SUNDERLAND 4 vs. 1 LEICESTER FOSSE
FA Cup 3rd Round, 12 January 1907, Roker Park, Sunderland
Sunderland Scorers: Bridgett 10, McIntosh 30, 89, Raine 32 - Leicester Fosse Scorer: Bannister
Referee: Mr M McQueen, Liverpool Attendance 21,336
Considering they had what appeared to be a difficult game in the 1st round of the cup Sunderland are to be complimented on their performance. The match was what is often called a typical cup tie although why it is always customary to expect roughness in such a game is beyond comprehension. In so far as the visitor’s tactics were concerned it was truly old time cup tie stuff and had the roughness not culminated in a disgraceful scene at the end it might have passed without notice.
The fact that the regrettable incident occurred just after the final whistle makes it injudicious to comment except to say that Durrant was felled and had to be carried from the field. The game attracted a crowd of 21,336. The wind was boisterous early on but dropped as the game proceeded. Leicester started in businesslike style and within a minute they had tested Ward. For fully 15 minutes they pressed in a manner that suggested they would break down the Sunderland defence.
Their forwards are to be commended for shooting so often and wasting no chances but had they played on the home full backs more their efforts might have met with more success. Most of the shots were from long range and lacked sting when they reached Ward. The Sunderland goalkeeper however had plenty of work to do stopping shots from all angles and gave his best display before a home crowd. Still he was a trifle lucky to be in the way of a tremendous drive from Bannister or perhaps a better way to put it Bannister had hard lines to shoot straight at Ward.
In the 1st half until they beat down their opponents Sunderland were continually paying short dangerous visits to the Leicester goal and it was from one of these quick raids that Bridgett beat Lewis with a beauty. This reverse did not dishearten the Leicester men and there was very little sign that it had any effect upon their temper which due to their own lack of success was set on a keen edge. This was apparent when McConnell had to put his fists up owing to the pugnacity of a Leicester forward.
The crowd were rather staggered by his aggressive attitude for if there is a man in the Sunderland side who would not take a mean advantage or intentionally foul an opponent it is McConnell. After this hard knocks were dished out by both sides but Sunderland had a more finished way of distribution. After they had taken the lead Sunderland were as keen as ever and though Leicester had 80% of the play in the 1st half Sunderland were never overshadowed in front of goal.
It was along time before the home side gained mastery over Blackett and Ashby to an extent that gave their shooting at goal any degree of success. Consequently the game had advanced considerably before Lewis had to make a save and he showed a far better grasp of the goalkeeper’s duties than when he played for Sunderland. He had no chance to stop Sunderland’s 2nd goal which was a splendid individual effort by McIntosh who got round Bannister and Ashby in brilliant fashion and made no mistake with his shot.
His display was the best seen at centre forward for Sunderland this season. Two minutes later Lewis pushed out a hot shot from Gemmell but unfortunately for him straight to Raine. He made no mistake flashing the ball into the net between Lewis and the post. From here until halftime Sunderland had the upper hand. Compared to the scintillating display given by both sides in the 1st half the 2nd half was only mediocre. Leicester did not have the same inclination to shoot as had marked their play in the 1st half.
When they did try for goal they made what could only be described as miserable attempts. Durrant should have scored early on. Had he put as much energy into the opening created by Hubbard as he did into his charge on Ward he would surely have done so. Bannister scored Leicester’s goal with a long shot and although Ward went full length he could not keep it out. Shortly afterwards Leicester appealed for a penalty but the referee gave a free kick on the edge of the penalty area.
Leicester stuck in with commendable pluck and fine efforts from Hubbard and Middleton went for nothing. When they did send the ball across the goalmouth the inrushing forwards seemed more concerned playing man rather than the ball. Tait had the misfortune to cut his forehead in a collision with McGhie but resumed after having the wound stitched. After several opportunities had been missed McIntosh took a pass from Tait and scored Sunderland’s 4th goal right on time to end a rather curious game.
Had Leicester shot anything like their goal record in the 2nd division suggests Sunderland might have had a lot more trouble in reaching the next round.
Sunderland: Ward, Rhodes, Watson, Tait, McGhie, McConnell, Raine, Holley, McIntosh, Gemmell, Bridgett
Leicester Fosse: Lewis, Ashby, Blackett, Pollock, Bannister, Trueman, Durrant, Shanks, Wilcox, Hubbard, Middleton
Here are a couple of photographs from te game that give you an ideas of what Roker Park looked like in those days.
An action shot from the game.
Sunderland are led out onto the field of play by the captain.
As a postscript to this match Leicester Fosse, who would become Leicester City, were subsequently promoted in 1907/08 having finished runners up in the old second division. The above was produced to commemorate the event. Alas they only lasted one season and along the way to relegation managed to be trounced 0 v 12 by Nottingham Forest, the club’s record defeat. Sunderland of course played Leicester Fosse in the 1908/09 season winning 3 v 1 at Roker Park but succumbing to defeat 3 v 4 in the Midlands. Below is a postcard of the ground that Sunderland will have played at that day.
