Triumph Of Matthews And Blackpool From Our Association Football Correspondent The Cup Final of 1953 will live in memory. It will live with that 100,000 crowd compressed within the stately curve of a Wembley Stadium once more bathed in the spring sunshine of a Satur- day; it will live with that other countless multitude that viewed it second-hand upon the magic screen of television. It will live not only because of its highly colourful and emotional climax, that saw Blackpool emerge from a losing position of 1-3 25 minutes from the end to pluck a glorious victory by four goals to three as the last seconds were being drained from the afternoon. It will live largely because here in the presence of the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh the game of football. the game of the people, was crowned with all felicity in this year of Coronation and national rejoicing. So Blackpool at the last came from the blue to gain their place in history for the first time. But where to begin the story of such an after- noon of contrast; of light and shade, of tragedy and error, of mediocrity and supreme quality ? The thoughts go round in one's head as though they were coloured beads in a box. First, perhaps, one should say, with a Pass- ing and kindly thought for Bolton, that seldom can there have been a more popular victory. Certainly there has never been one quite so Matthews putting across a centre challenged by Wheeler, the Bolton right half. dramatic. And never before has the lush stage of Wembley been so dominated by the per- formance of a single player. This popular sentiment and this performance embraced but a single subject-Stanley Matthews. This was his finest hour, and that it should come with such timing at such a moment at Wembley, when the eyes of the country were upon him in his third Cup Final, was a rightful con- summation of a great career. It is by the power to call souls out of the abyss into life that greatness is judged. So ran Matthews be judged, for that exactly is what he achieved on this memorable Saturday. With 25 minutes left Bolton led by three goals to one and seemed assured of their fourth Wembley victory. Few then could cavil at their apparently unassailable position, for while two of their goals could be tabulated as gifts from a strangely hypnotized and un- nerved Farm under the Blackpool crossbar --ever has Wembley been the graveyard of goalkeepers !-against this there could be se. the sad fact that from the opening quarter of an hour Bolton had been reduced to 10 effective men through a leg injury to Bell,'their left-half. Thus, with a disorganized team, they had taken what chances the gods had to offer, had played an open, fast game-with the long through pass to the dangerous Lofthouse as their sharpest dagger-and had worked them- selves into a winning position, while their opponents time after time frittered away the openings Matthews created with deft artistry. To understand the ending one must begin at the beginning. Within 90 seconds of the kick- off there came the first shaft of tragedy, Loft- house lashed in a powerful low drive from 25 yards and Farm, perhaps taken by surprise and certainly beaten by a slight swerve off the pitch, allowed the swift-moving shot to glance off his arm into the net as he dived. Thus Blackpool, having scarcely touched the ball, at once gave Bolton a goal start. When Moir put Lofthouse clean through at the twentieth minute and the centre-forward, angling his shot past the advancing Farm, hit the far post a resounding thud the Blackpool fires were all but extinguished. But not quite, for in spite of everything, the fates were storing up their smiles for them until the climax, and this Loft- house shot, as it proved, may well have been a turning point. THE IMP AGAIN Certainly it looked like it when Blackpool, after some inept finishing by Taylor and Mudie, drew level for the first time 10 minutes before half-time. Again the imp of Wembley pro- duced a freak goal, for now as Mortensen, who had a fine match in every way, broke loose through the middle past Barrass and Ball and slammed a left-foot shot to the far post, the unfortunate Hassall, fast in retreat, ran straight across the line to divert the ball help- lessly into his own net. There is no defence against this sort of thing. But within four minutes Bolton were ahead again, and again Farm, still dazed by his error, was at fault. Langton curled a lob into the goalmouth where Moir, with quick perception, leapt across the face of Farm to divert the ball by perhaps the barest shade into the net. It was swift thought and action, no doubt, but a goalkeeper, especially of inter- national standing, should never be caught in this way. So Bolton led 2-1 at half-time in a match that thus far had produced too many moments of flat mediocrity. The goals were there, of course-and all the world loves a goal-but each was untidy. Bolton, with Bell limping at outside-left Langton inside him, and Has- sall playing finely at left-half, clearly were the more workmanlike, for Blackpool as yet withheld in their finishing the promise of some cultured approach play, where the ball was stroked along the ground. Matthews, as oppor- tunity offered, tempted each of his forwards to rise above himself at the crux, but with no response. So it was that when Bell, soaring off like some gull with a stricken wing, gallantly headed Holden's cross past Farm to give Bolton a 3-I lead 10 minutes after the inter- val it looked all over. But it was now that the afternoon suddenly took on a new quality. The colours became brighter. the outlines sharper. It was Matthews the artist who effected the transformation. And so we came to the last breathless stage that will live on into history. The story book ending was at hand. NEEDLE'S-EYE GOAL Matthews is a superb artist, a football genius beyond compare. He paints, as it were, in water-colours and not oils. His work always has had that beautiful bloom that oils cannot give. He has it within him tp turn mice into horses, and nothing into everything. Now in those last 25 minutes he turned Blackpool into giants at a time when all his inspiration might well have drained away after earlier disappointment. Blackpool, in a word, began to hum like a machine in top gear-with the young Robinson at last recovered from his early anxiety-and suddenly the 10 gallant men of Bolton were no longer sufficient to stay the hand of events. As Matthews suddenly took an acutely measured pass from the diminutive Taylor there were 22 minutes left. Once again he left the bewildered Ball stranded; not this tirne with a lazy inside swerve, or that famous Home Away P. ;W D.L. F. A. W-D. 1.L. F.A. Pts. Arsenal . 4215I 3 360 30 6 96 637 3454 Preston North Ena 4215 3 346 3 6 9 6 39 35 54 Wolnerh.mPtn. W. 42 13 5 3 54 27 6 8 7 32 36 SI W. Brom.f.h A. 42 13 3 535 19 9 8 3 8341 50 Chatrton Athletic 42 12 E 1 47 22 7 311 30 41 49 Burnley . 4211 6 4 36 20 7 6 6 31 32 48 Utackpoot . 4213 5 345 22 6 41 26 48 47 MtancVhesserUld. 4211 5 535 30 7 5 4 42 46 Sunderland .4211 9 1 42 27 4 4 13 26 5543 'T'ttenham Hotsp'r 4211 6 4 55 37 4 5 12 23 32 41 Astn Vill. ..4 97536 23 5 610 2738 41 Cardiff City 427 8 63217 7410222940 Mlddle hroogh 24212 5 4 46 27 2 6 13 24 50 4 fiottts Wnder'. 429 4 8 39 35 6 S 1022 30 39 S hrtsniol d .421 6 544 34 4 413 320 49 38 Newcastle Utd. .429 5 7 34 33 5 4 12 25 37 37 Liverpool .410 6 536 28 4 215254 36 ShlffleltdWed'dy 42 o8 6 73532 4 512 2217 40 35 Dherby Counay. 422 10 4 735 24 2 712 21 42 35 Manchester City 4212 2 7 45128 2 5 14 27 59 35 Stoke city ..410 4 735126 2 613 1640 34 Derby County .429 6 641 29 2 4 15 18 45 32 SECOND DIVISION Homc Away P. W. D.L F. A. W.D.L.FAP SheirietdUnited 42 15 3 3027 10 7437 28 60 Hjuddersfield Tor 42 14 4 43551 14 10 6 5 33 19 58 Llon Townr.". 42 1 4 31 77773125 PI n,ornh A yc.42 1543724 8 4 928 36 49 LeeseCity ..42 13 62 5529 5 610 34 45 48 BhmnhCity.. 42 11 3 7438 8 7627 2843 jNoLc[t lh,ghore.e 42 it 3 5 326 3 7 311 31 34 4 .r 42 4 1 6528 3 9929 43 44 Blackburn Rovers 42 12 45S420 .6 411 24 A5 44 Leeds United .42 13 4 44224 11 19293.9 43 SwanseTon *- 42 10 9 245 26 5 3 1i 33 542A Rotherhamsljnlred 42 9 75S41 30 7 21234441 Doncasic, Ro,ees 42 9 9 326 17 3 7113470 Wet H.rnUnited 42 9 5 738 28 4 89203:2 39 Lincoln City 42 9 42 123413A 9 E,erton . 429 84323623236 Oreniford. .42 8 8 538 29 5 313 2147 37 IloilCiy .~~4211 6A46 193 2If6215036 H 4O1lSCnony .42 1 5413 1 331153 Bury . 42 10 6 533 30 3 350513 Southarspton .42 S 7 945 44 .5 1610234135.' Barnsley . 42 4 413 31 46 1 416 166215s THIRD DIVISION SOUTHERN SECTON FINAL TABLES LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP Home Away P. W. D. L. F. A. W. D). L. F. A. Pis. Pri,tol Rove"s ..46 17 4 2 5519 86 63727 64 MiOlwall . 461 7 246 16 10 7636 2962 Northamvinrnotn 46 IS 4 1 75 30 8 6 934 40 62 N4O-rw1,CitY .461 6 156 17 9 4043 3860 BesIol City ..461 8 262 28 9 773333 59 Coventry City .4615 5 352 22 4 7122540 50 BeigthCon a.dH.A. 46 12 6 549 30 7 610 33 45 50 Southend Unlled.. 46 15 5 341 21 3 812 28953 49 Bournemouth .46 15 3 549 23 4 613 25 4647 Watford . 46 12 8 3 39 21 3 9 1123 42 47 Reading . 46 17 3353 18 2 5613A6 46 TOMMuYUThlted.46 15 4 461 28 3 515 2660 45 Crystal Palace .46 12 7 440 26 3 614 26 5643 Leyton Orient ..46 12 7 452 28 4 316 16 4542 Newport County.. 46 12 4 7 43 34 4 6 13 27 48 42 lp.wlch Tosn .46 10 7 634 28 3 812 2641 41 Exetercity .46 11 8 440 24 2 615 2147 40 Swindon Town .46 9 5 939 33 5 711 26 4640 Aldershot .46 8 8 736219 4 712 2548 39 Oueen's ParkR...46 99 537343614 2448 39 Ghllingham .46 10 7 630 26 2 813 25 4839 Colohexer United 46 99 540 29 3 515 19 47 3 Shrewsbury Towm 46 11 513835 1 715 3056 36 Walailt . 46 59 93546 2120 21 72 29 NORTIHERN SECTION Home Awa P. W. D. L. F. A. W. D. L, F. A. Pt,. Oldham Ahlctic. 46 15 4 4 48 21 7 11 5'29 24 59 Port Va.I.. 46 13 9 1 41 10 7 9 12625 58 Wrexham . 46 18 3 2 59 24 6 5127 42 56 York cfty ..46 14 5 435 16 6 8 925 29 53 Griu byTon ..46 15 5 347 19 6 512 28 40 52 Souhport . 416 4 342 18 4 712214251 flradford . 46108 537213 9 41038 38 50 Gateshead 46 13 6 451 24 4 910 25 36 49 C=rsleweAUnd= .46 3 7 357 24 5 612 25449 CreweAleandra46 13 5 5 46 28 7 313 24 40 48 Stoekponrtcouaty 46 3 8 2 61 26 4 514 21 43 47 =Iteslald n..46 13 6 440 23 5 513 2.540 47 TrannmereRovers 46 16 4 345 16 5 117204747 HalifaxTo.wn .. 46 13 5 547 31 3 1 0 2137 47 Se.whorp. Url,ed 46 10 6 738 21 6 892435 46 Bradfod rCty . 46 14 7 254 29 0 11 12 21 51 46 HartIe,o1.United 46 14 6 339 16 2 813 1845 46 Man"=lTowo..461It 9 334 25 5 313 2137 46 BaMrw . 46 11 6 248 20 1 616 18 514 Ctestor. 46 10 7 639 27 1 14 25 8 37 Darlington 4613 A 633 27 1 220 25 69 34 Ro at.o 4612 5 6 41 27 2 02121 56 33 WokiM on 46 965940 332 516 15 5832 Acerington StanIZ4 46 7 9 7 25 29 1 2 20 14 60 27 SCOITISH LEAGUE TABLE Home Away P. NW: 1. ~LF. A. W.1D. L. F.A. PV1 Hihernian ..3010 32 45 18 924 48 33 43 Ranier. 29 12 1249 14 6 533024 42 EastFife 30 0112 2 49 21 5 523 27 39 Hea d 30 8 3 4 36 18 4 3 823 32 30 Clyde . 30 8 2 54330 5 2833148130 St. Mimn 30 66329 21 52823 37 30 Dundee .. .30 8 52301it 16a81426 29 Celtic . 30 7 3533 26 44 71828 29 Patrick Ttl*e 30 6 4 S 32 33 4 5 6 23 30 29 Aberdeen .308aA345 26 311159 42 27 Queen of th.South 29 8a2 430 23 2 5 8 1237 27 Raltb Rove,s 30 7325 204 110223326 Falkirk .,, :,30 71729 28438224233 '266 AlrdrIeodnisn .30 64533 33 42920 4226 Motherwell 30 72634 3933 923 41 25 .iirdLanark .. 30 6 2 724 24 2 211 283 51 20 TO-DAY'S FIXTURES FArsenal v. Tottenham Hotspur (Lord Mayor's Flood B.5:Ftarn tv. ChlWa(655:MiIwl vC CHamletv. Athletic (Kenit CallleCn"ge iCapFial 6.30)), Pilymou tth Atrle i RmKiS Ation N. Wulverhampton W NdDe (6.iOP- GtL"ASGpOW7CoHARItTY CUP.-SEruuFrow..p.ngers, (,6.155.-D3ries v. HounsRlo. Towvln: Da]wic tHamle v. BERIS SrA^ND BUCKS EN LTUtL N CU.- Sssa.,saa Rono.SluehTow v.SlohCentr (6.0). shuffling outward flick, but by pure accelera- tion. In a flash he was gone and at top speed he chipped a perfect centre spinning un- pleasantly under the far comer of the Bolton cross-bar. Hanson no more than got his fingers to the ball and as it feU loose, about to pass outside the post, Mortensen, straining forward at full stretch, just managed to squeeze the ball home through the only space left to him. It was through the eye of a needle. That was 2-3, and now there came a new hope as rising excitement flooded the arena like light, with Matthews reaching the heights of his creative instinct. Outside and inside, he kept bewildering opponent after opponent as a torrent of noise swelled up from the vast crowd. But stiU Bolton hung on bravely, with Wheeler, Barrass, and Hassall their heroes. Once Perry missed a " sitter " from Matthews, so did Mudie. and then Hanson saved brilliantly from Mortensen at point blank range. Three minutes remained. Surely it was over now for all that Matthews, Johnston, Mortensen, and little Taylor had tried to do. But no. Suddenly there came an infringement against Mortensen on the edge of the penalty area, and before one could realize it there lay the ball in the back of the Bolton net, shot home like some red-hot thunderbolt by Mortensen himself from 20 yards; 3-3 and now extra time. But no again. With time measured in seconds Taylor again gave Matthews a lovely pass. Matthews, with supreme balance and control, now went inside Ball. As Barrass challenged he left the centre- half on the outside, streaked in to the by- line, cut back a diagonal pass and Perry, putting away all, past sins, shot home low past a defence cut to ribbons. Blackpool had won unbelievably. Almost at once came the whistle to create an un- forgettable last scene, for there, amidst al the roar and the clatter, and the long shadows of the Band of the Brigade of Guards in the centre of the sunlit field, was Matthews being carried shoulder high with his captain John- ston from the place of triumph, each with his hand upon the Cup. Poor Bolton, they were left with the red hot cinders. But what a finish, and the most goals ever scored at Wembley ! SBLACKPOOL -Fana: Shimwell. Garrett; Fenton. Johnston. Robinson; Matthen,. Tylor, Mortrenen. M.tie. Perry. BlOLTON WANDERElRS.-Hanson: flail. Banks-, 1. arr,un: Bell; Holden. Moir. Lofthouse. Hassail. SATURDAY'S RESULTS F.A. CUP FINAL Goals Goals BLACKPOOL .. .. 4 3BOLOr0N WANDrUoS ai3 LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHJP PoR3SMNOUTH I MMDDLESBROUGH .. 4 THURD DMSION SOUTHIERN SECTION BOUPNEMOUTH . QUEEN's PAMti RANGERS 0 BRIGHTON AND "Hovtt TORQUAY UNITED ,72 COvENy Cm' . I OTHER MATCH.M.LWAm 4, MANCHESTER UxrTED 4. SCOTMSH LEAGUE. DrnsON A.-Rangqes 3. Dundee 1. GLASGOW CHARITY CUP.-SES-i-FINA-hIblrd Lanark 1. Celtic 1. AMATEUR MATCHES A.X.A. SENIOR CUP.-FLNAL RoUND-Winchmore Hlul 0. H.M.S. Daedalus 0 (after xtte time). A F.A. INVITATION CUP.-FINAL ROUtND.-CaMM- bridge City 1. Northern Nomads 2. CaSTHINLEGE-Dulwich Hamlet A. Corinmhian asuas; Ilford . Rmford 2: kngstonian I. Wycombe Wanderer' 2: LeVtonstone 1. Wimbledon 0:. Walthamstow Arenme 3. St. Albans City 0: Woking 3. BromlcY 4. ATHENIAN LEAGUE.-Hayes 1 Bamnet 0; Leyton 2. Finchley 1; Southall 3. Wealdtone 2; Tootingt and Mitaham 1. Hitchin To.Wn 2. MCORINTHIAN LEAGUE.-Carshalton Athletic 4. Maideolhd United 0: Grays Athletic 7. Worthing 2; Hounslow Town 4. Eastbourne O:; Slough Town 1. Edgwa-e Town t. DELPHIAN LEAGUE.-Aylesb,ury United S. Woodford Town I : Blerkhamsted To"n 2. R.lnham Town 1 : Chesheant 3. Bishop's Stortford 3: Slough Centre I, Brentwood and Warley 2: Stevenage Town 1. Dagenhamr 4. . SPARTAN LEAGUE.-Ford Sports 0. Ware 4; Histon 2- Mietropolitan Police I : Vauxhall Motors 2. Marlow 4; Wolveaton Town and B.R. 7, Polytechnic 0. LONDON LEAGUE.-Guildfford City 6. Alcley 2: R. N. Depot 0. Eton Manor 7;- Ruislip Manor 3, P.O. Engineers (L.T.R.) 2; West Tharock 2. Leavesden 2; Wingate 2. Weiwyn Garden City 1. TRIUMPH OF MATTHEWS AND BLACKPOOL BOLTON BEATEN IN LAST MINUTE AT WEMBLEY