With Burnden Park packed to the rafters the crowd were at fever pitch and a deafening roar greeted the players when they took to the field. It was plain to see from the kick-off which side wanted to win the most. The Wanderers were a revelation with front runners Roy Greaves and john Byrom working superbly with Garry Jones up front. The midfield with lan Seddon, Peter Nicholson and Alan Waldron pounced like tigers every time City threatened.
John Hulme and Warwick Rimmer, who, in fact only just made the team, as he was caught in a traffic jam and ran to the ground with seconds to spare before the team sheet was handed to the referee, hardly the way to prepare for an important Cup tie but it made no difference as they were both brilliant in defence.
Big John Hulme made ex-Wanderers folk hero,Wyn Davies look like a novice in the air and Rimmer picked up another Burnden legend, Franny Lee without fail whenever the England man was looking dangerous. John Ritson and Henry Mowbray snuffed out anything from the wings that Mike Summerbee and ex-Wanderer, Freddie Hill could conjure up.
The Wanderers took the lead in the 16th minute when Waldron floated the ball across from the right and Jones out-jumped the City defence to get the faintest of touches with his head and sent the ball past the out-stretched Joe Corrigan. After a half time dressing room lecture by the Blues flamboyant Manager, Malcolm Allison had spurred them into action, City tried to pressure the Bolton defence into making mistakes. A Summerbee corner eluded Charlie Wright and Davies lobbed the ball back across the face of the goal but Seddon was on hand to head it to safety.
As time went on the men from Maine Road faded away completely,Alan Waldron had a golden opportunity to put Bolton two up but fired against the side netting. Then in 65th minute came the reward the Wanderers deserved for all their poise and endeavour. Roy Greaves knocked the ball forward and Garry Jones raced clear catching the City defence very square. Corrigan advanced and although he managed to touch Jones’ lob the ball bounced over the line for the Wanderers 2nd goal.
The final nail was hammered into City`s coffin when in the 79th minute, Waldron was brought down by City’s left back,Willie Donachie. It resulted in Garry Jones stepping up and sending Corrigan the wrong way from the spot. Jones was the hat-trick hero but every Bolton player gave a solid team performance. The First Division side which in recent seasons had won domestic and European honours made no impression on the Burnden boys.
… The night of glory against City had restored many tattered memories of Cup displays of the past for the Burnden crowd. FROM AN ARTICLE IN THE BOLTON PROGRAMME
I remember that night I was 13 and it was the first game my dad took me too what a night 3 goals for Jones and to beat city great memories a bwfc fan since good and bad times
I also remember that night. Went alone after begging my mum and dad. Could not believe the size of the crowd after what I had been used to. Best night, ahead even, of Wanderers beating Arsenal in the cup at Highbury 3-2. Jones and Byrom- what a combo!
This was my very first Bolton Match.I was 12 yrs old and my uncle and cousins from Rochdale who were all City fans surprised me and took me to the match and I was on the embankment with all the City fans(and fireworks).I think my uncle thought I would support City but he hadn’t counted on a Gary Jones hat trick.I’ve supported the super Whites ever since and have been a season ticket holder from way back in the Burnden days.Once in never out.COYWM
My first taste of a giant killing. I was 12 and had been watching the Wanderers since the age of 6. I was packed into the Manchester Road terrace with a school pal. I can still see Gary Jones rising above all on the edge of the penalty area and scoring a great headed goal. The game cemented my love affair with Bolton.
remember not knowing who support with franny lee being a cowyead westhoughton but that night wanderer through and through was 12yr old at time now 66yr old still wanderers mad