CITY 1 SOUTHAMPTON 5
FA Cup 3rd Round
9th January 1960
attendance 42,065
scorers
City Barlow(18)
Southampton Reeves(23, 32, 67 & 86), O’Brien(64)
Ref E Jennings
City Trautmann, Branagan, Sear, Oakes, McTavish, Barnes, Barlow, Hayes, McAdams, Fagan, Colbridge
Southampton Charles, Davies, Traynor, Connor, Page, Huxford, Paine, O’Brien, Reeves, Mulgrew, Sydenham
Saints were in the Third Division (South) and few people gave them any chance of snatching even a draw from First Division City. But the unsung visitors had other ideas.
Derek Reeves, Saints slick little 24 year old centre-forward was a four goal hero, but Terry Paine was the tormentor-in-chief to City’s defence. Cliff Sear had a nightmare trying to cope with the wily Paine who made three goals for Reeves and another for O’Brlen.
Paine’s outstanding performance had the critics searching for superlatives and prompted one enthusiastic writer to comment, “Young 20 year old Paine’s exceptional ball control and speed at outside-right mark him down as a bright future prospect”. How prophetic! Paine went on to win 19 caps for England and made a record number of 713 appearances for Saints.
Colin Barlow put City in front with a header when he took advantage of a defensive lapse between Charles and Page. There was little hint of the drama that was to follow.
Saints fought back and Reeves scored the equaliser after a cleverly worked short corner between Sydenham and Paine. Paine again sent the hapless Sear the wrong way and provided Reeves with a perfect pass to slot home his second goal. Then Reeves rattled the City bar just before half-time when Saints changed ends with a 2-1 lead.
City’s fans expected a second-half revival, but they were shocked as Saints went from strength to strength. Paine again tore the City defence apart and teed up chances for O’Brien to score and later for Reeves to complete his hat-trick.
Just before the end, cock-a-hoop Reeves, completed the scoring with his fourth goal when he converted a pass from Sydenham.
AN ARTICLE PUBLISHED IN THE CITY PROGRAMME 8TH SEPTEMBER 1979
Blue to the end. My first ever game as a 9-year-old spectator a shocking result but I remained a Blue and still attend as a season ticket holder.
My first game too as a 9 year old. I will never forget the atmosphere.
I have loved the Blues all my life!!
I remember. I was Eleven. When The Saints Go Marching In echoed around a stunned Maine Road.
My first game as a 9 year old as well,you’d think it would have put us off.
I was at that game,travelled from Southampton. Saints were FANtastic.Stayed in Burnley over night. Visited local social club,Never paid for a drink all night. Locals were extatic tat we beat City.