1926/27 Season - November
06/11/26 - WBA [H] Won 5-2 [Gallagher 2 McKay 3]- 30,000 [2nd]
Line Up: 1 - Wilson, 2 - Maitland, 3 - Hudspeth 4 - McKenzie, 5 - Spencer, 6- Gibson, 7 - Urwin, 8 - McKay, 9 - Gallagher, 10 - McDonald, 11 - Seymour.
Gallagher scored two goals on his return but it was new signing Bob McKay who grabbed the headlines with a debut hat-trick against table footers West Brom. The United forward line was in "captivating form, almost of exhibition type towards the end of the game"
They were two ahead within five minutes with McKay opening his account in the first minute and Gallagher adding a second. Complacency allowed The Throstles to halve the arrears and almost equalise before McKay restored the advantage. His powerful shot "spun Spronson round and into the net before the (pesky) ball jumped out of his hands".
Spronson kept the Brummies in the game before McKay [70] and a Gallagher header [79] put United into an unassailable lead. Wilson got Albion's second four minuted from time.
13/11/26 - Bury [A] Lost 2-3 [Gallagher Hudspeth p] - 12,000 [5th]
Line Up: 1 - Wilson, 2 - Maitland, 3 - Hudspeth 4 - McKenzie, 5 - Spencer, 6- Gibson, 7 - Urwin, 8 - McKay, 9 - Gallagher, 10 - McDonald, 11 - Seymour.
A gruelling game for the Mags who were hampered by injuries to a number of players during the game and had two "goals" controversially disallowed. The display lacked their usual polish as they sacrificed "craft for fury".
Torrential rain across the country resulted in a number of postponements and as a result the going was "very soft", but sunshine greeted the teams at Gigg Lane. Bury - with a "rather strong breeze" in their favour - dominated the first half but it was Newcastle who opened the scoring [17]; "Gallagher heading a delightful goal from a finely placed Seymour centre" .
The Shakers responded well and 17 minutes later they led. Wilson had to make several fine saves to prevent more goals from Bury's "frisky raiders".
In the second period the driving rain returned and United went on the offensive. Bury had many narrow escapes, none more so than when United claimed that McKay's shot had crossed the line before it was cleared. Bury added a third with a fine individual effort from Ball before Hudspeth scored from the penalty spot after "Bradshaw stopped the ball from going into the net in approved goalkeeper style". United went all out for a winner but to no avail.
The game was often "in grave danger of being spoiled by the referee ... so much so that before the finish it was almost out of control. He had occasion to speak to McKenzie and Spencer, but he seemed to spend quite a lot of time talking to both players and spectators."
20/11/26 - Birmingham [H] Won 5-1 [McKay Gallagher McDonald Seymour Hudspeth p ] - 31,000 [3rd]
Line Up: 1 - Wilson, 2 - Maitland, 3 - Hudspeth 4 - McKenzie, 5 - Spencer, 6 - Gibson, 7 - Urwin, 8 - McKay, 9 - Gallagher, 10 - McDonald, 11 - Seymour.
The Brummies were equal on points before the match but they were soundly beaten by a scoreline that "did not exaggerate the general measure of United's superiority". They had now scored 16 times in their last three home matches. United were dominant for nearly the whole game "playing football which must have captivated the most exacting critic".
After an enterprising start from the Midlanders, McKay [15] and Gallagher scored in the first half with Tremelling having to keep his nerve in The Blues citadel to keep the score down.
After Mcdonald had increased the advantage [57] United relaxed and allowed Birmingham to get one back. But they responded well with further goals from Seymour and a Hudspeth penalty.
27/11/26 - Tottenham [A] Won 3-1 [Gallagher 3] - 31,000 [2nd]
Line Up: 1 - Wilson, 2 - Maitland, 3 - Hudspeth 4 - Harris, 5 - Spencer, 6 - Gibson, 7 - Urwin, 8 - McKay, 9 - Gallagher, 10 - McDonald, 11 - Seymour.
Gallagher had failed to score on his three previous visits to London, but the sceptical media couldn't fail to be impressed after a devastating display from Wee Hughie. Spurs were unbeaten at home but there was little for the Cockerels to crow about after the game.
It was very much a game of two halves. The first period was an "exhibition of football which soared to the heights". Spurs played well but United were "beyond all praise" combining "perfect combination" with "individual and collective cleverness". Gallagher scored with two brilliant goals before needing treatment for a bad foul that "escaped the observation of the referee".
After Gallagher completed his hat-trick [58] the match degenerated with Spurs employing "get there" tactics and United replying in kind. Eventually referee Lines called all the players together to issue a "general caution".