Watford (1) – QPR (1) – ‘Gilberg went Storming through & Hit the Bar’
Division Three South
Team: Brown, Poppitt, Ingham, Nicholas, Powell (M), Spence, Gilberg, Smith, Cameron, Tomkys, Shepherd
Attendance: 22,068
Following the 2-2 draw against the Hornets at Loftus Road the previous month, Rangers then travelled to Vicarage Road on Thursday 4th September 1952.
In goal for the home side was former R’s goalkeeper Reg Saphin, who had joined Watford the previous year.
‘The crowning blow for Watford’s shot-shy attack came 13 minutes from the end when, with a chance to win it from the penalty spot, Mitchell, former Chelsea wing-half, lofted his kick tamely over the bar.
It was one of the weakest penalty efforts I have ever seen, but it was in true line with the finishing of the Watford forwards, who should have put the result beyond doubt by half-time.
Skilful approach work, go-ahead wing-play by Cook, much ingenious manoeuvring and trickery by Bowie, largely went to waste.
Watford will have to find more punch if they are to reap the reward of the higher class of football they are trying so admirably to play.
Rangers with their lustier, hard-hitting style, nearly stole the match from them, as, after Shepherd had equalised early in the second-half, Gilberg went storming through and hit the bar.
His shot cannoned straight down and there were loud Rangers’ claims that it had crossed the line.
Rangers’ manager, Mr Jack Taylor, must be delighted with the fight put up by his re-organised team – changed in seven places.
Of his four new 19-year-olds, Michael Powell, tall and weighty, gave such a steady display at centre-half that little was seen of Watford’s deputy leader, Johnny Paton.
Soldier, Brian Nicholas, tackled and kicked calmly under pressure, even though he did concede the penalty, and in attack Mike Tomkys, only 5ft 8ins, never gave up trying against his formidable rival, Harry Phipps.
Rangers had a dangerous winger in Ernie Shepherd, but it was fighting spirit that did most to pull the game round for them. On this showing the team needs more craft, especially at inside-forward.
Watford took 23 minutes to get in front, and then it was with a lucky sort of goal. Brown came out, grabbed at the ball but failed to hold it, and Paterson kicked it into an empty net.
After that one expected that Watford really would make amends for earlier failures. They settled to a rhythmic game with the half-backs keeping the ball on the ground, and Bowie filling the role of general to near perfection. But the finishing was muddled.
Towards the end Watford’s confidence had departed with their lost opportunities, and it was Rangers with hard tackling and swift breakaways, who looked likeliest to win.
A long drive by Shepherd was only inches too high – but Watford deserved at least a draw.’
Steve Russell