Thanks to Steve Bell for Watford team, goalscorers and crowd details.
Match Reports (Courtesy Steve Bell)
Yorkshire Post: 16th February 1955
Tame finishing leads to United defeat
WATFORD 2 LEEDS UNITED 0
Leeds worked out their movements with more class and understanding than Watford in their floodlit match last night, but, during their early periods of ascendancy, they tried too often to reach the six-yard area before shooting. Watford tackled hard, ran harder and shot from long distances. Generally they had more devil in their play. Wood stood little chance with centre-forward Cook's left-foot shot, twenty-five minutes from the end, but on a clear day he probably would have saved the second goal, scored by inside-left Bowie. The Leeds attack lacked thrust, but it contained plenty of skill. Nightingale manoeuvered the ball astutely, and Williams might well have made more of his chances, especially as the opposing back, Bewley, was obviously weaker on his left foot.
Charles outstanding
Charles played splendidly at centre half. Watford spectators have never seen anyone able to combine length of heading with such accuracy. It was a pity that only 6,000 spectators were attracted to the game. Charles in this form should play at Wembley Stadium packed to its limits. Great artists like great occasions, deserve great audiences.
Watford: Bennett; Bateman, Bewley; Meadows, Shipwright, Atkinson; Brown, Catleugh, Cook, Bowie, Adams.
Leeds United: Wood; Dunn, Hair; McConnell, Charles, Kerfoot; Williams, Nightingale, Forrest, Vickers, McCall.
Daily Express: 16th February 1955
Cook seizes lone chance
Watford 2 Leeds United 0
A fine clear night, and the attraction of a £40,000 footballer John Charles. What more could Watford fans want? But this football game pulled in only 6,328 spectators. That means receipts of about £650, so when Watford have paid all expenses and given Leeds their guarantee they will be lucky to collect more than £50. Charles gave a superb display at centre-half for Leeds. His quick anticipation, perfect distribution of the ball, and confident headwork kept a lively Watford attack in check for sixty-five minutes.
Sidestepped
But even Charles the magnificent could not hold centre forward Maurice Cook all the time. Cook scored the first goal after sixty-seven minutes. George Catleugh slipped the ball into the penalty area and Cook sidestepped Charles to drive the ball home. Eleven more minutes and Cook passed to Jimmy Bowie, who cracked number two from fifteen yards.
Watford: Bennett; Bateman, Bewley; Meadows, Shipwright, Atkinson; Brown, Catleugh, Cook, Bowie, Adams.
Leeds United: Wood; Dunn, Hair; McConnell, Charles, Kerfoot; Williams, Nightingale, Forrest, Vickers, McCall.
