FORTY YEARS AGO TODAY...
The Times Tuesday 6 April 1965
Replacements refreshing to Leeds
Leeds United 3 Stoke City 1
Leeds United gave further convincing proof that their chance of joining the select few to have achieved the League and Cup double is a real one. This win puts them back on top of the First Division and the fact that they are already at employ did not consciously affect their play.
Leeds, in the first half particularly, were barely recognisable as the tired looking side who had struggled to beat West Ham 48 hours earlier. They were without Hunter, feeling the effects of a knock in that game, and they rested Storrie and Cooper, but their replacements brought a refreshing lease of life to the Leeds play which was full of exciting, attacking moves.
Weston has not had the best of luck this season, being out of action for a long period with a stomach injury and not being able to command a regular place when fit again because of the consistency of Storrie. In this occasion, everything came off for him and he allied deadly shooting power to his undoubted speed off the mark. If only he could retain this consistency he would be assured of a permanent place.
Another talented Leeds reserve, Greenhoff, also filled the bill admirably. Some of his delicately placed passes show him to be a young man with the right approach and his youth and speed enable him to cover a lot of the no man's land territory.
The irrepressible Collins, however, was behind the first two goals. In the eleventh minute he floated the ball through the middle and Weston, showing a fines sense of anticipation, raced through and crashed the ball past Leslie. After 24 minutes Bremner was unceremoniously crashed to the ground. Collins took the free kick and chipped the ball towards the right hand post. Weston again dashed through and shot in.
A minute later it was 3-0. Greenhoff, having had one shot pushed out, would not be denied and scored off the rebound from 15 yards. It was too much for Stoke, who looked slow on the turn. McIlroy and Vernon, bringing all their experience to bear at times, strove to get Stoke on the move.
To end a disastrous half for them Steers, their captain, was carried off with a knee injury and although he limped back with his right knee heavily bandaged, it was at centre-forward that he finished the game.
Not surprisingly Leeds, with a comfortable lead, relaxed, and apart from the odd burst by Weston, they never looked as menacing as in the opening half hour. Stoke's collection of highly priced individuals were disjointed and Setters showed them how it should be done by swinging his left leg to connect with a pass from Burrows four minutes from the end.
Leeds United: Sprake, Reaney, Bell, Bremner, Charlton, Greenhoff, Johnson, Weston, Peacock, Collins, Giles
Stoke City: Leslie, Asprey, Allen, Skeels, Kinnell, Setters, Palmer, McIlroy, Ritchie, Vernon, Burrows
Referee: F M Nicholson (Manchester)
The Times Tuesday 6 April 1965
Replacements refreshing to Leeds
Leeds United 3 Stoke City 1
Leeds United gave further convincing proof that their chance of joining the select few to have achieved the League and Cup double is a real one. This win puts them back on top of the First Division and the fact that they are already at employ did not consciously affect their play.
Leeds, in the first half particularly, were barely recognisable as the tired looking side who had struggled to beat West Ham 48 hours earlier. They were without Hunter, feeling the effects of a knock in that game, and they rested Storrie and Cooper, but their replacements brought a refreshing lease of life to the Leeds play which was full of exciting, attacking moves.
Weston has not had the best of luck this season, being out of action for a long period with a stomach injury and not being able to command a regular place when fit again because of the consistency of Storrie. In this occasion, everything came off for him and he allied deadly shooting power to his undoubted speed off the mark. If only he could retain this consistency he would be assured of a permanent place.
Another talented Leeds reserve, Greenhoff, also filled the bill admirably. Some of his delicately placed passes show him to be a young man with the right approach and his youth and speed enable him to cover a lot of the no man's land territory.
The irrepressible Collins, however, was behind the first two goals. In the eleventh minute he floated the ball through the middle and Weston, showing a fines sense of anticipation, raced through and crashed the ball past Leslie. After 24 minutes Bremner was unceremoniously crashed to the ground. Collins took the free kick and chipped the ball towards the right hand post. Weston again dashed through and shot in.
A minute later it was 3-0. Greenhoff, having had one shot pushed out, would not be denied and scored off the rebound from 15 yards. It was too much for Stoke, who looked slow on the turn. McIlroy and Vernon, bringing all their experience to bear at times, strove to get Stoke on the move.
To end a disastrous half for them Steers, their captain, was carried off with a knee injury and although he limped back with his right knee heavily bandaged, it was at centre-forward that he finished the game.
Not surprisingly Leeds, with a comfortable lead, relaxed, and apart from the odd burst by Weston, they never looked as menacing as in the opening half hour. Stoke's collection of highly priced individuals were disjointed and Setters showed them how it should be done by swinging his left leg to connect with a pass from Burrows four minutes from the end.
Leeds United: Sprake, Reaney, Bell, Bremner, Charlton, Greenhoff, Johnson, Weston, Peacock, Collins, Giles
Stoke City: Leslie, Asprey, Allen, Skeels, Kinnell, Setters, Palmer, McIlroy, Ritchie, Vernon, Burrows
Referee: F M Nicholson (Manchester)
