Barry Hawkings replaced Iain Jamieson at Inside Right for Coventry. (Coventry team details and crowd courtesy Steve Bell)
Match Report: Yorkshire Evening Post: 1st March 1954: Courtesy Steve Bell
One slip costs Leeds United a point
BRISTOL R 1 LEEDS U 1
Leeds United's forwards, although scoring only one goal (Nightingale's) continued the improvement in offensive spirit noticed the previous week against Birmingham, but although the defence improved too, one bad tangle near the end let the Rovers equalise through Hale after they had looked certain to be beaten. For, with a League debutant in Wilshire at centre-forward and inexperienced Hale and Biggs at each side of him, the Rovers were far removed from the team that ran away with the Southern Section championship last season. On the wings Petherbridge, the outside-right and the best forward on the field, and Watling used slim chances very well, but the three middle forwards could achieve little.
United took their opportunity to serve up an attacking game and although Iggleden had an off day at inside-left the forward line achieved a good deal of well-sustained passing. McCall and Williams on the wing were the pick, McCall roaming to great advantage from the right. Charles and Nightingale did some clever things, but had quiet periods against the rugged veteran Warren at centre half and the lively Sampson at left half. The side left a favourable impression on a 27,000 crowd, which appreciated to the full the high-class work of Charles and the sterling qualities of Kerfoot.
Search for players
At least two of Yorkshire's Football League club managers, Mr Raich Carter (Leeds United) and Mr Bob Jackson (Hull City) were on scouting missions on Saturday, but neither reported any success last night. Mr Carter, whose search took him to Scotland, today travels to Coventry, where United play in a floodlight match. It is understood that Mr Carter intends to play in place of Nightingale.
Match Report: Yorkshire Post: 2nd March 1954: Courtesy Steve Bell
United lose two goals in first minute
COVENTRY C 4 LEEDS UNITED 1
A rude shock awaited Leeds United who had not lost before under floodlight - a goal against them in the first twenty seconds and another before the end of the first minute. Most of the blame must unfortunately fall on Leeds goalkeeper Jack Scott. The ground was lightly carpeted with frozen snow and Scott allowed the white ball to slither through his legs and into the net. Brown, the Coventry centre-forward, was first to score by this method and Waldock got the second. Unhappily for Scott, he was beaten again by Waldock in exactly similar fashion in the first minute of the second half.
Charles watched
Leeds did not show up well in any respect. John Charles, watched by Birmingham City manager, Bob Brocklebank, who would like to sign him, distributedthe ball quite well, but did not receive a chance of demonstrating his real worth. He scored from a penalty awarded for hands after thirty-eight minutes, retaking the kick because the Coventry keeper, Taylor, was adjudged to have moved.The Leeds United forwards could make little of the brilliantly covering Coventry defence in which ex-Leeds player Roy Kirk played a notable part. Kerfoot made one very good scoring effort in the second half and Scott, regaining some of his lost confidence, brought off two excellent saves. He had absolutely no chance with Waldock's final goal for Coventry in the last minute.
