Old Baggies

Saturday 22nd September 1962

Bobby Cram

A remarkable game at the Hawthorns, a ‘see-saw’ nine goal thriller, that had just about everything. Three penalties, two for Bolton and one for Albion, two hat-tricks, for Bolton’s Lee, and Derek Kevan, for the Baggies. Albion’s penalty, the final goal of the game, scored by Don Howe, settled the issue, and 18, 670 spectators, went home with a warm feeling about the entertainment served up by two of the countries premier teams.

Albion fielded the same side that had drawn with Birmingham City in the week, which meant that 19 year old Geoff Carter retained his place, for the injured Clive Clark, who had not fully recovered from a shoulder injury.

The first half, by comparison with the second period, was a tame affair. Albion opened the scoring after just 90 seconds, when Derek Kevan, latched onto a Bobby Cram pass, and placed his shot just inside the left hand post, giving Hopkinson in the Bolton goal, no chance.






Chuck Drury-Great match

A short time after, it was Cram and Kevan again, as Hopkinson could only parry, a terrific shot from Albion’s leader, and was very lucky in being able to gather the ball up before it entered the net. Hopkinson, the England ‘keeper, was certainly the busier of the two ‘custodians’, having to make three excellent saves from, Keith Smith, Ken Foggo, who was a revelation out on the right wing, and Kevan. Indeed it was Kevan, who should have increased Albion’s lead, when he got on the end of a Geoff Carter cross, but could only head wide. With only Hopkinson to beat.  Bolton made the home side pay for that miss, when they equalised, very much against the ‘run of play’ in the 38th minute. Lee,’ tapping’  the ball home, after a Holden shot had ‘cannoned’  back off the bar. That goal seemed to be the ‘wake-up’ call Albion needed, and less than two minutes later, they were ahead again.








5th January 1967-John Osborne joins the Albion-DM Hess

It was that man Bobby Cram again, whose excellent work down the flank, put Albion’s ‘man of the match’ Kenny Foggo clear, and the youngster made no mistake, to score his first senior goal for the club.

Don Howe

Unfortunately, the confidence, their half-time lead had given them, evaporated, within two minutes of  the second period. Tony Millington, in the Albion goal, dropped a shot from Holden, and vainly attempted top retrieve the ball. In the ensuing scramble, the ‘keeper was adjudged to have fouled Birch, and a penalty was somewhat ‘harshly’ awarded to the Trotters. Lee stepped up to equalise from the spot, and grab his second goal of the game.

Not to be deterred, Albion stormed back, and bombarded the Bolton goal from angles, with chances falling to Drury, Jackson and the unfortunate Kevan, who completely missed his kick in front of goal. Then after 55 minutes, the home side were once again ‘rocked back’ on their heels, when Davies converted a hill cross to put Bolton in front, for the first time in the game. Albion, however, once again, refused to let their ‘heads drop’, and came back at Bolton, even stronger, and very unlucky not to equalise, after 63 minutes. Don Howe’s powerful shot being cleared off the line by Hartle.





Don Howe- winner from the spot

The home side’s continued pressure, eventually paid off after 70 minutes, when Kevan was ‘put through’ by the persistent Drury. Although not connecting with the ball properly, his shot was powerful enough to beat Hopkinson, who fell in an effort to stop the ball entering the net. Three minutes later, the Albion ‘talisman’ struck again, to put the Baggies ahead, and complete his hat-trick. Being put through by Bobby Cram once again, Kevan’s fierce shot, hit the underside of the bar and entered the net.

Amazingly, Bolton refused to buckle, and drew level within 3 minutes of the home side taking the lead. Hill ran onto a loose ball in Albion’s area. He appeared to stumble, when challenged by wing-half Drury, and referee Mr Fussey, immediately pointed to the spot. Lee, it was who duly obliged, by stepping up to equalise, for the visitors.

Fairfax-Cram-Clarke-Williams

Once again Albion had to show what they were made of, and justice was done, just 5 minutes later, when, Kevan was sent flying in the area by Rimmer. Mr Fussey was once again, right on the spot, and awarded Albion a penalty. Master penalty taker, Don Howe stepped up and made no mistake, to put Albion in the lead yet again, and more importantly wrap up the points for the home side.

Teams: ALBION: Millington, Howe, Williams: Cram, Jones, Drury: Jackson, Foggo, Smith, Kevan, Carter.

BOLTON: Hopkinson; Hartle. Farrimond: Rimmer, Edwards, Cunliffe: Birch, Lee. Davies, Hill, Holden.

Laurie Rampling - June 2010