1926/27 Season - January
01/01/27 - Leeds [H] Won 1-0 [Gallagher] - 51,000 - 1st
Line Up: 1 - Wilson, 2 - Maitland, 3 - Hudspeth, 4 - Harris, 5 - Park, 6- Curry, 7 - Urwin, 8 - McKay, 9 - Gallagher, 10 - McDonald, 11 - Seymour.
A second successive win over Leeds combined with Burnley's defeat at Everton allowed United to take pole position; one point ahead of The Turfites and two ahead of Sunderland. The first game had it's moments but at SJP the action was "more vigorous than cultured, and there was just a fear that the encounter was going to get beyond the control of the referee".
The referee showed too much leniency at the beginning of the game and the players began to take liberties. Eventually the ref "took Gallagher and Armand apart to administer what looked a very serious lecture".
A little later Gallagher received a caution before the official administered an "all round caution" to both teams (although he missed a couple of united players standing twenty yards away!).
There was no doubt United deserved the win. Playing against the wind in the first-half they missed a number of chances including a third successive penalty; Hudspeth having his spot-kick saved.
Gallagher made the breakthrough when he drove the ball in off the underside of the bar.
15/01/27 - A Villa [A] Won 2-1 [Gallagher, McDonald] - 50,000 - 1st
Line Up: 1 - Wilson, 2 - Maitland, 3 - Hudspeth, 4 - Harris, 5 - Spencer, 6- Gibson, 7 - Urwin, 8 - McKay, 9 - Gallagher, 10 - McDonald, 11 - Seymour.
United consolidated top position with a hard fought victory against The Valiants. Once again there was a contrast of styles between United's elaborate approach play and The Brummies direct approach.
Both sides were excellent in the first period as "the football soared to the almost classical" although United were often guilty of over gilding the lilly. York put Villa ahead [15], but Gallagher responded within a minute "through the medium of a scrambling sort of goal" when he scored when almost on all fours.
United started the second period badly and were under the cosh, the upright twice saving them. But it was the Novocastrians who went ahead when McDonald finally ended the penalty problem ten minutes from time.
Villa stormed back and were themselves awarded a penalty five minutes later but Wilson saved brilliantly before kicking the ball into touch.
22/01/27 - Bolton [H] Won 1-0 [McKay] - 57,000 - 1st
Line Up: 1 - Wilson, 2 - Maitland, 3 - Hudspeth, 4 - Harris, 5 - Spencer, 6- Gibson, 7 - Urwin, 8 - McKay, 9 - Gallagher, 10 - McDonald, 11 - Seymour.
The "North Mail" successfully introduced "community singing" to SJP and The Toon supporters turned out in force to see United record their 5th successive victory in the League against 5th place Bolton.
Play was difficult on a frost bound pitch and as a result the game "was very disappointing"; but the result was enough to retain the two point lead over Burnley.
McKay put United ahead after only three minutes but they failed to build on that excellent start as a result of sound Trotters defence and a lack of sparkle and poor finishing in attack. Gallagher, in particular, was well shackled.
22/01/27 - Derby [H] Won 3-0 [Gallagher, McDonald p, Urwin] - 30,000 - 1st
Line Up: 1 - Wilson, 2 - Maitland, 3 - Hudspeth, 4 - Harris, 5 - Spencer, 6- Gibson, 7 - Urwin, 8 - McKay, 9 - Gallagher, 10 - McDonald, 11 - Seymour.
County arrived in 18th place and didn't bother to match United in the footballing stakes preferring to adopt "less creditable methods" which had the SJP crowd barracking them vociferously.
Their vigorous tactics failed to work however and Newcastle took the lead in the first minute through Gallagher who followed in after McDonald "foozled" a Seymour cross.
The other goals came in the second half; McDonald scoring from the spot after Gallagher had been fouled before Urwin added a third eight minutes from time.
Only a terrific display of custodianship from Olney prevented a more comprehensive victory while Gallagher was almost back to his best despite the fact that "he had to take a lot of buffets and was twice undergoing repairs".
Burnley and Sunderland both maintained the pressure with wins - they were both two points behind - but United had games in hand.