Tyne v Wear - 1967/68
Summary
In the League United had their best season since 1954/55. The team was becoming harder to beat and despite only winning one of the last twelve and losing all the last five United's 10th place finish was - due to the one club per city rule - enough enough for Fairs Cup qualification.
Sunderland had a season of struggle but Alan Brown (who returned after McColl was sacked) managed to steady the ship and Sunderland finished 15th.
| 1967/68 | 26th Dec | Div 1 | Sunderland [H] | Won | 2-1 [1-1] | 59,579 |
- Marshall
- Burton
- Clark
- Elliot
- McNamee
- Moncur
- Scott
- Bennett [1]
- Davies [1]
- Iley
- Robson T.
- Montgomery
- Irwin
- Parke
- Todd
- Hurley
- Harvey [s]
- Herd
- Suggett [1]
- Martin [1]
- Brand
- Mulhall
- Kinnell [s]
United were in good form prior to this Boxing Day clash. They had lost only one of their previous nine games, were unbeaten at home and were in 6th place in the League. Sunderland were in 17th having failed to win any of their last seven
A huge crowd flocked to SJP and the gates were closed just before kick off. Undeterred, thousands more forced their way into the ground causing a number of people to require treatment for injuries caused by crushing.
United dominated the early exchanges and it was no surprise that they went ahead [23rd] when Montgomery - under pressure from Davies - fumbled a cross allowing the Welshman to score. Monty claimed that he was impeded; the referee was not interested.
Fatally relaxing we allowed Suggett to equalise within five minutes.
The one sided pattern continued in the second half but it took United until the 70th minute to regain the lead when Albert Bennett curled in an excellent shot from 20 yards out.
| 1967/68 | 30th Dec | D1 | Sunderland [A] | Drew | 3-3 [1-2] | 46,030 |
- Marshall
- Burton [2p]
- Clark
- Elliot
- McNamee [1]
- Moncur
- Scott
- Bennett
- Davies
- Iley
- Robson T.
- Montgomery
- Irwin
- Ashurst
- Todd
- Hurley [s]
- Porterfield [s]
- Stuckey
- Suggett [1]
- Martin [1]
- Brand
- Mulhall
- Kinnell [s]
The return fixture was played only four days later and Newcastle retained the same eleven. Sunderland made three changes. In direct contrast to their home record United had failed to win a single league game away from home (and would only succeed once during the whole season).
It was to be a classic encounter with thrills and spills galore.
Both sides made a tentative start and although Sunderland started slightly better it was United who took the lead when Hurley fouled Wyn Davies in the penalty area. Burton converted the spot kick.
The game remained even before the score was turned on it's head when 19 year old birthday boy Sugget scored twice in quick succession [31st and 35th]
When Stuckey smacked the ball into the roof of Marshall's net just after the break [47th] United looked in trouble, but they displayed tremendous spirit by virtually encamping in the Sunderland half.
With Hurley off injured the pressure began to mount and the defence became increasingly desperate. With twenty minutes left the Novacastrians were awarded a second penalty when the referee adjudged that Elliot had been fouled. It was a controversial decision; Burton lashed it in.
With only three minutes left Iley swung in a corner and McNamee bulleted home with his head; famously swinging on the Sunderland goal in celebration.