Back in the Midlands, the O’s earned their first point and in an improved performance were ahead after coming from behind. After only six minutes Peter Bullock (older brother of Mickey Bullock) put Birmingham ahead but Malcolm Graham equalised ten minutes later and just four minutes after that Dave Dunmore converted a penalty for handball. The lead lasted until five minutes after half-time when winger Mike Hellawell deceived Bill Roberston with a cross that went in off the far post.
It was also the home side’s first point of the season and the local Mercury was not impressed with them, reporting that “For a lengthy spell, Birmingham’s defence was all at sea. Towards the end it was Leyton who looked the more dangerous.”
Boosted by an improved performance at St Andrew’s, Orient came out firing, yet after dominating the first half somehow found themselves 3-1 down at the interval. Norman Deeley (23 mins) equalised after an unfortunate own goal by Eddie Lewis five minutes earlier, Cyril Lea could only help Alec Jackson’s shot into the net (37 mins) and six minutes from half-time Derek Kevan was allowed to bundle into Bill Robertson and Clive Clark scored a third.
Forcing a total of 19 corners, the O’s kept threatening and in the 72nd minute Dave Dunmore gave them hope with a penalty, but Albion clung on.
“Potter was superb in Albion’s goal,” said the Birmingham Post, while criticising the O’s defence.
What a fixture with which to record a first-ever victory in the First Division. It was well deserved too. “It was a miracle the score didn’t end 5-0 in Orient’s favour,” wrote the People reporter.
The O’s made their first change of the season with 18 year-old Gordon Bolland replacing Derek Gibbs and it took Dave Dunmore formerly of West Ham only five minutes to score for the fourth game in a row. Prepared to shoot on sight, Orient had a second in the 40th minute when Malcolm Graham drove in from 20 yards.
Alan Sealey, the man who moved to Upton Park in part-exchange for Dunmore, tweaked an ankle and the Hammers attack was toothless despite the promptings of another former O, Phil Woosnam. Defeat left them bottom of the table and arguably changed English football history: Geoff Hurst, an unexceptional wing-half, was told he would be playing as a striker for the first time against Liverpool two days later and never looked back.
Former Everton manager Johnny Carey had an unhappy return to Goodison Park as his team finished well beaten after a bright start. The second largest crowd an Orient team had ever played in front of saw a one-sided game in which only a series of saves by Bill Robertson kept the score down. Future Northern Ireland manager Billy Bingham beat him after four minutes, before Malcolm Graham missed Orient’s best chance. Bingham then crossed for Jimmy Gabriel to head a second goal (44 mins). Roy Vernon added a penalty in the 58th minute but the O’s prevented any further damage despite Graham being an injured passenger on the wing.
“The Londoners had a pair of wing-halves in Malcolm Lucas and Cyril Lea who would not disgrace any First Division side,” said the Daily Mirror.
One of the most famous results in the O’s history was brought about with almost the last kick of the game when left-winger Terry McDonald – still attending home matches over 60 years later – picked up a pass from Eddie Lewis, cut inside and smashed a right-footed shot high into the net. United were trying to integrate new signing Denis Law into the team after bringing him back from Italy for £116,000 and could not complain about the result, which prompted generous newspaper compliments.
“Orient became assured citizens of soccer’s big-time,” said the Daily Express. Reynolds News said that Gordon Bolland could have had a hat-trick but for “the acrobatics of keeper Gaskell,” who according to the People “looked to have perpetrated the robbery of the season” until Terry Mac’s great moment.
