Match Report: Yorkshire Evening Post: 7th May 1951: Courtesy Steve Bell
Leeds Utd. and Bradford City delay choice
By Phil Brown
Leeds United and Bradford City meet at Elland Road tonight (6.45) in their replayed West Riding Senior Cup semi-final, drawn 2-2 at Valley Parade last week. The winners, on their own ground, entertain Bradford Park Avenue on Saturday in the final.
Bradford City are bringing the side which drew its last League match at Chester on Saturday with the addition of inside-forward Carr, who has recovered from injury. United have John Charles back, this time at inside-right, both their regular inside-forwards, Iggleden and Stevenson, being unfit after Saturday's game at Swansea. Iggleden has a cut eye and a bruised knee, and Stevenson a wrenched back. Williams has a cold, too, so United will not choose their team until kick-off and may have Tommy Burden at inside-left to Hughes, or Williams, if fit.
Teams from:-
LEEDS UNITED:- Searson; Dunn, Milburn; McCabe, Kirk, Kerfoot or Burden; Harrison, Charles, Browning, Burden, Williams, Hughes.
BRADFORD CITY:- Hyde; Whyte, Coupland; Williamson, Conroy, McGill; McCulloch, Millar, Carr, Connor, Gray, Kendall.
The referee will be the well-known Mr A. E. Ellis of Halifax.
Match Report: Yorkshire Post: 8th May 1951: Courtesy Steve Bell
United had a hard struggle
LEEDS UTD. 2 BRADFORD CITY 1
Before Leeds United qualified for the the West Riding Senior Cup final they were made to fight by Bradford City in a gruelling semi-final replay at Elland Road. United will now meet Bradford in the final on the same ground on Saturday (3.00). With the inspiration of a goal by Connor twenty-five minutes from time City got well on top but could not find a second way through the defence. Most of the thrills for the 12,000 spectators came in the hectic closing period when Kirk, Dunn and Milburn were Leeds heroes in defence. The main difference between the sides was in markmanship. Even with all three inside forwards, Browning, Charles and Hughes, playing out of position, United were more dangerous at close quarters. Both goals by Charles (33 minutes) and Williams (57 minutes) were well taken when the City defence faltered. In contrast three Bradford attackers failed in turn to find an empty net in a second half scramble, and earlier Williamson shot over the bar from a penalty for hands. Outstanding in a typical cup-tie were the centre-halves Kirk (Leeds) and Conroy (Bradford). Conroy subdued Charles and Browning, who each had spells as United's leader.
Match Report: Yorkshire Evening Post: 8th May 1951: Courtesy Steve Bell
TUESDAY VERDICT
UNITED SWITCH NOT A SUCCESS
Leeds United qualified for the final of the West Riding Senior Cup - they meet Bradford at Elland Road on Saturday - But Bradford City made a fight of it to the last ditch before they went down 2-1. Although robust endeavour was always more in evidence than skilful football there were thrills galore for the 12,000 spectators who seemed to enjoy the change from the recent end-of-the-season League games. United's latest effort to patch up forward problems - Charles and Browning playing alternately centre-forward and inside-right - was a dire failure. Who ever went into the middle came under the iron grip of Conroy, both were too slow to be effective at inside and United's best forward was Hughes.
