SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY 1 CITY 1
League Division 1
2nd December 1967
attendance 38,207
scorers
City Oakes(46)
Wednesday Fantham
Ref Jack Taylor
City Mulhearn, Book, Pardoe, Doyle, Heslop, Oakes, Lee, Bell, Summerbee, Young, Coleman – sub Bowles(unused)
Wednesday Springett, Smith, Megson, Mobley, Ellis, Young, Whitham, Fantham, Ritchie, McCalliog, Eustace
ALAN OAKES SCORES FOR THE BLUES
FROM THE PRESS BOX
Manchester City failed by the proverbial cat’s whisker to be the first team to defeat Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough since Nottingham Forest were there on March 25. The result was a draw 1-1, and Wednesday now have had a home run of 18 Football League and League Cup games without being beaten.
Saturday’s match was breathing its last when City carelessIy lost possession of the ball in Wednesday’s penalty area. Gerry Young posted it to the far end where Oakes and Heslop faltered for the only time. Fantham did all that was required of him with a fine shot from 15 yards, and if he did first bring the ball under control with a hand. City offered no apparent protests. After all, a share of the spoils at Hillsborough was no negligible reward.
City nevertheless deserved same sort of punishment or frustration, and to say so ls not to he cruel. They were the better team: and possessed of superior ldeas. Yet they were as compassionate as they had been a week earlier when they demoralised Burnley for an hour at a stretch. On Saturday they varied the medicine by issuing the doses at irregular intervals. Twice at least Wednesday were allowed to dispense medicine of their own. And by the look on City’s faces it tasted horrible.
All of which is by way of being quiet hint to City not to relax, especially these days when the quality of their play ls winning respect and admiration everywhere. An early injury to Summerbee who spent most of the second half on the right wing, might have slowed down one of the fastest. fittest attacks in the land. but it was the occasional mental not physical deceleration that caused the misgivings.
City nevertheless are going places. It is gratifying to hear the almost awed comments of rival supporters when the City attack sweeps into combined action, Neil Young and Coleman dld most of the unsettling on Saturday and when the defence covers and tackles with an attitude almost of pity. Heslop. Doyle, and Oakes were outstanding against Wednesday, and Mulhearri made sorne extremely plucky saves when City were on the receiving end.
Wednesday, albeit with City’s connivance, deserved credit for their counter attacks although only Whitham. a comparative newcomer, approached consistency among their forwards. Ritchie scorned some easy chances of‘ scoring, McCalliog and Fantham impressed in rmdlleld and nowhere else, and Eustace‘s function defied understanding. Someone said that he was a linkman but so strong and misdirected were most of his passes that they would have been of value only if his colleagues had been playing in a field half a mile up the road. Eustace is far too talented a player to be wasted in a job he may understand but evidently does not enjoy.
Wednesdays defenders, having survived some early salvoes, won considerable distinction. Only Oakes equalled Mobley‘s output, Gerry Young throve on frustration, Megson looked what he is, a most accomplished performer and captain, and Springett’s save from Lee in the first half was the highlight of hls admirable display. All told, a highly satisfying game marred only by the morons on the popular side who have caught the top half of the foot-and-mouth disease.
City’s goal arrived in the forty sixth minute. Oakes to Nell Young, Young to Oakes, who darted into the Wednesday penalty area, by- passed two defenders, and then with his left foot drove the ball magnificently Into the roof of the net Wednesday’s supporters joined generously ln the applause the like of which City, bless ‘em, should hear many more tlmes in the months ahead.
ERIC TODD WRITING IN THE GUARDIAN 4TH DECEMBER 1967
