Classic Match - Albion 3 Newcastle 2 FA Cup 5th Round Feb 20 1954

Each week, we want fans to nominate a favourite game from the past and tell us why it's important to them. We'll then publish the full match report each Friday.

Match report

For once, a cup tie picked as the plum of the round fulfilled all expectations. The clash between West Bromwich Albion and Newcastle United at the Hawthorns provided a real thriller without either side losing their reputations for playing good football. It was, in fact, a game which would have done credit to Wembley.

Six "Geordie" football enthusiasts, determined to see the fifth round cup-tie between West Bromwich Albion and Newcastle United, arrived at New Street Station, Birmingham at 2am today. They spent the rest of the night sleeping on laundry baskets in a waiting room.

Half an hour between the start of play and with thousands still outside, the gates were closed to an attendance of 60,000. This exceeds the previous post war record of 57,843 at the cup tie against Chelsea in the 1948-9 season.

Small boys were sitting all round the pitch and men were on the high wall at the side of the score boards. It was estimated that between 10,000 and 15,000 people had been able to get in.

The score, 3-2 in Albion's favour, rather flattered the United, for they never matched Albion's skill; indeed with a little more care in finishing, the home side could have run up a really big score.

There was, however, some pleasing football from the north-easteners, but with the usually dashing Milburn and Mitchell subdued by the outstanding play of Dugdale and Rickaby, there was little punch in their attack.

True, each got a goal, but they never looked like saving the game for their side.

Albion never looked like losing the 2-0 lead which their first-half beautifully controlled play gave them.

In the second half Newcastle really pulled out something special, but this fine Albion team, with their all round strength, coolly stemmed the assault and then seemingly at will, went away again to put the issue safe.

In a game in which many players enhanced their reputations, Allen stood out. He was truly a star performance. He got a hat-trick which included a gem of a third goal, and his pinpoint passes made enough easy chances for his colleagues to have doubled Albion's total.

There were great wing-half displays by Dudley and Barlow, with the left-half catching the eye with ihs deadly accurate 50-60 yards passes.

Scoular was a fine wing-half for the losers, but he could not match the skill of the Albion pair.

The home forwards moved well together. Griffin and Lee were dangerous wingers, Ryan continued in his best form, and Nicholls, in spite of a couple of misses, constantly caused the Newcastle defenders trouble.

Heathe made a couple of excellent saves when Newcastle threw everything into attack, and Millard gave one of those sound, thoughtful, displays one takes for granted.

Albion did not stop there, marching all the way to the final.

Sixth Round - Albion 3 Spurs 0, Hawthorns

Semi Final - Albion 2 Port Vale 1, Villa Park

Final - Albion 3 Preston North End 2, Wembley