the robson years

It was debatable whether this game should have been played on a slippery, icy pitch, but for an hour it had everything except goals. Peter Morris came closest to scoring, hitting the bar, and heavy snow forced referee David Wallace to suspend play for twenty minutes during the first half. Fortunately the snow stopped and, once the lines had been swept clear, the game resumed with an orange ball. Mick Mills struck the vital blow for Town with a first time shot from 20 yards. More

An extraordinary game. David Best went down with flu overnight and after a last-minute dash to Stoke, Alec Bugg made his first appearance in the league side for over a year - in borrowed boots and despite carrying an injury. He had to face two penalties, the Potters hit the woodwork three times, and Town stole a point with a late penalty of their own. It was perhaps not surprising that Bugg was a little rusty, but Gordon Banks was also below his best and Lambert opened the scoring when he dropped a Collard cross. Stoke took a half time lead and Burrows netted a penalty awarded when Mills handled Ritchie`s header. Collard scored the best goal of the game, but Baxter brought down substitute Terry Conroy after 76 minutes. However, Burrows blasted the resultant penalty high and wide. When Dennis Smith fouled Hill, forcing him to leave the field, Viljoen tucked away the spot kick. Great entertainment! More

Surprisingly, in view of the final score, Town looked the better side for the first hour. Colin Viljoen hit the bar before Hutchinson`s header gave Chelsea the lead, and equalised from Mick Lambert`s cross. Unfortunately Viljoen was then involved in Chelsea`s second goal, his pass taking a rebound and falling kindly for Peter Osgood. Two late goals gave the visitors a flattering victory. More

With Ipswich in 18th position, above Palace only on goal average, Mick Hill picked the ideal occasion to score his first goals for the club. Frank Brogan provided the pass for each, and Hill also hit the bar with an 84th minute header. On a bitterly cold and windy afternoon Palace were outclassed, managing just two attempts at goal. More

Champions Leeds, in second place and unbeaten at home, dominated the match on a swamp-like pitch despite the absence of Billy Bremner, Allan Clarke and Terry Cooper. Leeds manager Don Revie`s greatest fear was that the game would be abandoned, and at half time apprentices and ground staff forked gallons of water off the pitch. But for a brilliant performance by David Best the score could have been doubled as Town`s attempts at short passing became bogged down. The best of the Leeds goals was a 25-yard drive by Norman Hunter - with his right foot! More

Ipswich had enough of the play to win but needed a slightly fortunate goal to earn a point, Mick McNeil`s 40 yard lob deceiving Joe Corrigan. Brogan again had a goal disallowed because someone else was offside - this time it was Charlie Woods - and Town also argued that Francis Lee had pushed McNeil out of the way before he headed the equaliser. There was praise after the match from City manager Joe Mercer - “This was our hardest away match of the season by far and I was very happy to get a point.” More