Around 3,000 spectators turned up to the replayed final of the Birmingham Senior Cup at the Windmill Ground in May 1951. They were not to be disappointed. Lockheed Leamington beat Hereford United to bring the Senior Cup to the area for the first time with a 3-1 victory. ‘At one time Lockheed Leamington held a three goal lead, after Hugh Morrow had been pushed from behind while in front of an open goal and Freddie Keeble scored from a penalty.’
‘It was a surprising state of affairs for Hereford United never deserved to be losing by such a margin. However, within minutes of conceding their third goal, they attacked with renewed vigour, and scored through Bowen. Following their success, Hereford attacked strongly, but their attempts to put the ball into the home net proved fruitless. Latham and his team were quicker on the ball and tackled well. Four minutes from time Dobbs saved a certain goal, when, with Spencer beaten, he managed in some miraculous manner to head the ball over the bar as he was falling backwards into the net.’
‘The game opened with Lockheed Leamington on the attack but clever, cool defensive work held them at bay. In the 14th minute Soden surprised everyone, including the Hereford United goalkeeper, with a looping left-foot shot, and the ball hit an upright and ran across the goalmouth. Although the Lockheed attacks were less frequent than that of the visitors, they always appeared the more dangerous.’
‘A grand move with the ball passing from Gardner on to Soden, Morrow and French, provided the latter with a good scoring opportunity, but he delayed his shot. In the 35th minute French made amends. Hereford were on the attack and their right winger Bowen missed an easy chance to place the visitors ahead. A tame shot was cleared and Morrow chased the loose ball, and forced a corner which was taken by Gardner. The ball passed over the heads of a crowd of players to French, who hesitated slightly before lobbing the ball under the Hereford United bar. The goalkeeper would undoubtedly have flicked the ball away had Soden not harassed him. The Brakes held the lead until the interval, and they did not rest on their laurels. Although cornered by the flag post, Frank Gardner tricked his man and with a superb left foot centre dropped the ball precariously in the Hereford goalmouth, but the chance was not accepted.’
‘In the 58th minute Hugh Morrow, Lockheed Leamington’s best forward, scored with a hard shot. Accepting the ball from Soden, without the delay that characterised the Hereford team, he kicked the ball hard and low from 20 yards out, without giving the goalkeeper any chances to save. Frank Keeble was the best Leamington defender. He always tried to use the ball, especially in heading, and did remarkably good work in breaking up many right flank moves. The visiting centre forward Thompson, who formerly played for Sheffield United, displayed some clever footwork. In one dazzling 30 yard run he made a fine opening, but Williams missed an easy chance.’
‘Hereford United were more scientific, but their skill and artistry was too elaborate, and Lockheed adopted more direct methods which produced goals.’
This originally appeared in the programme for the semi-final against Walsall, but that had a fairly low attendance, so many may not have seen it.
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