Football League Division 3
Team: Smith, Hazell, Brady (R), Malcolm, Hunt, Keen, Morgan (I), Leary, McAdams, Collins, Morgan (R)
Attendance: 7,526
On 16th January 1965, Rangers travelled to Vicarage Road to take on Watford. Dennis Signy wrote the following match report:
‘It looked like daylight robbery as Rangers snatched two goals to gain their second away win of the season, but it was merely another example of how Alec Stock’s wall is going to frustrate Third Division forward lines.
Since Rangers manager Alec Stock instituted ‘the wall’, a modified 4-2-4 formation with the Morgan twins, wingers, playing a defensive role, his side have won three games on the trot.
This time Rangers took the lead in 61 seconds. They snatched another goal in the second-half, and the fantastic truth is that Watford goalkeeper, Peter Goy, did not have another shot to save.
Rangers’ hero, or the villain of the piece if you are a Watford fan, was 6ft goalkeeper Frank Smith. He made some splendid saves as Watford threw everything into attack.
What has gone wrong with Watford, promotion challengers last season, but now just another side? They lack personality and imagination.
Even with the drive of player-manager Ken Furphy and coach Sammy Chung, they looked disjointed, and failed to find their way through the hard tackling line of blue and white shirted Rangers.
Chung, in fact, fired in the shot of the game, a low, swerving drive that the able Frank Smith saved at the second attempt.
Stuart Leary, back in the first team as deputy for the injured Brian Bedford, after a 10-goal nudge from the reserves, dealt Watford the first body blow with the quickest goal in his 490 league games.
Roger Morgan slung across a centre from the left and, when Billy Houghton failed to control the ball, Leary turned and shot Rangers ahead.
The immaculate Leary, one of Rangers’ many successes, exchanged passes with Andy Malcolm to pave the way for another surprise goal after 59 minutes.
Ian Morgan chased Andy Malcolm’s through-pass and then beat Goy.’
It was reported elsewhere that: ‘Torquay United have rejected a cash-and-players bid by Queen’s Park Rangers for centre-forward Robin Stubbs.
Rangers were prepared to pay £5,000 and also to give two or three of their players in exchange. Torquay said last night that it was the only offer they have received for 29-goal Stubbs.
“We have made it clear,” said manager Eric Webber, “we are not interested in parting with Stubbs unless it is an offer which would reconstruct the whole finances of the club.”
This was followed by a 1-1 draw against Bournemouth at Loftus Road.
Steve Russell
