Leeds took a 1-0 lead to the half-time break after Captain Tommy Burden had given them the lead in the seventeenth minute. This was quickly turned around by the visitors very early in the second half, when Thomas Anderson scored in the first minute and two minutes later Jackie Neilson gave them the lead. It looked as though the Scottish team would take a win back home with them, but the wily old fox, Raich Carter showed he still had what it takes when he scored in the eightieth minute to bring his team level. It was not the first time he had put his boots on in floodlight friendlies, since becoming non-playing Manager of the club, but it was Bob Forrest, who had come on as a substitute for John Charles at Centre-Forward, that scored the winner in the eighty-eighth minute. (St Mirren team, crowd and times of goals courtesy of Steve Bell)
Match Report: Yorkshire Evening Post: 22nd February 1954: Courtesy Steve Bell
Merrick saved Birmingham.
Leeds United late equaliser.
By LYNDON ARMITAGE
LEEDS U 1 BIRMINGHAM C 1
Half a loaf is better than none. Leeds United snatched the half - and a point - from Birmingham in the last minute through a free-kick taken by Burden and deflected into the goal by Nightingale's heel. Birmingham had Merrick, their international goalkeeper, and full-backs Hall and Green to thank for their point. Merrick made incredible saves from Charles, Iggleden and Nightingale, and the backs in turn kicked certain scores off the goal line and made desperation clearances. Some of the saves were lucky, but the strategical positioning of Hall and Green on either side of Merrick proved a sound defensive plan.
Birmingham's approach work was good, but their forwards nowhere near as dangerous as the Leeds line in front of goal. United's wingers, McCall and Williams (playing on the left) were a constant worry to the Birmingham defence, and Charles would have been much nearer that Jennings record had Merrick not been in such devastating form. Although United attacked for three parts of the time, Birmingham scored after twenty-five minutes through Rowley, their most dangerous forward. After a game full of thrills, the 22,000 spectators must have left wondering how on earth Birmingham had managed to take away a point.
Nightingale to miss floodlight game
Nightingale the Leeds United inside-right, strained a groin in the game with Birmingham on Saturday, and will be out of the side to meet St. Mirren, the Scottish League Division "A" club, under floodlights at Elland Road tonight (kick-off 7.30). St Mirren are expected to include Telfer, their Scotland centre half, and Crabtree, who is a native of Bradford, in goal.
Match Report: Yorkshire Post: 23rd February 1954: Courtesy Steve Bell
Charles hurt in floodlight game
Forrest goal gives United victory
By LYNDON ARMITAGE
LEEDS UNITED 3 ST MIRREN 2
Five minutes after half-time in the floodlit game between Leeds United and St Mirren, the Scottish League Division A side, at Elland Road last night, John Charles, United's Welsh International centre-forward, had to leave the field with a cut on the right eyelid. Charles had to have two stitches and a clip inserted and did not come back on to the field, Forrest turning out as his substitute. Charles and Telfer the St Mirren and Scotland centre-half, jumped for a high centre and their heads collided. Telfer also had to leave the field for attention, but returned after five minutes.
The winner
Forrest proved an able deputy and scored the winning goal a minute before time. And a nicely taken goal it was, the ball travelling practically the length of the field. From a clearance by Hair, Carter, United's manager playing at inside-right, passed to McCall on the right wing, who returned it to Carter who pushed it on to Forrest. The centre-forward beat Park with a low shot. United took the lead after seventeen minutes with a goal by Burden, who moved up to a Williams centre and cracked it past Park. Charles was allowed very little room by Telfer, a great centre half, who contrived to get in the way of just about every ball that came into the middle. After a quiet first half the game suddenly sprang to life with two goals in three minutes by Anderson, the St. Mirren right-winger and Neilson, the right half, who played a sound game throughout.
A Carter goal
For the next twenty minutes St Mirren had the better of matters until Carter put them level. This goal, too, was well worked. Williams took the ball right across the field and slipped it to McCall. The winger found Iggleden, who promptly gave the ball to Carter. United's manager with a left foot shot gave Park no chance. Until the last ten minutes it looked as though United might lose their unbeaten floodlight record. St Mirren showed some nice touches. Stewart, their centre forward, kept Marsden on the go, but on the whole the United centre half played him very well. The illusion of the game being played faster than when played in the daylight remains, and a crowd of 10,000 once again enjoyed some thrilling football.
