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Rovers Historic Run to the FA Cup 6th Round - 1950-51
written by Gerry Prewett
Round 1.
Bristol Rovers v Llanelli. 1-1.
Replay. Llanelli v Bristol Rovers. 1-1.
2nd Replay. Bristol Rovers v Llanelli at Ninian Park 3-1.
Bristol Rovers v Llanelli. 1-1.
Replay. Llanelli v Bristol Rovers. 1-1.
2nd Replay. Bristol Rovers v Llanelli at Ninian Park 3-1.
Rovers’ journey began with a home game against Welsh League team Llanelli on 25 November 1950. Having gone out of the competition in the First Round in the previous two seasons surely the Pirates would see off their Welsh opposition. The 16,594 Eastville crowd would have been relieved that a George Petherbridge goal secured a 1-1 draw and saved the embarrassment of going out at the first time of asking again. The trip to South Wales, three days later, produced the same result before a 12,943 attendance with Bryan Bush being on target for Rovers. A third game at the neutral Ninian Park in Cardiff eventually saw Rovers prevail 3-1, Jackie Pitt, George Petherbridge and Geoff Bradford being Rovers’ scorers.
Geoff Bradford later admitted that he engaged in some gamesmanship in scoring his goal. Rovers had been awarded a free kick near the Llanelli goal. Bill Roost lined up to take a shot on goal, but Bradford remonstrated with the Referee that the Welsh wall was not back the requisite 10 yards. In the kerfuffle that followed Roost slipped the ball to Bradford who promptly scored. No VAR in those days!
Geoff Bradford later admitted that he engaged in some gamesmanship in scoring his goal. Rovers had been awarded a free kick near the Llanelli goal. Bill Roost lined up to take a shot on goal, but Bradford remonstrated with the Referee that the Welsh wall was not back the requisite 10 yards. In the kerfuffle that followed Roost slipped the ball to Bradford who promptly scored. No VAR in those days!
Round 2.
Bristol Rovers v Gillingham. 2-2
Replay. Gillingham v Bristol Rovers. 1-1.
2nd Replay. Bristol Rovers v Gillingham at White Hart Lane. 2-1.
Bristol Rovers v Gillingham. 2-2
Replay. Gillingham v Bristol Rovers. 1-1.
2nd Replay. Bristol Rovers v Gillingham at White Hart Lane. 2-1.
Rovers reward for their victory was an easy tie at home to Gillingham, who were to finish the season two places off the bottom of Division Three (South). As it proved the Kent team were not such ‘easy beats’ and secured a 2-2 draw. The previous week the Eastville pitch had been under several feet of water as the River Frome burst its banks, it made for the traditional Eastville mud-bath. After 15 minutes the Gills were ahead after their centre-forward Thomas eased past Harry Bamford and Ray Warren to thump an unstoppable 15-yard drive past a fully stretched Bert Hoyle in Rovers’ goal. Halfway through the first half it was 1-1, in a goalmouth scramble Bryan Bush lashed the ball past Gage in the Gills’ goal.
Two minutes into the second half and Rovers were ahead, Bill Roost made a strong run to the bye-line and slipped the ball to Vic Lambden, 2-1. With nine minutes to go a Carr header found the back of the net despite a brave effort to clear by Jackie Pitt and it was another replay for Rovers.
Whereas the Eastville pitch was muddy the Priestfield surface was like a skating rink. Rovers were quick to adapt to the tricky surface and skated rings around their lowly placed opposition. Ken Gough gave Rovers 22nd minute lead, deflecting a Geoff Bradford shot past Gage in the Gillingham goal. Eight minutes before half-time a mistake by Bert Hoyle presented the ball to the Kent team’s Carr, who lobbed the ball over Rovers’ custodian to equalise. The game went into extra time with no further goals scored.
Two minutes into the second half and Rovers were ahead, Bill Roost made a strong run to the bye-line and slipped the ball to Vic Lambden, 2-1. With nine minutes to go a Carr header found the back of the net despite a brave effort to clear by Jackie Pitt and it was another replay for Rovers.
Whereas the Eastville pitch was muddy the Priestfield surface was like a skating rink. Rovers were quick to adapt to the tricky surface and skated rings around their lowly placed opposition. Ken Gough gave Rovers 22nd minute lead, deflecting a Geoff Bradford shot past Gage in the Gillingham goal. Eight minutes before half-time a mistake by Bert Hoyle presented the ball to the Kent team’s Carr, who lobbed the ball over Rovers’ custodian to equalise. The game went into extra time with no further goals scored.
A third game took place on 18 December at White Hart Lane. A hard fought first half saw the teams locked scoreless. Six minutes into the second half Bert Hoyle was beaten by 21 year-old ‘reserve’ centre forward Derek Lewis, after parrying a shot. Thirteen minutes later George Petherbridge was fouled near the bye-line and a quickly taken free kick to Geoff Bradford (the same tactic they had used at Llanelli) saw the Rovers’ marksman get the ball in off the post. As the game looked as though it was going into another session of Extra Time, a handling offence by the Gill’s Veck gave Ray Warren the opportunity to beat Gage from the spot and finally send Rovers into the Third Round after 6 games!
Round 3.
Bristol Rovers v Aldershot. 5-1.
Bristol Rovers v Aldershot. 5-1.
On 10 January Rovers had another easy looking tie as their reward, entertaining fellow 3rd Division (South) team Aldershot at Eastville. The Shots were to finish their season just 4 places higher than Gillingham but surely this tie would not go to 3 games! A Vic Lambden goal after just 8 seconds gave the Pirates confidence that they would prevail and so it proved. Lambden went on to complete a hat-trick with Bill Roost and George Petherbridge joining him to give Rovers a 5-1 victory.
Round 4.
Luton Town v Bristol Rovers. 1-2
Luton Town v Bristol Rovers. 1-2
17 days later Rovers were drawn away for the first time for a 4th Round tie against a struggling Second Division Luton Town. Kenilworth Road was packed with 26,586 in attendance the biggest ever crowd for an FA Cup match at that ground. Hatters’ left-half Charlie Watkins gave the home team an early lead beating Bert Hoyle all ends up. Vic Lambden and George Petherbridge replied for Rovers and sent their team into the 5th Round of the FA Cup for the very first time. Incidentally Bristol City were having a stellar Cup Run of their own and also reached the 5th Round (where they were to lose out to Birmingham City)
Round 5.
Bristol Rovers v Hull City. 3-0.
Bristol Rovers v Hull City. 3-0.
Rovers were pleased to be drawn at home once again in their 5th Round tie (the 4th of 5 games) where they entertained Second Division Hull City. Once again it was an Eastville mud-bath. Hull were much fancied with a side containing Raich Carter and Don Revie. As the pitch churned up Josser Watling gave the Pirates a 28th minute lead lashing the ball past Robinson in the Tigers goal.
A tenacious Rovers team driven on by Harry Bamford and Jackie Pitt kept the pressure up throughout the game. Ten minutes into the second-half Watling crashed home a controversial second goal after the ball hit the bar and dropped down just over the line. That second goal seemed to knock the stuffing out of the Humberside team and with fifteen minutes left that man Vic Lambden put the game beyond doubt with Rovers third. The 31,660 crowd were left wondering who Rovers would draw in their first ever 6th Round tie.
A tenacious Rovers team driven on by Harry Bamford and Jackie Pitt kept the pressure up throughout the game. Ten minutes into the second-half Watling crashed home a controversial second goal after the ball hit the bar and dropped down just over the line. That second goal seemed to knock the stuffing out of the Humberside team and with fifteen minutes left that man Vic Lambden put the game beyond doubt with Rovers third. The 31,660 crowd were left wondering who Rovers would draw in their first ever 6th Round tie.
Rovers’ reward was a tricky away fixture to the mighty Newcastle United at St James’ Park. Bristol was football crazy at the start of 1951. A home-grown Bristol Rovers side were going to take on the mighty Magpies on their home territory. In the build-up to the game much was made of the fact that the Rovers team was assembled at a cost of £350. Tickets were much sought after and Rovers took up their full allocation of 9,000. More than 6 special trains were run and the Police were closely monitoring the convoy of coaches and cars heading north east in the days before Motorways.
Round 6.
Newcastle United v Bristol Rovers. 0-0.
Newcastle United v Bristol Rovers. 0-0.
As it eventuated the game was somewhat of a fizzer. The crowd of 62,787 was in fine voice with “Blaydon Races” being belted out by the Geordies and for the first time “Goodnight Irene” given a lusty rendition by west country voices. Rovers were hindered by an injury to George Petherbridge but their dogged defensive display denied Newcastle any clear cut opportunities.
Round 6.
Replay. Bristol Rovers v Newcastle United. 1-3.
Replay. Bristol Rovers v Newcastle United. 1-3.
Prior to the replay on 28 February Newcastle Assistant Manager Norman Smith commented, "We cannot play any worse than we did on Saturday". When the draw for the Semi-Finals was made Rovers, seeking to become only the second Third Division side to reach the semi- finals, knew they would be meeting Wolves if victorious.
The demand for tickets had never been greater in Bristol, with estimates that there were over 100,000 people seeking the 30,000 tickets available. Scores of men and women collapsed. Many children collapsed or were injured too and they are passed back over the heads of the sea of humanity. The main queue was four-people wide and stretched for 3 miles. The tickets sold out after 90 minutes.
Rovers Manager, Bert Tann was confident that his team had it in them to win the game, "We think we were the better team at Newcastle”. His opposite number Joe Harvey was more sanguine, "We made a hash of it on Saturday, know where we slipped up and one thing is certain, when the game is over tonight, we will have given it all we have."
Eastville was once again a sea of mud and Rovers adapted better to the conditions than their illustrious opposition. With just 15 minutes on the clock Geoff Bradford lashed the ball home after a Bryan Bush centre ran loose in the Geordie’s area in front of an ecstatic Tote End crowd. “Goodnight Irene” filled the North Bristol air.
Newcastle were stung into action and were soon level, Inside-Right Ernie Taylor chanced his arm and the ball took a wicked deflection off Geoff Fox to fly past Bert Hoyle.
On 22 minutes the Northumbrians were ahead, a cross from Walker on the right evaded the Rovers defence and Crowe took the opportunity to hit the back of the net.
Within five minutes the North-Eastern team doubled their lead as ‘Wor’ Jackie Milburn a Newcastle hero and England International held off Ray Warren and placed a shot past Bert Hoyle. Rovers refused to go down without a fight and forced their First Division opposition on the back foot. The corner count was 9-0 in Rovers’ favour but the scoreboard remained at 3-1 and Rovers Cup dream was over.
The demand for tickets had never been greater in Bristol, with estimates that there were over 100,000 people seeking the 30,000 tickets available. Scores of men and women collapsed. Many children collapsed or were injured too and they are passed back over the heads of the sea of humanity. The main queue was four-people wide and stretched for 3 miles. The tickets sold out after 90 minutes.
Rovers Manager, Bert Tann was confident that his team had it in them to win the game, "We think we were the better team at Newcastle”. His opposite number Joe Harvey was more sanguine, "We made a hash of it on Saturday, know where we slipped up and one thing is certain, when the game is over tonight, we will have given it all we have."
Eastville was once again a sea of mud and Rovers adapted better to the conditions than their illustrious opposition. With just 15 minutes on the clock Geoff Bradford lashed the ball home after a Bryan Bush centre ran loose in the Geordie’s area in front of an ecstatic Tote End crowd. “Goodnight Irene” filled the North Bristol air.
Newcastle were stung into action and were soon level, Inside-Right Ernie Taylor chanced his arm and the ball took a wicked deflection off Geoff Fox to fly past Bert Hoyle.
On 22 minutes the Northumbrians were ahead, a cross from Walker on the right evaded the Rovers defence and Crowe took the opportunity to hit the back of the net.
Within five minutes the North-Eastern team doubled their lead as ‘Wor’ Jackie Milburn a Newcastle hero and England International held off Ray Warren and placed a shot past Bert Hoyle. Rovers refused to go down without a fight and forced their First Division opposition on the back foot. The corner count was 9-0 in Rovers’ favour but the scoreboard remained at 3-1 and Rovers Cup dream was over.
Geoff Bradford lashes home to give Rovers a short-lived lead against Newcastle in the 6th Round Replay at Eastville. This colourised picture does not do justice to sea of mud! Photo courtesy of Mike Jay.
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Geoff Fox diverts a shot past Bert Hoyle in the 6th Round Replay against Newcastle at Eastville.
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Bert Hoyle plunges at the feet of Ray Warren, who held off Jackie Milburn with Jackie Pitt in the background.
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Harry Bamford far left guards the goal as Bert Hoyle is challenged by Newcastle’s Mitchell for this cross.
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Maurice Granger sent us images from his scrapbook he compiled as a child at the time. See below.
St. Jame's Park.
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Back at Eastville.
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