1962-63 Metropolitan league 'A'

The 'A' Team will be using our Savill Road Ground at Chadwell Heath for its home Metropolitan League games this season, and will therefore have a regular programme of fixtures instead of the spasmodic one experienced in past seasons when they had to play most games on their opponents' pitches. Two new clubs joined the league prior to the start of the season Gravesend & Northfleet Reserves and Kettering Town Reserves. The two clubs they replaced with Brighton & Hove Albion 'A' and Newbury Town who joined the Hellenic League at the end of last season.

No programmes issued for West Ham's Home League games at Chadwell Heath

DARTFORD RESERVES : Metropolitan League

Watling Street

1 - 3 (Dryden)

18 August 1962

Dickie

Presland

Kitchener

Dawkins

Bickles

Smith T.

Bennett

Barrett

Britt

Barker

Dryden

Several of our Youth Section were among the following "A" Team line-up which started the season with a Metropolitan League match against Dartford Reserves at the Watling Street Ground: Dickie, Presland, Kitchener, Dawkins, Bickles, T. Smith, Bennett, Barrett, Britt, A. Barker, Dryden.

Dartford are last season's champions of the competition, and they got away to a good start against our less-experienced side with a 3-1 win ; John Dryden was our scorer. However our youthful " lightweights " did well, and we were satisfied with their display.

WOODFORD TOWN : Metropolitan League

Chadwell Heath

7 - 0 (Sissons 2, Barry 2, Bennett 2, Bickles [pen])

22 August 1962

Dickie, Presland, Smith T., Dawkins, Bickles, Charles, Bennett, Barry, Britt, Sissons, Dryden

Although our young side had the better of the exchanges it was not until the 37th minute that they went ahead, a surprise shot from the wing by John Sissons catching the 'keeper out of position. Within three minutes we got two more goals, Peter Barry cutting inside to left-foot the ball home and Sissons getting another after a move that took the ball from our own penalty-area via Alan Dickie, Trevor Dawkins, John Charles and John Dryden.

Peter Bennett made it 4-0 from Charles' centre halfway through the second half and the score remained that way until the last five minutes or so when Dave Bickles (penalty), Bennett and Barry added further tallies to complete a 7-0 rout.

ARSENAL "A" : Metropolitan League

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London Colney

0 - 2

25 August 1962

Dickie Presland Smith T. Dawkins Bickles Charles Redknapp Bennett Britt Barrett Dryden

Against Arsenal "A" the home side seemed to have the benefit of greater experience and proved good winners by 2-0, but in general we could not claim to be so impressive as we might have been.

METROPOLITAN POLICE : Metropolitan League

Chadwell Heath 4 - 2 (Britt 2, Barry, Sissons) 29 August 1962

Dickie, Burnett, Wach, Dawkins, Bennett, Charles, Redknapp, Barry, Britt, Sissons, Dryden

On Wednesday, 29 August we were hosts to the Metropolitan Police at our Savill Road Ground, Chadwell Heath. The full-backs on this occasion were Dennis Burnett (a graduate from our junior side) and another amateur - Richard Wach, a Polish triallist; the full side comprised: Dickie, D. Burnett, R. Wach, Dawkins, Bennett, Charles, Redknapp, P. Barry, Britt. Sissons, Dryden.

We had gained a two-goal lead by the interval, but it was not until late in the second half that we finally established our superiority. There was a tendency to over-elaborate on passing, but eventually the more direct method paid off. Our scorers were Martin Britt (2), Peter Barry and John Sissons.

GUILDFORD CITY RESERVES : Metropolitan League Challenge Cup (First Rd)

Joseph's Road Ground

3 - 4 (Barrett, Britt, Dryden)

1 September 1962

Mackleworth Presland Smith T. Dawkins Bickles Howe Redknapp Barrett Britt Barker Dryden

This was a fluctuating game in which a young Hammers side played extremely well during the first half, Jim Barrett, Martin Britt and John Dryden each got one goal to give1 us a 3-1 half-time lead. After the interval the City came at us with everything, and amid great excitement Guildford firstly levelled the scores and then snatched a 4-3 victory with almost the last kick of the match.

KETTERING TOWN RESERVES : Metropolitan League

Rockingham Road

3 - 8 (Barry 3)

8 September 1962

Mackleworth

Howe

Wach

Dawkins

Presland

Charles

Bennett

Barry

Britt

Barker

Dryden

From the Hammers' point of view the best thing about this game was Peter Barry scored a hat-trick. This was the total of our side's goals, as Kettering got eight in reply the final score was greatly in their favour. It is only fair to point out that several of our team are still under age of 17, and the stronger and more experienced opposition again proved too much for them.

OXFORD UNITED RESERVES : Metropolitan League

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Headington 2 - 0 (Britt, Hugo) 15 September 1962

Dickie Presland Smith T. Dawkins Bickles Howe Bennett Barry Sealey Britt Hugo

Our "A" Team scored a very good victory in their Metropolitan League match against Oxford United at Headington on September 15th.

This was Alan Sealey's first appearance in our colours since his injury received in the League match v Leyton Orient on September 1st; he came through the test in a satisfactory way and showed plenty of dash in the middle. The defence was especially sound, Eddie Presland and Dave Bickles each catching the eye with steady play. Martin Britt and Roger Hugo got our goals which brought a deserved victory.

GUILDFORD CITY RESERVES : Metropolitan League

Chadwell Heath 3 - 0 (Barry 2, Bennett) 22 September 1962

Ferrier, Presland, Howe, Dawkins, Tindall, Charles, Bennett, Barry, Britt, Barrett, Dryden

The visitors to our Chadwell Heath Ground last Saturday (September 22nd) were Guildford City Reserves, who had beaten us by 4-3 on their own ground in the Metropolitan League Cup three weeks earlier. Brian Ferrier is a young goalkeeper from a Scottish junior club, and in his first game for the Hammers did well to keep a clean sheet. An interesting selection was that of Ron Tindall at centre-half ; he played a useful game in the pivot spot, and it is likely that he will have a further trial there in the near future. After the aforementioned defeat by Guildford it was pleasing for us to win on this occasion by a convincing 3-0 margin. An all-round performance brought goals for Peter Barry (2) and Peter Bennett, and in all departments we could claim superiority. This brought Barry's total of goals to eight in five matches, and it seems likely that with increased training he could prove a very useful asset to the Hammers.

METROPOLITAN POLICE : Metropolitan League

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Imber Court

1 - 1 (Dryden)

26 September 1962

Ferrier

Presland

Kitchener

Dawkins

Tindall

Howe

Redknapp

Bennett

Britt

Barrett

Dryden

After a rather disappointing performance during the week our "A" Team returned to very good form last.Saturday, and their current situation in Metropolitan League football is quite encouraging.

After a goalless first half John Dryden got a goal for the Hammers, but the Police equalised before the finish to gain a 1-1 draw. Generally we held the upper hand, but could not produce the finishing punch that should have brought us both points.

BEDFORD TOWN : Metropolitan League Professional Cup (First Round 1st leg)

Chadwell Heath

3 - 1 (Bennett, Britt, Dryden)

29 September 1962

Dickie, Dawkins, Howe, Bovington, Tindall, Boult, Redknapp, Bennett, Britt, Barrett, Dryden

We tried out David Boult (a wing-half from the Brighton area) in this game, and he did quite well in a tight defence in which Trevor Dawkins (playing at full-back for the first time this season) and Eddie Bovington also showed up well. The visitors had a very strong and experienced side in the field, including ex-West Bromwich Albion goalkeeper Jock Wallace. However, we held them to one each at half-time (Peter Bennett having scored our goal), and came well into the picture after the interval for John Dryden and Martin Britt to net further tallies that brought a 3-1 victory.

TONBRIDGE RESERVES : Metropolitan League

Chadwell Heath

3 - 3 (Bennett, Britt, Dryden)

6 October 1962

Grainger, Jones, Howe, Dawkins, Presland, Boult, Bennett, Barry, Britt, Sissons, Dryden

Tonbridge held the upper hand before the interval and went in for the breather with a 2-0 advantage. However, we came back very strongly m the second half, and with goals by Peter Bennett, Martin Britt and John Dryden we got ahead. We thought that we had won the match as it appeared that the 90 minutes were up, but during the two or three minutes allowed for " overtime " the Kent club managed an equaliser to make the final score 3-3.

DARTFORD RESERVES : Metropolitan League

Chadwell Heath

3 - 2 (Barry 2, Bennett)

20 October 1962

Grainger, Presland, Kitchener, Barrett, Bickles, Howe, Bennett, Barry, Britt, Sissons, Dryden

Our 3-2 win over Dartford Reserves at Chadwell Heath took them into fourth position in the standings. On this occasion they had the benefit of the promptings of team-manager Jimmy Barrett at right-half. Peter Barry got another couple of goals to bring his total for the season to ten, and this put us ahead at half-time. Dartford reduced their arrears before Peter Bennett got our final goal, but although the Kent club came into the game and netted once more we were deserving winners.

BEXLEYHEATH & WELLING : Metropolitan League

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Town Ground 2 - 3 (Britt 2) 27 October 1962

Mackleworth

Burnett

Kitchener

Dawkins

Bickles

Howe

Bennett

Barry

Britt

Barrett

Dryden

The side which we fielded was largely that which represents our Colts side, and apart from Jim Barrett they were all in their 'teens.

Our youngsters did quite well, but in the end the weight of the opposition proved too much and we lost a close game by 3—2, Martin Britt being the scorer of both our goals.

CRAWLEY TOWN : Metropolitan League

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Town Meadow 3 - 5 (Barrett, Britt, Hugo) 3 November 1962

Mackleworth Burnett Presland Dawkins Bickles Barrett Bennett Hugo Britt Sissons Dryden

Our visit to Town Meadow to meet Crawley Town in a Metropolitan League fixture on November 3rd found us opposing one of the strongest sides (they have applied for admission to the Southern League). Nevertheless our side which consisted mainly of youngsters did exceptionally well, and they could easily play worse than they did and win. Indeed, it was rather a fantastic game, and we could consider ourselves somewhat unfortunate to be beaten 5-3. In the end it was the heavy conditions that proved the decisive factor, as our lightweights found their stamina sapped by the mud.

RAINHAM TOWN : Metropolitan League

Chadwell Heath 1 - 0 (Presland) 10 November 1962

Mackleworth, Burnett, Presland, Dawkins, Barrett, Howe, Redknapp, Bennett, Britt, Sissons, Dryden

A single goal scored by Eddie Presland was sufficient to gain both points against Rainham Town in last Saturday's Metropolitan League fixture at our Chadwell Heath Ground. As the score-line implies, it was a close game, but we were deserving victors and as a result jumped to sixth place with 14 points from 13 games.

BEDFORD TOWN : Metropolitan League Professional Cup (First Rd 2nd leg)

The Eyrie

0 - 4

17 November 1962

Mackleworth

Burnett

Presland

Dawkins

Barrett

Howe

Redknapp

Bennett

Britt

Sissons

Dryden

Our "A" Team has met Bedford Town Reserves on both of the past two Saturdays in Metropolitan League engagements, each club gaining one victory. The Eagles' home win on November 24th was in some ways the more important, as by doing so they advanced to the Semi-Final of the League Professional Cup. We had gained a 3-1 advantage in the first leg at home during September, but the aggregate became 5-3 in the opposition's favour thanks to a 4-0 margin on this occasion. All in all Bedford proved far superior, and were good value for their win.

BEDFORD TOWN RESERVES : Metropolitan League

Chadwell Heath 4 - 1 (Barry 3, Britt) 24 November 1962

Mackleworth, Burnett, Presland, Dawkins, Bickles, Howe, Redknapp, Barry, Britt, Bennett, Dryden

We gained considerable revenge this time it was the Hammers who dominated the play, and Bedford had to play second fiddle. Peter Barry notched a hat-trick (making his total in the Met. League up to 13 for the season) and Martin Britt got the fourth. We now occupy sixth place with 16 points from 14 games, and are at home to St. Neots Town this afternoon.

ST NEOTS TOWN : Metropolitan League

Chadwell Heath

5 - 2 (Barry 3, Barratt, Dryden)

1 December 1962

Mackleworth, Burnett, Kitchener, Needham, Presland, Howe, Redknapp, Bennett, Barry, Barrett, Dryden

This was not a very good game to watch, although our young side did very well to win by 5-2. We were generally far too good for the opposition and the margin of our victory could easily have been greater. Indeed Peter Barry had the ball in the Bedfordshire club's net half-a-dozen times only to have three of the "goals" disallowed! Nevertheless he well merited his hat-trick, and was the star of the match. Our other goals came from Jim Barrett and John Dryden.

KETTERING TOWN RESERVES : Metropolitan League

Chadwell Heath

2 - 4 (Barrett, Bennett)

8 December 1962

Mackleworth, Burnett, Presland, Needham, Bickles, Howe, Redknapp, Bennett, Barry, Barrett, Dryden

The visit of the Metropolitan League leaders gave an opportunity for our third-string to reduce their margin at the head of the table, but by repeating their early-season victory the Northants club kept us to third place in the standings. This time the score was 4-2, Peter Bennett and Jim Barrett getting our goals on a day when the visitors had the better of the exchanges for most of the 90 minutes.

TONBRIDGE RESERVES : Metropolitan League

Angel Ground

3 - 1 (Barry, Lansdowne, Presland)

21 December 1962

Mackleworth

Burnett

Presland

Dawkins

Bickles

Barrett

Bennett

Hugo

Britt

Sissons

Dryden

Our "A" Team succeeded in placing two fixtures during the latter part of December and with victories in each took them into third place in the Metropolitan league table.

Against Tonbridge Reserves at the Angel Ground on December 22nd our 3-1 margin came through goals by Eddie Presland, Bill Lansdowne and Peter Barry.

GUILDFORD CITY RESERVES : Metropolitan League

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Joseph's Road Ground

2 - 0 (Redknapp, Schumann)

26 December 1962

Barrett

Burnett

Presland

Dawkins

White

Howe

Redknapp

Sissons

Bennett

Dryden

Schumann

We visited Guildford Citv Reserves at the Josephs Road Ground on Boxing Day, with Jimmy Barrett taking over as a late deputy "between the sticks." Jim acquitted himself very well by maintaining a clean sheet, and with goals by Harry Redknapp and Schumann we were 2-0 winners.

EASTBOURNE UNITED : Metropolitan League

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Princes Park

1 - 1 (Redknapp)

27 February 1963

Mackleworth

Burnett

Kitchener

Dawkins

Charles

Howe

Redknapp

Bennett

Britt

Sissons

Dryden

Our Youth XI did well to gain a 1-1 draw against this strong amateur side, Harry Redknapp being our scorer in a match played under floodlights on a fine evening.

DIDCOT TOWN : Metropolitan League

Chadwell Heath 10 - 0 (Britt 4, Dryden 3, Barrett, Bennett, Howe) 9 March 1963

Dickie, Burnett, Archer, Lansdowne, White, Howe, Redknapp, Bennett, Britt, Barrett, Dryden

Against bottom-of-the table opposition we ran up ten goals without reply to keep us in third place in the table with 25 points from 20 games; Martin Britt (4), John Dryden (3), Jim Barrett, Peter Bennett and Bobby Howe were our scorers. Little comment is necessary, except to say that the score was only 3-0 in our favour at half-time.

ST NEOTS TOWN : Metropolitan League

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Shortlands

1 - 1 (Redknapp)

16 March 1963

Dickie

Burnett

Kitchener

Lansdowne

White

Howe

Redknapp

Bennett

Gadston

Barrett

Archer

BEDFORD TOWN RESERVES : Metropolitan League

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The Eyrie

2 - 4 (Dear, Redknapp)

18 March 1963

Dickie Burnett Kitchener Dawkins Lansdowne Howe Redknapp Bennett Dear Hugo Dryden

Harry Redknapp and Brian Dear gave us a 2-0 lead under the Bedford floodlights, but the home side came back very stongly and ended up as 4-2 winners.

EASTBOURNE UNITED : Metropolitan League

Chadwell Heath

1 - 4 (Barrett)

23 March 1963

Mackleworth, Burnett, Kitchener, Dawkins, Lansdowne, Porter, Redknapp, Bennett, Barrett, Howe, Randall

The Sussex amateurs proved too strong for us on this occasion, and after leading by 2-0 at half-time ended with a 4-1 score in their favour. Our goal was netted by Jim Barrett.

BEXLEYHEATH & WELLING : Metropolitan League

Chadwell Heath

4 - 0 (Barrett 2, Randall 2)

30 March 1963

Dickie, Burnett, Kitchener, Howe, White, Archer, Redknapp, Bennett, Barrett, Gadston, Randall

There was not a great deal of opposition from the Southern League side's second-string and we had a very easy 4-0 victory with Jim Barrett and amateur Gordon Randall netting two goals apiece. In general our youngsters were much too fast for the opposition, and it was a very good showing by many of our Colts.

DIDCOT TOWN : Metropolitan League

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Station Road

2 - 0 (Bennett, Gadston)

6 April 1963

Leslie Burnett Kitchener Lansdowne White Howe Redknapp Bennett Gadston Barrett Archer

The main interest in this game against bottom-of-the-table Didcot was the re-appearance of Lawrie Leslie in our goal after an absence of just over five months (he broke his leg against Bolton Wanderers here on November 3rd); Lawrie came through this first test very well and we shall have him in action again during the Toaster holidays.

There is not much to say about the game, as we had no difficulty in winning by 2-0, Peter Bennett and Joe Gadston each scoring once.

GRAVESEND & NORTHFLEET : Metropolitan League

Chadwell Heath 5 - 1 (Barrett 4, Redknapp) 12 April 1963

Mackleworth, Burnett, Kitchener, Lansdowne, White, Wallace, Redknapp, Gadston, Barrett, Howe, Archer

Jimmy Barrett was the star on this occasion, as he netted four of our goals in a 5-1 victory, the other Hammers' tally being notched by Harry Redknapp. As indicated by the score it was a very easy victory, but we accepted a very good proportion of our chances and well earned the points.

RAINHAM TOWN : Metropolitan League

Deri Park

2 - 1 (Barrett, Hugo)

13 April 1963

Leslie

Burnett

Presland

Lansdowne

White

Howe

Dear

Bennett

Barrett

Hugo

Dryden

In addition to Lawrie Leslie who was having another try-out after recovery from his injury we fielded several players with Combination experience as our Reserves were fixtureless. This time, however, the opposition was stronger, and we had to go all out for the 2-1 win we gained. Jim Barrett got another goal to bring his season's total to 13, and our other scorer was Roger Hugo.

ARSENAL "A" : Metropolitan League

Chadwell Heath 4 - 2 (Dawkins, Dear, Hugo, Dryden) 15 April 1963

Leslie, Burnett, Presland, Dawkins, Bickles, Howe, Redknapp, Bennett, Dear, Hugo, Dryden

We could have fielded some of our Reserves (they again had no Combination fixture), but put out a very young XI against the Gunners, although the inclusion of Lawrie Leslie (having a further test after his lengthy absence) undoubtedly added a lot of experience in the defence. These youngsters proved more than a match for the Highbury contingent, and goals by Trevor Dawkins, Brian Dear, Roger Hugo and John Dryden brought a splendid 4-2 margin in our favour.

CRAWLEY TOWN : Metropolitan League

Chadwell Heath

2 - 3 (Rhodes 2)

20 April 1963

Leslie, Burnett, Kitchener, Stables, White, Lansdowne, Redknapp, Gadston, Rhodes, Barrett, Archer

There were several remarkable things about this game, including the fact that we played Brian Rhodes at centre-forward; with a shortage Of available regulars (owing to Youth calls, etc.) we played Brian in the centre and he marked the occasion by scoring twice. Meanwhile Lawrie Leslie was keeping us in a 2-1 lead (after a 1-1 half-time score) and we looked set for victory with only a couple of minutes to go. Then came a somewhat dubious penalty to level the scores, followed by the decision to award the winning goal to Crawley after protests that a visiting forward had handled the ball into the net.

GRAVESEND & NORTHFLEET : Metropolitan League

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Stonebridge Road 2 - 0 (Gadston, Hoy) 24 April 1963

Dickie

Porter

Archer

Needham

White

Wallace

Ackerman

Gadston

Rhodes

Lillington

Hoy

This was indeed a very young side, with almost the entire XI comprising youngsters who have played in the South East Counties League side this season. To gain a 2-0 victory against a Southern Leaguers' reserve side was a splendid performance, and we congratulate them heartily. Joe Gadston and Roger Hoy were our scorers.

1961-62 Metro Season 1962-63 1963-64 Metro