WEST HAM UNITED 0 CITY 0
League Division 1
14th December 1974
attendance 33,908
ref Mr J Hunting
City MacRae, Hammond, Donachie, Henson, Doyle, Oakes, Horswill, Bell, Marsh, Hartford, Tueart – sub Daniels(17)
West Ham Day, Coleman, Lampard, Bond, Taylor, Lock, Jennings, Paddon, Gould, Brooking, Robson – sub McDowell(70)
PETER GARDNER’S ‘VERDICT’ FROM THE MANCHESTER EVENING NEWS FOOTBALL PINK FINAL
Battling City staged a magnificent back-to-the-wall performance against a powerful young West Ham side at Upton Park.
Under pressure for most of an enthralling game, the Blues soaked up most of the punishment, with Geoff Hammond in particular having a storming as a stand in centre half for a dazed Mike Doyle who went off after quarter of an hour.
It was a commendable performance all-round by the Blues, as they fought to improve that depressing away record.
Yet the Hammers did not have it all their own way. Substitute Barney Daniels twice went near with efforts that brought the best from young England goalkeeper Mervyn Day.
But it was City’s Keith Macrae who stole the goalkeeping spotlight with some superb saves. Mike Horswill also made the most of his comeback, with a sterling performance as make-shift right back.