| The 1953 FA Cup Final was known by many as 'The Matthews Final',
thanks to the wonderful display by Stanley Matthews that led Blackpool
to beat Bolton Wanderers by four goals to three in Wembley's highest
scoring Final. Blackpool won the FA Challenge Cup for the first
time in their history and brought to an end five great years of
endeavour which had already seen them at Wembley - alas unsuccessfully
- in 1948 and 1951.
For Blackpool, 1953 was third time lucky. But in her high triumph,
tribute, too, must be paid to her adversary, Bolton, for the unparalleled
way her players took their defeat.
Twenty minutes from time and leading 3-1, their hands were already
reaching out for the Cup. Yet though defeat came to them in the
last seconds of the additional time allowed for injuries, they were
able to smile and congratulate their victors with a sincerity that
will forever bring credit to the game.
The Cup Final of 1953 will live long in the memory. It will live
not only in the minds of the crowd of 100,000 that packed into the
great arena of Wembley Stadium in the spring sunshine. It will live
also in the memories of the millions who watched it at close hand
on television screens in their own homes.
After Bolton had increased their lead to 3-1, we came to those last
dramatic 22 minutes. It was now all Blackpool. Matthews like a magician
suddenly transformed his colleagues into great footballers. Time
after time, after making to turn inside, he sped with that decisive
acceleration of his outside Banks and up the wing.
He rarely came inside, he rarely spent much time outwitting Banks
with his bewildering footwork. Over and over again he left the Bolton
left-back standing as he raced up the wing to drop centre after
centre, plunging into the heart of the Bolton defence.
Twenty two minutes from the end, Taylor plied Matthews with yet
another ball. In a flash he was away, Banks groping in the rear.
He tossed a perfect centre high into the Bolton goalmouth.
It dropped, spinning and curling, inches from the far end of the
crossbar. hanson clutched at it, but could not hold it. It dropped
to the ground and through a space no bigger than the eye of a needle
Mortensen pushed it into the goal.
Two-three and the fight was on. But the ten gallant men of Bolton
were no longer sufficient to stay the will of the gods. The excitement
rose like the swell of the ocean as Matthews bewitched opponent
after opponent. Inside and outside, he created havoc; but as the
sands of time drifted away, Perry missed a sitter and Mudie another.
Then Mortensen saw his point blank shot saved miraculously by Hanson.
Three minutes from time, a kick was given on the edge of the penalty-area
for a foul on Mudie. Before an eye could turn, the ball was billowing
in the net at the back of the Bolton goal. The wall of Bolton defenders
turned, shock on their faces. Mortensen had gambled on a shot and
it was home.
With only seconds left, Taylor got the ball for what seemed the
thousandth time to matthews. For once, Matthews went inside Banks.
Barrass came across but Matthews was ahead of him, racing for the
bye-line. In the last yard he cut back a diagonal pass. Mortensen
was too far forward; but Perry shot home inside the near post and
it was all over.
Line-up
Blackpool: Farm; Shimwell, Garrett; Fenton, Johnston,
Robinson; Matthews, Taylor, Mortensen, Mudie, Perry
Goals: Mortensen 35, 68, 89, Perry 90
Bolton Wanderers: Hanson; Ball, Banks R.; Wheeler,
Barrass, Bell; Holden, Moir, Lofthouse, Hassall, Langton
Goals: Lofthouse 2, Moir 39, Bell 55
Referee: Mr. M Griffiths (Newport)
Attendance: 100,000
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