EVENING GAZETTE, Monday, November 8, 1954
IT WAS ‘HELP YOURSELF’ DAY AT EWOOD PARK!
IT WAS ‘HELP YOURSELF’ DAY AT EWOOD PARK!
By Cliff Mitchell
HAVE YOU recovered from the shock? I imagine you will have, for as supporters of Middlesbrough F.C. you should, by now, be almost impervious to blows like this.
Watching this jolly little affair at Ewood Park on Saturday were quite a lot of loyal followers who had made the trip, in wretched weather to see their team collect at least a point.
Watching this jolly little affair at Ewood Park on Saturday were quite a lot of loyal followers who had made the trip, in wretched weather to see their team collect at least a point.
Those hopes must have been high in the first 20 minutes, during which Borough looked the better side.
That’s what made the ensuing holocaust so fantastic, Middlesbrough were a good side for the first quarter; there was no hint of the collapse to come.
Then, just when the Borough contingent was beginning to feel really optimistic, the game underwent an amazing transformation.
Quigley scored from a rebound in the 23rd minute, from which time there was but one team in the game. That team was not Middlesbrough.
True, Wayman broke through to by-pass the goalkeeper and then shoot wide, but Borough’s isolated raids were in unhappy contrast to the relentless, mercilessly effective, attacking of the Lancashire lads.
That’s what made the ensuing holocaust so fantastic, Middlesbrough were a good side for the first quarter; there was no hint of the collapse to come.
Then, just when the Borough contingent was beginning to feel really optimistic, the game underwent an amazing transformation.
Quigley scored from a rebound in the 23rd minute, from which time there was but one team in the game. That team was not Middlesbrough.
True, Wayman broke through to by-
POOR COVER
Rovers won 9-0, their highest ever League success, and Middlesbrough a worst ever. Since some space must be left on this page for other sports news I do not intend to delve into the circumstances of every goal. Life is short.
Let it be said that Ugolini might have prevented a couple: let it be said, too, that he made a number of fine saves and had pathetically poor cover.
Barnard and Brown, on a glue-pot surface had their immaturity mercilessly exposed, especially since Robinson was so harried by the burley Briggs that he could give them no assistance.
Wing halves Harris and Dicks were often left leaden-footed by Rovers’ direct, forceful inside forwards, Quigley and Crossan, who laid down the foundations for their teams runaway victory.
The forwards? Promising at first; completely ineffective later.
I think there will be no panic changes but Borough have a tremendous recovery job at home to Fulham this week end.
Scorers: Quigley (3), Mooney (3), Crossan (2), and Langton.
Barnard and Brown, on a glue-
I think there will be no panic changes but Borough have a tremendous recovery job at home to Fulham this week end.
Scorers: Quigley (3), Mooney (3), Crossan (2), and Langton.
Ten-goal
Reserves
While the seniors were taking their hiding at Blackburn the Borough Reserves were handing one out at Ayresome Park and at the receiving end of a 10-1 trouncing were South Shields
The reserves had started with a first-minute goal from McPherson but subsequently play in the first half gave little hint of the deluge to come for though play was dull and uninspired Shields at least fought hard.
Perhaps when they came out of the dressing room after the interval and saw that 5-0 for Blackburn on the scoreboard the Reserves were inspired with visions of first-team places.
One-way traffic
Whatever the reason they began to put some bite into their play and goals began to come quickly until the visiting defence became thoroughly demoralised and it became one way traffic.
It became so one-sided that it would, perhaps be a mistake to draw too many lessons from the game. Certainly McPherson appears to have recovered his confidence in front of goal and Walker showed that he is still a very good winger, though Rayment was the more consistent over the 90 minutes.
The defence was seldom severely tested and the North Skelton boy, Rutter, was given little chance to show his worth. What he had to do he did well and he had no chance with the shot from Morris which beat him.
Borough scorers; -- McPherson (6), McLean, Walker, Rayment, and Hartnell.
It became so one-
Borough scorers; -
No ‘panic’ changes, says Mr. Dennison
MONDAY reflection by Middlesbrough manager Mr. Bob Dennison:
“There will be no panic changes for the home game with Fulham next Saturday. We played good football for the first 25 minutes at Blackburn and should have been three up before they scored.
“ After that, the Rovers adapted themselves much better to the heavy conditions. But our confidence has not been shattered by one defeat, big as it was.”
The side to meet Fulham will be announced on Wednesday.
MONDAY reflection by Middlesbrough manager Mr. Bob Dennison:
“There will be no panic changes for the home game with Fulham next Saturday. We played good football for the first 25 minutes at Blackburn and should have been three up before they scored.
“ After that, the Rovers adapted themselves much better to the heavy conditions. But our confidence has not been shattered by one defeat, big as it was.”
The side to meet Fulham will be announced on Wednesday.
EVENING GAZETTE, Monday, August 25, 1958.
BRIGHTON HOPE BORO’ ARE THE BEST!
By Cliff Mitchell
By Cliff Mitchell
“I DON’T think we can possibly meet a better team in the Second Division. Anyway, I hope not!”
That was Brighton and Hove Albion manager, Billy Lane’s reaction when I spoke to him after his team disintegrated at Ayresome Park on Saturday and went down to a shattering 9 - 0 defeat in its initial game in the Second Division.
That was Brighton and Hove Albion manager, Billy Lane’s reaction when I spoke to him after his team disintegrated at Ayresome Park on Saturday and went down to a shattering 9 -
Week-end “inquests” have resulted in varying verdicts.
Popular is that which points to the weakness of the Brighton defence and minimises the merit of Borough’s victory on that count.
That is true -- to an extent. But whatever the opposition, goals have to be scored.
And it must be agreed that there was some bonny goals among Middlesbrough’s nine. Goals that would have looked just as good against any opposition.
The best answer
I had a word with Brian Clough after the match. And I spotted the twinkle in his eye when he told me:--
“It was the added responsibility of being captain that held me back, Cliff. Oh well, I suppose we know what to do about it . . . .
There was nothing vicious, nothing “clever,” about the young centre-forward’s joke, but I can appreciate how he felt.
So many people, so many times, have said that it was unwise to appoint him captain, that he must have been mightily relieved when he cracked home five of his team’s nine goals.
But Borough were no one-man side.
That is true -
The best answer
I had a word with Brian Clough after the match. And I spotted the twinkle in his eye when he told me:-
There was nothing vicious, nothing “clever,” about the young centre-
But Borough were no one-
I could pin-point no weak links, and in spite of the obvious lack of skill in the opposition the fact remains that Middlesbrough played as a team.
Which to me, is absolutely essential.
Lethal as any
The forwards who did not score played a major part in this, the most convincing victory in the history of the club.
Day and Holliday sent some superb centres across, while McLean ran himself into the ground making chances for his colleagues.
The forward line really “clicked” and showed itself to be potentially, as lethal as any in the country.
The half back line looked good and new boy Ernie Walley seems to be a strong, resourceful left-half.
The rearguard had comparatively little to do. They did it well.
A great victory, even an historic victory.
The opposition in the future games will be very much sterner than this, but Borough have shown their power and their potential.
Hopes are high.
Lethal as any
The forwards who did not score played a major part in this, the most convincing victory in the history of the club.
Day and Holliday sent some superb centres across, while McLean ran himself into the ground making chances for his colleagues.
The forward line really “clicked” and showed itself to be potentially, as lethal as any in the country.
The half back line looked good and new boy Ernie Walley seems to be a strong, resourceful left-
A great victory, even an historic victory.
The opposition in the future games will be very much sterner than this, but Borough have shown their power and their potential.
Hopes are high.
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EVENING GAZETTE, Monday, October 24 1960.
THE WONDER WAS THAT ‘ONLY’ 12 GOALS WERE SCORED!
By Cliff Mitchell
By Cliff Mitchell
WELL, they did it again! Borough, for the third time in away matches this season, took part in a match rated as the best for years on that particular ground.
It was 4-4 at Leeds, 3-3 at Plymouth and now the “daddy” of them all, 6-6 at Charlton. And I can’t imagine a more thrilling tussle than this one. It will live for years!
It was 4-
The crowd, kept to small proportions because of the heavy rain was drunk with goals. It was kept in an agony of suspense as the Athletic fought back, and it erupted when Summers scored the last equaliser (goal No. 12) no more than 30 seconds from the final whistle.
The pitch was invaded, mostly by small boys, and police had to clear it before the last few seconds of this fabulous match could be played.
Rumbustious
Yes, fabulous it was. Fantastic, incredible, amazing -- this spell of 90 minutes qualified for all these high-faluting adjectives.
Apart from the 12 occasions on which the goalkeepers picked the ball out of the net, there were more near misses and narrow escapes than I have seen in any game this season.
It was rumbustious, dynamic fare, and it stirred the blood.
Borough’s forwards were brilliant; Clough hit his most lethal form; Peacock and McLean were fetching, carrying and driving the whole time; Burbeck and Waldock were direct, dazzling wingers.
Just how many shots and headers went inches wide, or were blocked, or hit the woodwork, I can’t remember.
But it is true to say that Charlton’s goal often bore a charmed life -- in spite of the six that didn’t get away!
Hindered
Defensively, there must be a different story to tell.
Appleby made some fine saves and was, I’m told, hindered by a Charlton forward as he tried to collect the dropping centre by Summers that went over his hands into the net in the last minute.
The pitch was invaded, mostly by small boys, and police had to clear it before the last few seconds of this fabulous match could be played.
Rumbustious
Yes, fabulous it was. Fantastic, incredible, amazing -
It was rumbustious, dynamic fare, and it stirred the blood.
Borough’s forwards were brilliant; Clough hit his most lethal form; Peacock and McLean were fetching, carrying and driving the whole time; Burbeck and Waldock were direct, dazzling wingers.
Just how many shots and headers went inches wide, or were blocked, or hit the woodwork, I can’t remember.
But it is true to say that Charlton’s goal often bore a charmed life -
Defensively, there must be a different story to tell.
Appleby made some fine saves and was, I’m told, hindered by a Charlton forward as he tried to collect the dropping centre by Summers that went over his hands into the net in the last minute.
And Charlton’s fifth goal was surely an offside job.
Thomson, too, put in a lot of whole-hearted work at centre-half but, as with all the defenders found recovery difficult in the mud.
Bilcliff and McNeil were apt to give the wingers opposing them too much scope, while both Harris and Yeoman were seen to better advantage in attack than defence.
I pinpointed that goals-against bugbear in my Talking It Over in Saturday’s “Sports2 -- written, of course, before the match.
The rearguard, I’m afraid, let Middlesbrough down, even though there were extenuating circumstances.
Worth the trip!
Still, London will remember this blistering battle when individual names have been forgotten.
It’s not often a Soccer spectator is treated to a round dozen goals, evenly divided between the teams, and the pity of it was that the weather -- and the fact that Charlton was the venue -- kept the attendance down to 10,064.
Those Charlton fans who stayed away will be kicking themselves; those few hardy souls who made the trip through from Tees-side must have considered their journey very, very worth while.
Some of these days, Borough are going to spring one of these thrillers at Ayresome Park!
Scorers: Charlton: Werge (13 minutes). Edwards (21, 43 and 69), Leary (28), Summers (89). Middlesbrough: Clough (15, 30 and 62), Burbeck (17 and 49), McLean (29).
Thomson, too, put in a lot of whole-
I pinpointed that goals-
Worth the trip!
Still, London will remember this blistering battle when individual names have been forgotten.
It’s not often a Soccer spectator is treated to a round dozen goals, evenly divided between the teams, and the pity of it was that the weather -
Scorers: Charlton: Werge (13 minutes). Edwards (21, 43 and 69), Leary (28), Summers (89). Middlesbrough: Clough (15, 30 and 62), Burbeck (17 and 49), McLean (29).