QPR (0) – Leyton Orient (1) – ‘Rangers though, did Earn Sympathy for they Played the whole of the Second-Half without Waugh…’
Football League Division 3 (South)
Team: Brown, Poppitt, Ingham, Crickson, Powell (M), Clayton, Mountford, Smith, Tomkys, Cameron, Waugh
Attendance: 10,880
Following the 1-3 defeat at Loftus Road against Millwall on11th April 1953, the R’s were home again five days later, this time to take on Leyton Orient.
Three short uncredited reports were attached to the match programme I purchased some years ago:
(a) Leyton Orient were the more aggressive side in the first-half of their match with Queen’s Park Rangers at Loftus Road today.
In the 24th minute Orient took a deserved lead. Rees beat three opponents in a “corkscrew” run, then shot into the corner of the net. Orient continued to hold the upper hand.
Just before half-time, Clayton (Rangers) left the field with a face injury. Half-time: QPR (0) – Orient (1).
Waugh (Rangers) did not appear after half-time. He had hurt his ankle.
When goalkeeper Brown hurt his thumb in clearing and had to have treatment, and Clayton was knocked out in a collision. Rangers were badly in the wars. Orient were peppering the home goal.
(b) Ten matches without a win have put Queen’s Park Rangers in danger of seeking re-election less than a year after they were members of Division Two.
That’s bad enough, but bad luck was a fair excuse for their fifth successive defeat by London rivals, Leyton Orient.
In the first-half, left-winger Billy Waugh was a passenger after only ten minutes when he kicked the ground and jarred his leg, and in the second-half he took no part at all in the game.
Clayton was twice injured, once having to leave the field, and keeper Harry Brown disjointed his left thumb and spent an agonising few minutes while the trainer reset it.
But Rangers were woefully weak, and at no time mastered the tall Orient defenders. Only surprise was why Orient failed to score many goals.
Former Welsh international Billy Rees, recalled to lead Leyton in the absence of Pacey, was the most accomplished player, and his goal after 24 minutes was a beauty.
Only the dogged resistance of backs Poppitt and Ingham and the sound goalkeeping of Brown, kept the score down.’
(c) Eleven thousand onlookers had a trying time at Shepherd’s Bush. It was a hard game to watch. The only cheering came when someone had a shot at goal, and it did not seem to matter whether the shot was good or bad.
Rangers’ forwards often drew groans because of mistakes. Cameron was the exception, for he made several worthy individual attempts to score.
The other attackers seemed to do nothing beyond going into positions from which they could do no harm.
Orient’s attack was not much better, and there was only one praiseworthy combined movement by either side.
Rangers though, did earn sympathy, for they played the whole of the second half without Waugh, who hurt his ankle in the first-half.
Leyton’s only goal was the bright spot of the match. The ball was taken from their half by accurate passing and the movement was finished off with a well-placed shot by centre-forward Rees.
As the goal was scored when Rangers were at full strength, Orient can be regarded as deserving their win.’
The Supporters Club Notes “Beating About the Bush” included the following news:
‘Ernie Adams Benefit match – Ground admission tickets for this match to be played here on Monday may be obtained from the Club Room, price 1/-.’
‘On Sale Today, players’ photographs and team groups, 9d and 1/-. ARP. rattles, 1/-; Official handbooks (containing coloured photograph of all the players), 1/-; QPR cycle pennants, 2/-, miniature brooch rattles, 6d; FA publications, etc.’
‘Juniors’ Tour of the Ground – Also by the time this appears in print the conducted tour of the ground for junior members will have taken place – an ordeal from which we hope we shall emerge unscathed! It is hoped to organise a similar tour for adult members in the not-so-distant-future,’
There was a dance at Kensington Town Hall that evening. Tickets 5/-.
And the “Penny-on-the-ball” winners included Master Barfield of 56, St. Elmo Road, W12 and Mr F. D. Kimber, 24 Rawlings Avenue, W3.
The team did manage a 1-0 win at Portman Road the following week, with a goal by Cyril Hatton.
Steve Russell
(Featured on the programme cover was George Crickson)