For those seeking last-minute gift ideas, the 23 December 1950 edition of The Football Echo carried adverts for sporting equipment from Binns and mouth organs from Bergs of Crowtree Road, but the majority of readers were focused on the mood of Sunderland’s favourite cartoon character — and thankfully for them, the “Footy Echo Man” was in high spirits on the back of an encouraging win!
With a string of poor performances feeding into an eye-catching but ultimately disappointing 6-5 defeat at Derby County
last time out, Christmas cheer had been in short supply on Wearside.
However, with the Lads having now been able to see off Liverpool, the late edition was able to go with a promising headline of “Turn of the Tide at Roker?”
Below that was our jolly casey and a breakdown of results across the land, plus a Division One table that was a little more hopeful now that Sunderland had edged up a couple of places from nineteenth to seventeenth.
On the back page, meanwhile, were Argus’ initial observations of the home win over the Merseysiders, which although deserved was — according to the subheading — the result of only “spasmodic” attacking play. This however was still the most cohesive showing of recent weeks, breaking a dismal run of six matches without a victory, and “fought for all the way”.
Bill Murray’s team — minus injured pair Len Shackleton and Ivor Broadis — were seemingly hindered by their deficiencies from time to time, but Tommy Wright and Tommy McLain’s quick movement of the ball proved crucial and after scoring early, the feeling was that Sunderland were more confident than they’d been of late.
The opener came within five minutes when Harry Kirtley crossed to the far post for Willie Watson (or, as he was referred to in the report, “Billy”), who chested the ball down smartly and fired in with his right foot. Seconds later, Trevor Ford went close when he flashed a shot across goal and whilst the visitors did pull themselves level it was clear that something had clicked mentally with the hosts.
The equaliser came when Jack Balmer was able to react quickly to a difficult save and send the ball straight back past Jonny Mapson, but Sunderland looked more resilient than they had for a long time and were soon back on the front foot.
Although physical, the rest of the half was played to a high standard, and on another day, the Rokerites could’ve easily retaken the lead given the number of openings they carved out, and whilst the second half appeared at first as if it was going to be scrappier, the levels soon lifted once more.
Sunderland’s final touch eluded them for a period and it needed a near miss from Dickie Davis to remind them the game was there for the taking.
His shot took a flick off Bill Jones and from some angles looked like it had crossed the line before goalkeeper Russell Crossley was able to reach it, but the linesman, in an ideal position to judge, wasn’t convinced and so for the time being, the score remained 1-1.
Whilst most people accepted the call a more controversial decision followed when Davis was shoved in the box but not awarded a penalty.
His response, however, was perfect, for when Ford won and took a corner seconds after the incident, he was composed enough to meet the ball and place an accurate shot beyond two defenders that were standing on the line. Ahead again, the Lads enjoyed being in control and when Liverpool did try to increase the nerves, Mapson was solid enough that the supporters were able to leave at full time in a brighter mood.
The adults amongst them must’ve already sorted their shopping, given that they were free on the final Saturday before Christmas, whilst the youngsters could now enjoy the build up to the big day with even more zeal — as well as possibly looking forward to unwrapping one of Binns’ highly prized football accessories forty eight hours later…
Saturday 23 December 1950
Football League Division One
Roker Park
Attendance: 30,150
Sunderland 2 (Watson 3’, Davis 70’)
Liverpool (Balmer 12’)
Sunderland: Mapson, Hedley, Hudgell; McLain, Walsh, A Wright; T Wright, Kirtley, Ford; Davis, Watson
