Referee: Mr. K. Stokes (Newark)
Linesmen: Mr. J. T. Bibbey and Mr. B. M. Field.

Crowd: 25,752

Teams

West Ham
Dwyer, Kirkup, Cantwell, Malcolm, Brown, Smith, Grice, Woosnam, Obeney, Dick, Musgrove.

Burnley
Blacklaw, Angus, Elder, Seith, Miller, Adamson, Connelly, Lawson, Pointer, Robson, Pilkington.

Today in Burnley's first game of a new decade, they had to travel all the way down to the capital to face West Ham at the Boleyn Ground. Having been beaten by the Hammers at Turf Moor earlier on in the season, The Clarets were out for revenge, although the faithful were preparing themselves for a point at best, Burnley turned in a wonderful performance on a pitch that due to the recent heavy rain could only be described as a mudbath.

From the kick off the Burnley players had decided that the only playable part of this pitch was down the flanks, and so it transpired that this foresight was what was to win them the match. Our little winger Brian Pilkington was to wreak havoc down the left hand side, running time after time at the Hammers defence, it wasn't long before the Clarets were in front from a well taken goal from Lawson. Burnley were soon dominating the play, but it was something of a shock when Woosnam somewhat fortuitously levelled the scores. West Ham took inspiration from the goal and with just a little more luck in front of goal could have taken the lead. This resurgence didn't last long though as without doubt the man of the match Pilkington picked up the ball in the Burnley half, charged down the wing, shrugged off the tackles and finally knocked the ball over the keeper, an absolutely cracking goal especially in the gluepot conditions. Now it was the turn of the Clarets to take heart from a goal, as they piled on the pressure.

Connelly was the next to get on the scoresheet with a well taken goal after some spirited approach play by Burnley. The half time whistle blew with the Clarets going in with a 3-1 lead.

From the start of the second half Burnley were handling the conditions much the better, they were having most of the possession and Lawson soon had the ball in the net for his second goal of the game. It almost seemed that West Ham needed to concede to be sparked into action, and it was after this goal that they started to play again. After a short period of dominance, they were awarded a penalty which Cantwell duly converted. By this time the pitch was now totally unplayable, but the game continued with Burnley back on top. Connelly was next on the scoresheet, firing a well struck shot passed a despairing Dwyer. Final whistle and Burnley had won the game 5-2.

Great stuff, another 2 points in the bag, moving into second in the table, and playing well. Could 1960 bring something special for the boys in claret and blue?

Programme Review

Teams, four changes in total with Grice in for Woodley, Woosnam in for Staithe, Obeney in for Brett and Lawson in for McIlroy.

The West Ham programme was a pocket sized 12 pager costing a whopping 6d, expensive for it's day. Unusual as well in so much that were no adverts whatsoever. Not much content to comment upon either, other than the usual welcome to the away team, and a special mention for their achievement in beating us for the first time ever at Turf Moor earlier this season.

Next game: F.A.Cup 3rd Round Lincoln City v Burnley - Saturday 9th January 1960

Crowd: 21,693