CITY 4 WEST HAM UNITED 0
League Division 1
17th August 1974
attendance 30,240
scorers Tueart(11), Marsh(47 & 52), Doyle(78)
Ref Jack Taylor
City MacRae, Barrett, Donachie, Doyle, Clarke, Oakes, Henson, Bell, Marsh, Hartford, Tueart – sub Leman(unused)
West Ham Day, Coleman, Lampard, Bonds, Taylor, McDowell, Holland, Paddon, Gould, Brooking, Best – sub Lock(69)
A BRACE FOR RODNEY MARSH
PETER GARDNER GIVES HIS ‘VERDICT’ IN THE MANCHESTER EVENING NEWS FOOTBALL PINK FINAL
City’s slick start to the season was based on a solid foundation of sound team work at Maine Road this afternoon. Just as important was the magnificent contribution of the three newcomers, plus brilliant individual performances by established stars.
Asa Hartford, in particular, looked worth every penny of that huge fee when, after a slow start , he warmed to play a great debut. Phil Henson was almost almost as impressive, rarely putting a foot wrong, and teenager Jeff Clarke revealed immense strength at the back.
Rodney Marsh naturally stole the show with the brilliant way he took his goals, but the effort from Colin Bell and Dennis Tueart, though not quite as sophisticated, were still equally important.
Early days yet, but manager Tony Book could have found the answer to the scoring problem in these three great attacking players.
The handling of goalkeeper Keith Macrae was positive and the experienced know-how of Alan Oakes gave the back four assurance. Mike Doyle lost nothing of his consistency by switching to midfield in a side which could impress once it has had time to mould.
