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A 1-1
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H 4-1
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A 0-4
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A 1-5 Essex Pro Cup First Round
H 2-1
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H 5-0
A 1-3
H 1-1
A 1-2
H 1-2
A 2-1
A 1-2
H 1-0
A 1-3
H 4-1 Abandoned 83 mins
H 4-0 FA Cup Third Round
A 4-3
H 1-1
H 1-1 FA Cup Fourth Round
A 1-3 FA Cup Fourth Round Replay
H 5-2
A 0-2
H 1-1
A 1-3
H 0-0
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H 2-1
A 2-1
H 1-0
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H 2-2
H 2-2
H 0-1
A 1-2
A 1-3
LINCOLN CITY : Football League
LEICESTER CITY : Football League
King's Lynn : Eastern Counties League
The Walks
0-4
22nd August 1953
ROTHERHAM UNITED : Football League
CHARLTON ATHLETIC : Football Combination
Tottenham Hotspur "A" : Eastern Counties League
LEICESTER CITY : Football Combination Cup (Semi-Final)
Upton Park
3-2
9th November 1953
Monday evening's Combination Cup Semi-Final attracted an attendance of 9,400, which would have been considerably increased had weather conditions been kinder. Fortunately the rain which had been persistent during the afternoon ceased in time to give the pitch an opportunity of drying-out, and although playing-conditions were somewhat muddy they did not spoil the football that was provided.
It was to our way of thinking one of the best Reserve Team games seen here since the war, having a wealth of skilful play in addition to the atmosphere of a Cup Semi-Final and both XI's were to be commended upon their splendid efforts. Each contained an abundance of players with League experience and all proved that their respective clubs have plenty of strength to draw upon if required.
A run down the wing in the first minute showed that Hooper had the measure of his opposing defender and it was no surprise that the first goal came from this flank nine minutes after the start; Gazzard swung a long pass from one side of the field to the other, Hooper passed quickly inside and Foan had the ball in the net from 12 yards out with the visiting defence caught on one foot. Ten minutes later we went further ahead; Kearns gained possession near the half-way line, beat one man and pased the ball inside the full-back for Hooper to score with a shot
along the ground from near the edge of the area. When Gazzard hit the post a minute later it began to look like a big win for the Hammers, but it was then that our opponents rallied and started forcing the pace. This rally eventually had its reward when Worthington split our defence four minutes from half-time, and hit the ball into the top corner of the net from 20 yards. Between these successes both sides had missed several opportunities to score and Dickson had particularly distinguished himself between the sticks for the Blues. The opening minutes after the interval again found the Hammers on top and at the conclusion of a ten-minute attacking spell we were only denied another goal when Mil-burn back-headed a fine shot off the line with Dickson well beaten. Almost immediately Leicester swung down the field and Chiswick prevented the equaliser by diving at Littler's feet; from this save we went straight back to the other end only to be foiled by similar brilliant goalkeeping ! It was obvious that one side must succeed in netting within the next few minutes, and after Worthington had shot just wide from a free-kick it was the Hammers who next pierced their opposing rearguard. This was 20 minutes after the interval, and the move started from our own penalty-area when Kinsell's clearance went out to Hooper. A short pass to Gazzard followed and, after drawing his man till Foan ran into position, the inside-left slipped the ball through; Foan wasted no time in pushing the ball out to the wing and Tucker hit it first time against the bar from 20 yards; with the goalkeeper helpless Foan ran on to the rebound and slammed it into the corner of the net. But within six minutes the City had made it 3—2; a comparatively simple goal followed Hogg's run down the right wing, Littler scoring from short range. The concluding 20 minutes almost defy description, but among the numerous highlights three incidents stood out; Hooper beat four men, drew out the goalkeeper, passed to Gazzard—and the inside-left hit the post with the City defence all at sea; then a shot from Tucker from about 30 yards was brilliantly tipped over the bar to prevent a certain score; however, the concluding thrill was reserved for almost the last minute of this truly exciting game, for Hogg crossed the ball right across our goalmouth—only to see it pass about a foot outside the far post with Littler making a despairing effort to give it that slightest touch that must have diverted it into the net ! In a game featuring 22 real triers it is often opportunities to shine that make certain players seem more outstanding than others, but among the forwards it could be said that Hooper took the honours, although he was run close by Hogg and Worthington in the visitors' team; in defence we were extremely well-served by Kinsell and Malcolm, whilst for Leicester Milburn showed that he still retains the class that he has previously shown when playing here for Chesterfield on previous occasions and both Brown and McArthur in the centre-half positions were dominant in the mid-field play.
BLACKPOOL : F.A. Cup (Fourth Round)
Upton Park
1-1 (Dixon)
30th January 1953
Gregory
Wright
Bond
Malcolm
Allison
Bing
Hooper
Dixon
Dick
Sexton
Tucker
Ernie Gregory West Ham goalkeeper takes the ball from the head of Blackpool's centre-forward Stephenson
