Matchday Memories: On This Day 1973 – Bristol Babes Beaten By Sky Blues In LC

Sky Blue Manager Gordon

On this day (6th November) in 1973 CCFC Manager Gordon Milne‘s Sky Blues were taking a break from Division One league action and were entertaining Bristol City in a League Cup Third Round replay at Highfield Road having drawn 2-2 with them a week previously at Ashton Gate.

City had easily disposed of Darlington in the second round winning 5-1 at Highfield Road. In the first game with the Robins, former Sky Blue centre forward (and future Sky Blue manager), ‘Cov Kid’ Bobby Gould had grabbed both of Bristol’s goals against his old side (10 and 52 mins.) and it took replies from (now Bobby’s fellow CCFPA members) Wilf Smith (22 minutes) and Les Cartwright (69 mins.) to salvage the tie and force a replay.

Les Cartwright in the Sky Blue

In the game this day fifty years ago it was all over in the first half when all the goals were scored. Bristol manager Alan Dicks (formerly an assistant to Jimmy Hill at CCFC), both later becoming Association members ensured it was a hard fought battle and the aggressive Bristolians took no prisoners in front of of a Highfield Road crowd of 13,127.

Sky Blues defender (and CCFPA member) Alan Dugdale did much better at snuffing out the threat from ‘the Gouldfather‘ this time. Young Sky Blues defender Dave Philpotts also had a better game and went close to getting his name on the scoresheet with a couple of headers.

Brian volleys in the opener

Dave Philpotts in the Sky Blue

Brian Alderson in the Sky Blue

It was the Sky Blues forward Brian Alderson who did the damage for the home team as he notched a brace, his first on twenty minutes and second just after the half hour, breaking his scoring drought in fine fashion. First, he volleyed home from a flick from CCFC centre forward and fellow Scotsman Colin Stein (pictured above). Then, Brian was on the spot to head in a left wing cross to double the advantage (shown below).

Brian Alderson heads his and CCFC’s second

Colin Stein battles for the ball

A goal for the Robins a couple of minutes before the break from Clive Whitehead kept Bristolian hopes alive but in a memorable game the Sky Blues held out for the win and a date with another home tie with Stoke City in the Fourth Round later in the month.

Milne’s men in that post-Bonfire night Cup tie comprised (CCFPA members underlined):-

Bill Glazier, Mick Coop, Jimmy Holmes, Dennis Mortimer, Dave Philpotts, Alan Dugdale, Les Cartwright, the late Brian Alderson*, Colin Stein, Mick McGuire and Tommy Hutchison.

*The Sky Blues scorer Brian Alderson died at the tragically early age of 46 in April 1997 in the USA where he had finished his footballing career.

Alan Dicks‘ Bristol City side lined up:-

Len Bond, Trevor Tainton, Brian Drysdale, Gerry Sweeney, David Rodgers, Geoff Merrick, Clive Whitehead, Tom Ritchie, Bobby Gould, Gerry Gow and Donny Gillies (sub. Keith Fear) Referee: A.Oliver

Alan Green in the Sky Blue

Colin in the Sky Blue

The Sky Blues went on to win the Stoke City tie 2-1 with goals from CCFPA members Alan Green and Colin Stein. However, Manchester City eventually put them out with a 4-2 victory at Maine Road after a 2-2 draw in Coventry.

In the League in 1973-74 the Sky Blues found safety in the relegation scramble finishing sixteenth in Division One four places but only two points above the drop!