1961-62 South East Counties League

West Ham United

1961-62

NO Programmes issued for the HOME games played at Green Silley Weir or Chadwell Heath

PORTSMOUTH : South East Counties League

SORRY NO IMAGE

Royal Marines Ground

3 - 3 (Bennett, Ford, Wedge)

19 August 1961

Norris

Wilson

Trentham

Ford

Waddington

Howe

Bennett

Gadston

Wedge

Lillington

Dryden

For the first 20 minutes of each half the Hammers played picture:book soccer, but Pompey gained the edge through their physical superiority t gain a 4-3 win. However, it was most encouraging to know that our two apprentices Peter Bennett and John Dryden were outstanding. Bennett got one of the goals, Ford and Wedge being our other scorers.

QUEENS PARK RANGERS : South East Counties League

Loftus Road

2 - 1 (Unknown)

26 August 1961

Dickie Waddington Smith T. Dawkins White Howe Dear Bennett Britt Sissons Dryden

As Queens Park Rangers Reserves are now in the Mid-Week Section of the Football Combination they have arranged to play several of their South East Counties League Games on Saturdays at their Loftus Road Ground.

With seven pros in the side (six of them apprentices) we should have made more certain of victory, but it was not until three minutes from time that we scrambled home the ball, the decision being given by a linesman. We had taken the lead three minutes after the start but the Rangers did not let our youngsters.settle down after that, and mid-way through a rather scrappy first-half they equalised. The Hammers were quicker and livelier after the interval and definitely had most of the play.

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR : South East Counties League

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Cheshunt 3 - 7 (Harris 2, Howe) 2 September 1961

Dickie Ogles Ford Watson White Howe Bennett Harris Britt Sissons Dryden

As Queens Park Rangers Reserves are now in the Mid-Week Section of the Football Combination they have arranged to play several of their South East Counties League Games on Saturdays at their Loftus Road Ground.

With seven pros in the side (six of them apprentices) we should have made more certain of victory, but it was not until three minutes from time that we scrambled home the ball, the decision being given by a linesman. We had taken the lead three minutes after the start but the Rangers did not let our youngsters.settle down after that, and mid-way through a rather scrappy first-half they equalised. The Hammers were quicker and livelier after the interval and definitely had most of the play.

BEXLEYHEATH & WELLING : South East Counties League

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Blexleyheath 3 - 2 (Bennett 2, Sissons) 9 September 1961

Dickie Ogles Smith Ford White Howe Argyle Bennett Britt Sissons Watson

CRYSTAL PALACE : South East Counties League

Green Silley Weir 2 - 3 (Gadston, Watson) 16 September 1961

Herbert, Ogles, Trentham, Dawkins, White, Howe, Gadston, Harris, Britt, Sissons, Watson

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR : FA Youth Cup (Preliminary Round)

Upton Park 3 - 1 (Britt, Charles, Peters) 21 September 1961

Dickie Peters Smith T. Dawkins Bickles Charles Dear Starkey Britt Sissons Dryden

MILLWALL : South East Counties League

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The Den 6 - 3 (Harris 2, Sissons 2, Britt, Howe) 23 September 1961

Warner Waddington Trentham Ford White Howe Bennett Harris Britt Sissons Dryden

MILLWALL : South East Counties League Cup (First Round)

Green Silley Weir

4 - 2 (Harris 2, Dryden, Sissons)

7 October 1961

Warner, Waddington, Smith T., Dawkins, Heath, Howe, Bennett, Harris, Britt, Sissons, Dryden

The Colts Team lost centre-half Peter Heath through injury after only six minutes' play in their South East Counties League match against Millwall Colts at Wanstead last Saturday. They therefore did extremely well to win by 4-2.

Alan Harris and John Dryden got our first-half goals, but the Young Lions reduced the arrears just before half-time. We never looked like losing this advantage after the change-over, and although Millwall pulled the score back to 3-2 after John Sissons had netted a " scorcher," Harris made the issue certain. Bobby Howe had an outstanding game.

FULHAM : FA Youth Cup (First Round)

Upton Park

9 - 0 (Dear 4, Starkey 3, Britt, Sissons)

12 October 1961

Dickie

Peters

Smith T.

Dawkins

Bickles

Charles

Dear

Starkey

Britt

Sissons

Dryden

Following their 3-1 defeat of Tottenham Hotspur Colts in the Preliminary Round of the F.A. Youth Cup our Colts netted nine goals without reply against Fulham Colts in the First Round at Upton Park on 12th October.

The game was a personal triumph for our right-wing pair of Brian Dear and John Starkey who scored seven goals between them, but from start to finish it was team-work which accounted for this outstanding win. and it is unfair to select anv player for particular mention. Starkey got his hat-trick during the first half (14, 34 and 44 mins) and one from Dear (33 mins) put us four up at the interval. Dear added three more between the 77th and 83rd minutes while our other net-finders were John Sissons (64 mins) and Martin Britt (68 mins).

CHARLTON ATHLETIC : South East Counties League

Green Silley Weir

6 - 2 (Goalscorers unknown)

14 October 1961

Warner, Ford, Smith T., Dawkins, Heath, Howe, Bennett, Starkey, Britt, Sissons, Dryden

Three goals in the first-half meant that our Colts had little difficulty in defeating Charlton Athletic Colts at Wanstead in a South East Counties League match on October 14th. We took the lead after eight minutes and a strong attack maintained pressure throughout. We were a little diffident in defence and the Babes scored soon after the restart, but a couple more goals in as many minutes led to the Hammers winning 62. Trevor Dawkins was impressive at right-half and Martin Britt proved a constant handful for the opposition to cope with.

WATFORD : South East Counties League

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Vicarage Road

1 - 2 (Dawkins)

21 October 1961

Herbert

Smith T.

Trentham

Dawkins

Waddington

Lee

Gray

Watson

Bennett

Harris

Dryden

We got a goal in the eighth minute, Dawkins netting from Bennett's corner, but two defensive errors put Watford ahead before the interval. We could have pulled back this deficit, but over-anxiety assisted in squandering chance after chance.

ARSENAL : South East Counties League

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London Colney 5 - 4 (Gray 3, Dryden, Harris) 28 October 1961

Herbert Cannon Howe Dawkins Waddington Lee Bennett Starkey Gray Harris Dryden

Outstanding in the Hammers' side were Trevor Dawkins and John Dryden, and their skilful exhibitions kept all our XI on their toes to bring about a 5-4 win in a match that was interesting from start to finish. We were two up in the first five minutes, but by half-time the scores were level at three-all. Four minutes after the interval the Young Gunners gained the lead, but we rallied to gain full spoils, Peter Gray notching a hat-trick with Dryden and Alan Harris getting the other goals.

WATFORD : Southern Junior Flooodlight Cup (First Round)

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Vicarage Road 5 - 0 (Britt 3, Bennett, Sissions) 30 October 1961

Dickie Ford Smith T. Dawkins Peters Howe Bennett Starkey Britt Sissons Dryden

At the Vicarage Ground on October 30th we opposed Watford in the Southern Junior Floodlight Cup, with eight professionals or apprentice pros in a line-up. Martin Britt got two goals in the first half and completed his hat-trick in the 75th minute; John Sissons had netted our third soon after the interval and one from Peter Bennett near the end made the Hammers 5- 0 winners.

WATFORD : South East Counties League

Green Silley Weir

3 - 2 (Dryden, Gray, ?)

4 November 1961

Herbert, Howe, Trentham, Dawkins, White, Lee, Bennett, Watson, Gray, Harris, Dryden

In a South East Counties League game at Wanstead on November 4th we defeated Watford Colts. We could have won more convincingly had we not squandered some good chances, especially after the interval. Gray and Dryden gave us a 2-0 lead in the first quarter-of-an-hour, but the visitors managed to keep the game alive with one before the interval. After making it 3-1 the Hammers eased off and Watford got another goal before the end.

ETON MANOR : FA Youth Cup (Second Round)

An F.A. Youth Cup Second Round tie occupied our attention at Upton Park.

This encounter proved yet another example of our belief in the need for some system of qualification and exemption in the early rounds of this national tournament, for Eton Manor had very little to offer against a much more experienced side. Three goals in the first eight minutes showed how the game was to go, and neither the spectators or our players could raise a lot of enthusiasm for a 9-0 victory that could well have been by a larger margin.

We are now in the last 32, having beaten Spurs 3-1 and Fulham 9-0 prior to Eton Manor.

LUTON TOWN : South East Counties League

Green Silley Weir

5 - 2 (Britt 3, Bennett, Sissons)

25 November 1961

Howlett, Burnett, Pares, Dawkins, White, Ford, Dryden, Bennett, Britt, Sissons, Murphy

A move downfield from their own penalty-area in the tenth minute enabled the Hammers to take the lead through Martin Britt, but a defensive lapse assisted the opposition to equalise shortly afterwards; however, a centre from the left wing by John Sissons was headed home by Peter Bennett to put us ahead again before half-time. The Hammers never looked like being caught after the interval; Britt completed his hat-trick and in the closing minutes Sissons made a fine run to finish off with a successful powerful drive to bring the final score to 5-2, Luton having gained a second-half "consolation."

BEXLEYHEATH & WELLING : South East Counties League

Green Silley Weir

1 - 1 (Dryden)

2 December 1961

Warner, Burnett, Pares, Watson, White, Smith, Bennett, Lillington, Gray, Lee M., Dryden

The Hammers squandered many first-half chances and Bexley were rather fortunate to take the lead in the 67th minute when Warner did well to stop a "certain" goal - only for the ball to run straight to an opposing player. Burnett did good work to enable Dryden to equalise, but we again failed to take opportunities to clinch victory; final score 1-1.

LEYTON ORIENT : FA Youth Cup (Third Round)

Upton Park

4 December 1961

MATCH POSTPONED

Continual rain : rearranged for 15 January 1962

The F.A. Youth Cup Third Round tie versus Leyton Orient Colts was postponed owing to the almost continual rain which made the pitch a quagmire. Unfortunately it was not possible for the club to make an official announcement as to the likelihood of a postponement taking place until the referee had inspected the pitch at about six o'clock; therefore a good many people turned up to see the game for which the club sincerely apologied.

ARSENAL : South East Counties League Cup (Second Round)

SORRY NO IMAGE

London Colney

2 - 5 (Barry, Peters [pen])

6 December 1961

Dickie

Peters

Pares

Dawkins

Jepson

Charles

Bennett

Barry

Britt

Sissons

Dryden

We included three triallists in the team on this occasion, but against a much more experienced Young Gunners' line-up went under by 5-2. Martin Peters (from a penalty) and P. Barry were our scorers in what proved to be a rather one-sided game.

FULHAM : South East Counties League

Craven Cottage

4 - 1 (Barry 2, Dryden 2)

9 December 1961

Warner

Burnett

Howe

Watson

White

Archer

Murphy

Gadston

Barry

Bennett

Dryden

A London newspaper recently carried an item saying that Fulham Colts were challenging to take over the title of London's best youth team, which has been held recently by Chelsea and West Ham United." This was largely based on the fact that Fulham were leading the South East Counties League.

However, our youngsters have somewhat damped Fulham's hopes this year, for after beating them by 9-0 at Upton Park in the F.A. Youth Cup last October we followed up with a 4-1 victory in this latest meeting. It was extremely pleasing, especially as our XI included some Juniors who normally play in the under-16 team. All the goals came in the second half, Peter Barry and John Dryden each scoring twice. We certainly impressed the referee, who after the game extended his congratulations to the Young Hammers on their performance.

ARSENAL : Southern Junior Flooodlight Cup (Second Round)

Upton Park 1 - 0 (Britt) 11 December 1961

Dickie Peters Smith T. Dawkins Bickles Charles Dear Starkey Britt Sissons Dryden

Arsenal's XI included five full professionals and five apprentices and was much the same as that which beat us in the South East Counties League Cup five days earlier; the Hammers' side had been strengthened from that previous occasion, and had three full pros and seven apprentices.

The 2,500 attendance saw a really grand game, hard-fought from start to finish, with some excellent football from both sides despite the glue-pot surface down the middle. The Gunners held us to a goalless first half and it could reasonably have been expected that their stronger physique and greater experience might take its toll in the last period. However, within a minute of the restart John Sissons made ground down the left flank and crossed the ball for Martin Britt to head it in. Within the next quarter-of-an-hour John Black in the Gunners' goal brought off three brilliant saves (two from Brian Dear and one from Britt) and his side were still very much in the game. This sparkling play continued until about ten minutes from the finish, when a eagerness to decide the issue brought some over-keen tackling, and a failure to curb this plus some queried decisions unfortunately detracted from what would have been an otherwise perfect evening.

However, both sides had a "get together" after the game which re-cemented the cordial Gunners - Hammers spirit, with mutual agreement that we just had the edge in a fine 90 minutes.

BRENTFORD : South East Counties League

Green Silley Weir

1 - 2 (Unknown)

16 December 1961

Warren, Pares, Howe, Watson, White, Archer, Murphy, Lee, Gray, Bennett, Dryden

The pitch at Grange Farm for our South East Counties League match on December 16th precluded the likelihood of good soccer, and it was a case of the team conquering the conditions in the better manner proving the victors. Brentford Colts accomplished this to the tune of two goals to one, and apart from that there is little to add.

CHELSEA : South East Counties League

Stamford Bridge 1 - 6 (Murphy) 6 January 1962

Warner Burnett Howe Deadman White Watson Bennett Gadston Gray Horsman Murphy

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR : South East Counties League

Grange Farm

1 - 5 (Burnett)

13 January 1962

Warner, Burnett, Smith T., Watson, White, Howe, Bennett, Starkey, Gray, Gadston, Murphy

LEYTON ORIENT : FA Youth Cup (Third Round)

Upton Park

6 - 2 (Dryden 2, Starkey 2, Britt, Sissons)

15 January 1962

Dickie Peters Smith T. Dawkins Bickles Charles Dear Starkey Britt Sissons Dryden

LUTON TOWN : South East Counties League

SORRY NO IMAGE

Stockingston Road 1 - 1 (Unknown) 20 January 1962

Line-up unknown

ARSENAL : South East Counties League

Green Silley Weir

1 - 3 (Bennett)

27 January 1962

Warner, Burnett, Smith T., Heath, White, Howe, Gray, Starkey, Bennett, Gadston, Watson

The Young Gunners included several of their "A" Team players (who had no match), but our youngsters did very well against them until half-time, and could well have changed over with a lead instead of being 1-1 at the interval; Arsenal opened the score, but Peter Bennett got the equaliser from John Starkey's fine pass. The better stamina of the opposition (due to full-time training) told in the second half and they took command for long spells after getting an early goal; another tally in the 70th minute ended the scoring at 3-1 in Arsenal's favour.

WATFORD : FA Youth Cup (Fourth Round)

Upton Park

3 - 2 (Britt 2, Dawkins)

29 January 1962

Dickie

Peters

Smith T.

Dawkins

Bickles

Charles

Dear

Bennett

Britt

Sissons

Dryden

Despite the effects of a disrupted train-service 4,700 spectators got to the Boleyn Ground for this Fourth Round tie. Probably many of them anticipated an easy victory for the Young Hammers, as we had beaten the Hertfordshire team by 5-0 at the Vicarage Road Ground in the Southern Junior Floodlit Cup last October.

Evidently many of our team had the same impression, for the sparkle which had characterised their earlier performances in the competition was far from evident in the opening half. A Watford side consisting of seven amateurs, three apprentices and one professional gave a spirited display against a Hammers* XI containing four pros and six apprentices—and deservedly led at the interval through two goals by centre-forward Peter Payne who accepted chances caused by defensive errors.

A half-time "pep talk" evidently made a lot of difference, for within three minutes of the re-start our lads scored twice; Trevor Dawkins got the first with his left foot from the edge of the penalty-box and the second was credited to Martin Britt when he charged the goalkeeper into the net with the ball. We were still struggling to get the upper hand although playing with more punch, but with eight minutes to go Peter Bennett's centre was converted by Britt to bring us a 3-2 victory that was welcomed if somewhat fortunate.

CHARLTON ATHLETIC : South East Counties League

SORRY NO IMAGE

Woodford 4 - 1 (Archer 2, Murphy, [og]) 3 February 1962

Line-up unknown

This was not a good match; play was scrappy and as the ground was heavy and uneven "power play " was the order of the day, neither side playing the stuff they were capable of. An "own goal" gave us a lead, but the Robins equalised before half-time. Terry Archer put us in front again about ten minutes after the restart, and another goal from him and one from Paddy Murphy made it 4-1 before the end, with the visitors never in the game in the second half.

CRYSTAL PALACE : South East Counties League

SORRY NO IMAGE

Warlingham 0 - 2 10 February 1962

Line-up unknown

QUEENS PARK RANGERS : South East Counties League

Green Silley Weir

2 - 2 (Archer 2)

17 February 1962

Herbert, Long, Smith T., Burnett, Heath, Howe, Murphy, Watson, Hervey, Bennett, Archer

The Hammers went ahead after five minutes, Terry Archer netting from close range. After that play became very even, both defences looking sound, and it took a 32nd-minute penalty for Rangers to level the scores. Just before the interval George Watson broke through on the right to give Archer an easy chance to make it 2-1 at the interval. Six minutes after the restart the Rangers' centre-forward made a fine solo run to bring them another equaliser, and the score remained at 2-2 until the final whistle

ARSENAL : London Minor Cup (Semi-Final)

Upton Park

1 - 3 (Starkey)

19 February 1962

Herbert

Dawkins

Smith T.

Starkey

Charles

Howe

Bennett

Barry

Britt

Sissons

Dryden

In this Semi-Final tie each side fielded seven apprentices (full professionals are not eligible), and as will be seen from the line-up some of our youngsters were playing out of their usual positions. Arsenal were better off in this respect than us, and in general they were more cohesive in their play, but it was pleasing to see our lads adapt themselves to new places; John Charles was especially noticeable at centre-half, and apart from one slip he had a very good game.

A 25-yard drive which hit the bar in the third minute quickly showed the prominence of John Sissons, but it was his opposite number at inside-left on the Gunners' team — John Sammels — who eventually took the major honours. Sammels netted three well-taken goals (23, 55 and 88 mins.) and in reply we got one from John Starkey in the 28th minute. There was plenty of good soccer for the 2,900 spectators and it was a hard-fought game on an evening of ideal weather.

February 1962

CHADWELL HEATH

West Ham United outbid Dagenham Council for the lease of Allenbury's sports ground, Chadwell Heath

In future all home game played in the South East Counties League will be played at the new training ground.

PORTSMOUTH : South East Counties League

Chadwell Heath 1 - 8 (Howe) 24 February 1962

Keeble, Long, Clarke, Watson, Smith, Howe, Burnett, Bennett, Hervey, Starkey, Murphy

With four triallists in the side the Hammers were literally "all at sea" against a far more experienced XI. Our ill-balanced line-up failed to gain any advantage from the wind which was in their favour in the first half, and indeed found themselves 1-3 down at the interval; Pompey scored first, about 20 minutes after the start, and although Bobby Howe equilised the Pompey Colts romped home with an 8-1 win.

CHELSEA : FA Youth Cup (Fourth Round)

Stamford Bridge

1 - 2 (Dryden)

3 March 1962

Dickie Peters Smith T. Dawkins Bickles Charles Dear Starkey Britt Sissons Dryden

FULHAM : South East Counties League

Chadwell Heath

4 - 3 (Goalscorers unknown)

17 March 1962

Herbert, Long, Burnett, Deadman, White, Heath, Watson, Reardon, Hervey, Horsman, Murphy

We again put several youngsters "on trial" and they were well tested by a team highly placed in the table. They showed ability and intelligence in a very even game that could have gone either way; our more direct methods proved the decisive factor in a 4-3 win. Particularly pleasing was the play of Steve Hervey and Peter Deadman.

PORTSMOUTH : Southern Junior Floodlight Cup (Semi-Final)

Upton Park

0 - 1

19 March 1962

Herbert

Peters

Smith T.

Dawkins

Bickles

Charles

Dear

Starkey

Britt

Sissons

Dryden

Our hopes of having a chance to avenge our Youth Cup defeat by meeting Chelsea Colts in the Final of the Southern Junior Floodlit Cup were dashed by Portsmouth's last-minute goal in the latter competition here last Monday. After having much the better of the exchanges the Young Hammers had the mortification of seeing the last kick of the match find its way into our net following a speculative effort by a Pompey forward.

Time and again we had been foiled at the other end by ex-Dagenham Boys goalkeeper John Milkins, who at a very early stage pulled off a great save wherione of his own defenders diverted the ball towards the net, for althougp our forwards did miss some chances it was often he alone who stood between them and a comfortable win in this Semi-Final tie. Our own 'keeper, Barry Herbert (substituting for the injured Alan Dickie) dealt well with several dangerous situations, and it was unfortunate that he should injure his hand just before the finish when fisting away from an opponent : in consequence he was powerless to make a real effort to stop the decisive counter that the visitors considered themselves fortunate to gain.

MILLWALL : South East Counties League

Chadwell Heath

4 - 4 (Goalscorers unknown)

7 April 1962

Smith G., Burnett, Kitchener, Howe, White, Ralston, Harvey, Bennett, Britt, Sissons, Dryden

This was a hard, rugged match right from the first whistle. There was a complete contrast in styles; West Ham attempting and often producing the polished football of their seniors and Millwall playing a spoiling type of game with reliance on quick raids. All eight goals were extremely fine efforts; never was the game safe for either side. First West Ham took the lead after 23 minutes; Millwall soon equalised and then went ahead and the half-time score was 2-2. So the game went until the final whistle. From the Hammers' point of view it was pleasing to note that the "newcomers" who were mixed in with the more established players credited themselves well.

BRENTFORD : South East Counties League

SORRY NO IMAGE

Griffin Park

0 - 2

14 April 1962

Smith G.

Burnett

kitchener

Cannon

White

Porter

Day

Gadston

Storrar

Ralston

Archer

Right from the start a strong, forceful Brentford side looked dangerous, yet both their goals (scored in the first half) were gifts from a diffident Hammers' defence. It was a disappointing match for us in general, as some of the newcomers found the standard and pace a little above them, and throughout the 90 minutes not one direct shot was aimed at the opposing goal.

CHELSEA : South East Counties League

Chadwell Heath

1 - 4 (Goalscorers unknown)

28 April 1962

Line-up Unknown

FAIRBAIRN HOUSE : Andrews Challenge Cup (Final)

Upton Park

? - ?

28 April 1962

Line-up unconfirmed Smith G. Abbott Webb Lillington Archer Porter Day Francis Hoy Gadston Lee

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