett
Bovington
Lansdowne
Peters
Woodley
Boyce
Beesley
Brett
Scott
For the home match v Leicester City Reserves we made only one change, Jack Burkett taking over from Dave Bickles. Again we got away to a good start, and Derek Woodley (2) and Ron Brett scored the goals which gave us a 3-1 half-time lead, the Filberts' tally coming from a player who was in an offside position until the ball reached him via a deflection from a defender. Good team-work continued to pay dividends after the breather, and Brett got another before Mick Beesley finished our scoring at the end of a combined move with Brett and Tony Scott (who got through a tremendous amount of work). The final score was 5-2.
IPSWICH TOWN
Portman Road
8 - 2 (Hugo 3, Beesley, Brett, Peters, Rhodes [pen])
9 December 1961
Rhodes
Presland
Burkett
Peters
Lansdowne
Charles
Woodley
Hugo
Beesley
Brett
Scott
Perhaps one of the most outstanding features of this remarkable victory at Portman Road was that Brian Rhodes not only pulled off some very good saves, but finished with his name among the goalscorers through a penalty conversion in the last five minutes.
Right from the kick-off the Hammers dominated the exchanges and within five minutes Ron Brett came in from the wing to hit home the ball first time. Two minutes later Tony Scott crossed the ball for Roger Hugo to dive and head it home, and Hugo went on to complete his hat-trick before the interval with goals in the 35th and 38th minutes (Scott and Brett put in the work for the second to be headed again and Brett also centred for the last). Before these Mick Beesley had converted a 27th-minute header, after Scott had moved down the left-wing with Jack Burkett for our full-back to send the ball into the middle. Half-time 5-1.
Just after half-time Scott intercepted a pass and put the ball past the 'keeper for a deserved goal before the home defence had recovered, and a great drive by Martin Peters brought No.7. Then Rhodes completed the rout - only for the Blues to get anotheconsolation."
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR
Upton Park
2 - 1 (Beesley, Peters)
16 December 1961
Rhodes
Presland
Burkett
Bovington
Lansdowne
Peters
Woodley
Hugo
Beesley
Brett
Scott
The Spurs are still leading the table despite their 2-1 defeat at Upton Park, but as this was our second-string's seventh successive victory the North Londoners realised only too well that they will not be able to ease up if they are to retain their advantage. It was, incidentally, the Lily whites' first defeat in about 16 games.
We took the lead after about ten minutes when Tony Scott's shot was flicked on to Mick Beesley for the centre-forward to score his 18th Combination goal this season. We held that one-goal advantage at the interval ; it could have been more, but as Brian Rhodes also had to make some top-rate saves we couldn't complain. The Spurs managed to equalise, but the Hammers were clearly the better side and justice was done when Martin Peters hit the winner from 20 yards ; Ernie Gregory described this as being one of the best goals he has seen for many a day. Full marks, Hammers, especially to a terrific defence.
CARDIFF CITY
Ninian Park
4 - 3 (Brett 2, Beesley, Boyce)
23 December 1951
Rhodes
Presland
Burkett
Bovington
Lansdowne
Peters
Woodley
Boyce
Beesley
Brett
Scott
In the opening stages the Bluebirds heid the upper hand, and it was not until about a quarter-of-an-hour before the interval that the Hammers began to play well. Mick Beesley scored a goal for us, but we went in for the breather 1-2 in arrears. The City got another soon after the second half started to increase their margin to 3-1, after which we then came back with a fighting rally as conditions underfoot got harder. A free-kick that found Ron Boyce was moved on in turn to Beesley and Ron Brett, whose pass was met by Boyce (who had run through) to reduce our arrears. Then two goals by Brett (the second from Tony Scott's pass) put us in front for the first time, and we ran out winners by 4-3.
PLYMOUTH ARGYLE
Upton Park
1 - 1 (Brett)
6 January 1962
Rhodes
Presland
Burkett
Bovington
Lansdowne
Peters
Woodley
Boyce
Sealey
Brett
Dear
We were originally due to play Plymouth Argyle Reserves at Upton Park on December 30th, but the snow on the pitch meant a Friday postponement (before the Argyle party had left Home Park). As our ground was available on the following Saturday we made a speedy decision to play the game on January 6th.
The visitors amply proved why they are well-placed in the table, and fully deserved the 1-1 draw. A goalless first half was followed by another evenly-matched 45 minutes ; Ron Brett marked a very good performance by putting us ahead, but although the Argyle generally had difficulty in penetrating our splendid defence a slip-up ten minutes from time brought the equaliser.
CRYSTAL PALACE
Upton Park
3 - 3 (Woodley 2, Brett)
13 January 1962
Rhodes
Presland
Burkett
Bovington
Lansdowne
Peters
Woodley
Brett
Sealey
Beesley
Scott
Derek Woodley put us ahead in the first half but our standard of play declined and Palace not only equalised before the interval but actually went in front early in the second half. Whilst attempting to stop this latest goal Brian Rhodes hurt his shoulder and went off for the remainder of the game; we re-arranged our team and Martin Peters took over between the sticks, but another blow fell when Ron Brett had to leave the field for a while owing to a knee injury. Nevertheless our depleted side fought well, and after Brett had levelled the scores from a corner Woodley got another to put us in the lead again amid great excitement. The Glaziers' final equaliser with but half-a-minute to go was a disappointing anti-climax.
NORTHAMPTON TOWN
County Ground
1 - 4 (Beesley)
20 January 1962
Rhodes
Burkett
Lyall
Hurst
Lansdowne
Peters
Woodley
Boyce
Beesley
Hugo
Crawford
For the second successive week Brian Rhodes had to leave the field through injury, and this time it was due to a dislocated shoulder which necessitated a visit to the local hospital.
This happened when we were 3-1 down, and even up till then things had not gone our way at all. Admittedly we deserved to be two goals in arrears at half-time, but when Mick Beesley scored soon after the interval we were well back into the game. Then Martin Peters got the ball into the Northampton net—only for the "goal" to be disallowed - and at the other end the Town scored from what looked like an offside position. Another goal against our depleted side made the final score 4-1 in favour of the Cobblers.
NORWICH CITY
Upton Park
2 - 1 (Brett, Hugo)
27 January 1962
Dickie
Burkett
Lyall
Peters
Lansdowne
Charles
Woodley
Boyce
Beesley
Brett
Hugo
Among the stars of our 2-1 victory were two of our Colts - Alan Dickie who made several good saves and John Charles who did very well in his second Combination appearance of the season. Also among our leading lights was Ron Brett; he scored the first goal with an angled shot on the run and kept up the good work until the finish.
The Canaries equalised with a good goal from a richochet, but near half-time Martin Peters came through and cleverly chipped the ball to the far post for Roger Hugo to head it home.
NOTTINGHAM FOREST
Upton Park
5 - 1 (Brett 2, Beesley, Crawford, Woodley)
3 February 1962
Dickie
Burkett
Lyall
Hurst
Lansdowne
Charles
Woodley
Boyce
Beesley
Brett
Crawford
The Forest looked a strong side on paper, but the Hammers recorded an easy 5-1 victory after being two up at the interval. In a good all-round display it was our forwards who caught the eye with some excellent goals; Ron Brett (who did a lot of hard work) got two, the others coming from Ian Crawford (a strong right-foot shot), Mick Beesley (a 25-yard drive) and Derek Woodley (with his left-foot from 25-yards on the angle).
BRISTOL ROVERS
Eastville
2 - 5 (Brett, Hurst)
10 February 1962
Dickie
Burkett
Lyall
Hurst
Lansdowne
Charles
Woodley
Boyce
Beesley
Brett
Crawford
The Hammers had a good first half, and although at times the finishing could have been better we got a 2-1 lead; Ron Brett opened our score and Geoff Hurst ran in to convert a chipped pass by Martin Peters for the second. The Rovers' fans appealed for offside on Hurst's goal, but when the home side equalised just before half-time there was little doubt in our minds that the Bristol player had been behind our defence when the ball was passed. However, there was no question of the opposition's superiority in the second half, for they completely dominated the exchanges to run up a 5-2 final margin; the Hammers were not the same side after the interval and it was hard to believe that they had shown up so well in the earlier stages.
COLCHESTER UNITED
Upton Park
7 - 0 (Hugo 3, Brett, Peters, Woodley, [og])
17 February 1962
Dickie
Burkett
Lyall
Hurst
Lansdowne
Peters
Woodley
Boyce
Beesley
Brett
Hugo
A through ball by Geoff Hurst enabled Derek Woodley to open our score after five minutes and Roger Hugo got a second four minutes later after Ron Brett had made a good run and laid back the ball from the bye-line; two minutes before the interval a 30-yard drive by Martin Peters put us 3-0 up. The second half found the Hammers over-running a poor opposition and after an "own goal" Brett headed in from Woodley's cross. Hugo completed his hat-trick and the 7-0 rout with a scrambled goal and another after good work by Brett.
LUTON TOWN
Kenilworth Road
1 - 2 (Beesley)
24 February 1962
Dickie
Burkett
Lyall
Hurst
Lansdowne
Peters
Woodley
Brett
Tindall
Beesley
Crawford
The somewhat gusty conditions were not conducive to good play, but even making allowances for these this could never be classified as a good game. The Hammers had as many chances as the Hatters of winning, but failed to accept as many and consequently lost by 1-2. Mick Beesley got our goal during the first half, and we changed over on level terms, but the home side got a second-half decider.
NOTTS COUNTY
Upton Park
2 - 2 (Beesley, Brett)
3 March 1962
Rhodes
Presland
Burkett
Hurst
Lansdowne
Hugo
Woodley
Brett
Tindall
Beesley
Crawford
Our finishing could have been better at times, but even so it would have been quite sufficient in the ordinary way to gain us the points; unfortunately the County goalkeeper — George Smith — chose to put on a terrific display between the sticks, and he forestalled all our efforts to clinch the points. Smith was ever-present for the Magpies' first team last season, and on this particular Saturday had cried off from League duty as he was not quite fit; he apparently agreed to "fill in" for the Reserves — to our consequent frustration! The County led by a single goal at half-time, but Mick Beesley got
the equaliser by running on to a pass which was put over the opposing defence by Ron Brett. An apparently " offside " counter enabled Notts to share the spoils by nullifying a scrambled Hammers' goal credited to Brett.
Sorry No Image
MANSFIELD TOWN
Field Mill
3 - 0 (Hugo, Sissons, Woodley)
10 March 1962
Dickie
Burkett
Charles
Peters
Bickles
Hurst
Woodley
Boyce
Beesley
Sissons
Hugo
Former Hammer Bob Wylie was in goal for the Stags, but he had no chance with any of the three efforts which beat him before the interval. Our very young side (whose average age was under 19) gave a brilliant first-half display; the goals were netted by Derek Woodley, Geoff Hurst and Roger Hugo, but it was an all-round performance to whom due should be given. Our XI eased off in the second half, but held on to the 3-0 margin in easy fashion despite being partly deprived of the services of Hugo who received a knock.
PETERBOROUGH UNITED
Upton Park
0 - 2
17 March 1962
Rhodes
Burkett
Lyall
Bovington
Lansdowne
Peters
Woodley
Boyce
Beesley
Hugo
Scott
On the whole this was not a good game; we do not say that because Peterborough won, for they also agreed that it was one of those games where the points went to a side which held iust about a 2-0 advantage over the opposition. In defence we did quite well (with Martin Peters commanding especial praise), but in the forward-line we lacked the means of finishing off good midfield moves.
ARSENAL
Upton Park
2 - 1 (Dear, Lyall)
31 March 1962
Rhodes
Burkett
Lyall
Bovington
Bickles
Lansdowne
Dear
Boyce
Beesley
Hugo
Crawford
In a disappointing first-half display the Hammers were a little fortunate to get away with being only one goal down at half-time. However there was a distinct improvement in the second half and we went on to win by 2-1. Brian Dear got our equaliser from a rebound which the visiting 'keeper could not hold, and the winner came from John Lyall who moved upfield and chipped the ball over the heads of the Gunners' defenders.
PLYMOUTH ARGYLE
Home Park
3 - 2 (Crawford, Dick, Peters)
7 April 1962
Rhodes
Burkett
Lyall
Bovington
Lansdowne
Peters
Scott
Boyce
Beesley
Dick
Crawford
The Hammers' side included John Dick (playing his first game for about a month), and the tall Scot soon showed that he was on the way to recovery after injury by cracking home a 30-yard "dipper" at the end of half-an-hour's play to equalise the Pilgrims' fifth-minute goal; this enabled us to go in at the interval on even terms. We got well on top during the second half and Martin Peters put us ahead with a 20-yard shot from the left side of the penalty-area that hit the far top corner of the net; a third tally from Ian Crawford made us more comfortable, which was perhaps just as well, as Bill Lansdowne got a knock about a quarter-of-an-hour from time that rather unbalanced our defence. However, we staved off the homesters until four minutes before the final whistle to deservedly secure the points.
It was our best Combination display for a long while, and trainer Ernie Gregory was most enthusiastic about the performance.
NORWICH CITY
Carrow Road
3 - 0 (Hugo 2, Hurst)
18 April 1962
Dickie
Jones
Burkett
Bovington
Bickles
Charles
Dear
Boyce
Beesley
Hurst
Hugo
REPORT:
COLCHESTER UNITED
Layer Road
4 - 1 (Beesley, Boyce, Dear, Musgrove)
28 April 1962
Grainger
Presland
Burkett
Bovington
Brown
Hurst
Dear
Boyce
Beesley
Musgrove
Hugo
REPORT:
