14-05-51: FC Haarlem (h) 2-0 (HT 1-0) Crowd (9,362)

Referee: Fred Walton, (Goole).

Match Report: Yorkshire Evening Post: 14th May 1951: Courtesy Steve Bell

Dutch XI Test Leeds United

By TOM HOLLEY

LEEDS UNITED: Scott; Ross, Hair; Kerfoot, Charles, Burden; Harrison, Miller, Browning, Hughes, Williams.

F.C. HAARLEM: Snijders; van Gool, Odenthal; van Duln, de Voogd, Barends; v.d. Linden, Meertens, Roozens, Boeree, Groenveld.

Referee: Mr F. Walton (Goole).

Hit by injuries and their recent heavy programme Leeds United fielded a much-changed team for their second Festival game against Haarlem, Dutch Division 1 West champions, today. The Dutch side, which included nine players who had won representative honours, presented a colourful appearance in red shorts and dark blue shirts. Only 7,000 spectators, including players of Rapid, the Viennese club who drew with United in their first Festival game last week, saw the start.

When United kicked off Charles was early prominent with nice constructive work, but the United forwards found De Voogd, the 6ft Dutch centre-half, a barrier. United's goal had an escape when Charles dallied on his goal-line, and Scott was fortunate to be in position to save from Groenveld, the Dutch outside-left. United, however, were doing more of the attacking, and after Burden had received attention for the blow in the face, Hughes went close with a long range effort and Williams popping up at outside-right, brought Snijders into action in a full-length dive. Roozen, the Dutch centre-forward, volleyed inches wide from a pass by van Duin, and later brought Scott into action again from a narrow angle.

Match Report: Yorkshire Post: 15th May 1951: Courtesy Steve Bell

Bradford and United win Festival games.

About 15,000 people, saw Leeds United gain a comfortable 2-0 win over Haarlem (Holland), Miller scoring in the first half and Harrison adding the second after the interval. United with better finishing might have won more easily, for several chances were missed. Little was seen of the Dutch team's attack, for the United defence was well up to standard, with Charles dominant in the middle of the field, and Haarlem were handicapped because inside-right Meertens was hurt and had to go on the wing.

Charles for Wales

United leave today for their tour of Ireland, the party being without John Charles, who has National Service duties to fulfill and who is to play for Wales against Switzerland at Wrexham tomorrow. This match may be an important one in Charles' career. It was at Wrexham at the end of last season that he first played for Wales in international football, but, failing to maintain his club form, he had a poor game against Ireland and has not since been selected by the Welsh F.A. He is given another chance because Daniel, the Arsenal centre-half, is wanted by his club to take part in their continental tour. If Charles plays his normal type of game he may become a regular member of the Welsh defence.

Match Report: Yorkshire Evening Post: 15th May 1951: Courtesy Steve Bell

TUESDAY VERDICT

Easy win for Leeds United

Leeds United's much-changed team were comfortable winners over the Dutch side F.C. Haarlem in a game which, thanks to a sensible interpretation of discretionary powers by the referee, Mr Fred Walton, of Goole, was contested in a real Festival spirit (writes TOM HOLLEY)

The Dutchmen, playing the orthodox third-back game, had a towering and capable centre-half in De Voogd, a lively centre-forward in Roozen and an inside-right of ability in Meertens, but because of their style of play had few problems for a depleted United team. Ross and Hair acquitted themselves well against international wingers, Scott was a capable deputy in goal, but Charles spoiled what could have been a lesson in centre-half play by hesitancy and over-elaboration in the danger area. United's forwards showed a pleasing tendency to shoot whenever the opportunity presented itself - even if a good percentage of their efforts were off the target. Pick of the line were Hughes, who has distinct possibilities at inside forward, and Williams.

Match Report: Yorkshire Post: 15th May 1951: Courtesy Steve Bell

Dutch and Austrian teams entertained.

Tankards inscribed with the Leeds United crest were presented to the players of F.C. Haarlem, Rapid (Austria) and the Leeds United team at a dinner at the Queens Hotel, Leeds, last night after a match at Elland Road between the Dutch team and Leeds United. Representatives of the Bury and Barnsley clubs were also present

Mr Sam Bolton, Leeds United Chairman, said although Britain was the birthplace of football, the visitors had given our players in the Festival matches a lot to think about. Doctor Josef Schwartzl, Vienna, was loudly cheered when he said that his small country, although in a difficult position, would always be among the free nations of Europe. The Haarlem chairman, Mr J.B. van Balen Blanken, said the Dutch would never forget Britain's kindness to them during the war.

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