West Bromwich Albion 3 - Preston North End 2

Sunday Pictorial:

CUP DEPUTY MADE ALBION VICTORY

KENNEDY SCHEMES GRIFFIN?S SENSATIONAL LATE WINNER

 - By Stan Halsey ? Sunday Pictorial May 2nd 1954

Frank Griffin?s sensational goal three minutes from the end, after Ron Allen had equalised with a penalty a hotly disputed Preston goal, made West Bromwich Albion Cup winners for the fourth time at the Wembley Final yesterday.

Preston relied too much on right winger and skipper Tom Finney and he was prevented from becoming a match-winner by Albion left back and captain Len Millard.

Millard was supported by Ray Barlow, who held back until he knew his skipper could cope. Then he moved up and transformed the attack.

The player who started the move which gave Albion the vital winning goal was Joe Kennedy.

SUPERB CLIMAX

It was a superb climax that Kennedy, last minute substitute for injured Rickaby, should have played such a sensational part in this last-ditch Albion victory.

Kennedy pressing up into attack got the ball to Ryan, who slipped it to Griffin. Kennedy was the player who wanted transfer when displaced by Jimmy Dugdale?s consistent form.

Albion were delighted with Kennedy?s effort at this critical time. He will now reconsider his request for a transfer.

Moreover, that one goal not only brought Cup victory, it justified and empathised Albion?s policy in which the full backs are rated key men in attack as well as defence.

The game was a managers? match with the accent on striving strategy rather than sensation.

It was patient, probing play, lacking the nervy thrill which Cup Final crowds usually expect from the year?s greatest Soccer show.

BIG FLARE-UP

In the twenty-first minute, however, the game flared and produced two goals in one exciting minute.

As so often happens in a Cup clash it was the luck rather than the judgment which produced Albion?s shock lead.

Right back Billy Cunningham went to clear and hit the ball hard and accurately, but Albion left winger Lee was in the way like a brick wall.

The ball rebounded from Lee?s chest. Ryan nipped in, sent the ball across the goalmouth and Ron Allen, Albion?s centre, sent the ball into the open net.

That triumph, however, lasted only half a minute. Rebounding from the ropes so to speak, Preston hit back in staggering fashion, and Tom Finney came to the rescue.

From his quiet pass, Angus Morrison headed in a spectacular equaliser.

MARSTON BREAK-UP

Australian born Preston centre half, Joe Marston, concentrated on breaking the famed tie-up between Allen and Nicholls.

It was a Marston tackle and follow-through which brought Preston a defence-stunning goal in the tenth second-half minute.

That goal will probably rank as the most hotly disputed Cup score since that famous over-the-line goal which Newcastle once scored against Arsenal.

Marston resisted a challenge and passed the ball to right half Docherty, who spotted Charlie Wayman standing in splendid isolation.

NO WHISTLE!

Albion defenders appeared to consider Wayman offside. They stood confidently expecting the referee?s whistle to save them the trouble of defence.

I think all but one Albion player stood still. I though I saw a defender move that fatal fraction which might have played Wayman on-side.

Referee Luty allowed Wayman to go on and score a smart goal. Albion protests were unheeded.

That goal inspired Barlow and a terrific clash between him and defender Tom Doherty brought Albion?s equaliser.

After the thud of impact Docherty was adjudged guilty of a foul. Referee Luty unwaveringly indicated the penalty spot.

He was right. No doubt about it. Allen scored from the penalty spot, despite Thompson?s gallant, finger-tip effort to save.

Preston officials considered an indirect free kick would have been fairer. But Docherty paid the price for gusto.

The game seemed set for extra time when three minutes from the end Albion grabbed the sensational winner.

Attendance: 100,000
Receipts: ?49,883

PLAYER QUOTES

Len Millard (Albion Captain) ?Charlie Wayman was certainly off-side when he scored that goal.?

Referee Luty upheld his own decision and that of his linesman. ?We were both sure that when the ball was passed forward to Wayman he was on-side.?

Tom Docherty (Preston right half) ?Sometimes eagerness gets a bit understood in this game.?

Frank Griffin (Albion right winger) ?When the great chance came to me my heart stopped still. It did not start again until I saw the ball hit the back of the net.?

Tom Finney (Preston captain) ?It was all very disappointing for us. Albion played well. It is just one of those things.?