Canaries cut down to size

The pre-match atmosphere was considered worthy of front-page coverage in the Echo, which read: “With roaring rattles and clanging bells, the Canaries came to Sunderland in force today.
“Streaming from trains and buses, 5,000 Norwich City supporters swelled the crowds early this morning, making their way to Roker Park for the fifth round FA Cup tie.

   “Thirty-seven special trains brought a total of 18,000 supporters into Sunderland, principally from the mining villages of Durham County.

   “Everywhere in the streets were canary-coloured hats – bowlers, top-hats and berets – and fantastic costumes in the Norwich club colours.

   “One supporter wore a Norwich club jersey, football boots and stockings, a tartan kilt and a green and yellow topee (hat) on which was perched a dummy canary.

    “Another wore a dress resembling a bathing costumes of the 1920s, topped by a green and yellow pith helmet.”

Overnight frost ensured a hard surface, and Norwich started brightly against the more illustrious opponents, with John Gavin just over the bar from Tom Docherty’s cross. Then Roy Hollis outwitted Jack Hedley and sent a powerful drive just too high.

   Keeper Johnny Mapson – easily Sunderland’s busiest player in the first half – fisted away a Billy Lewis cross, and was relieved to see Gavin strike it narrowly wide.

   Sunderland, though, took the lead with a complete fluke against the run of play on 21 minutes. Dickie Davis flicked on Tommy Wright’s throw and chased it to near the by-line before sending over a cross which keeper Ken Nethercott gathered, only to let it slip from his grasp. Although he caught it again, it had clearly gone over the line.

   Trevor Ford and Len Shackleton both went close before half-time as Sunderland, given a new lease of life by the opener, started to find their feet.

   Arthur Hudgell did brilliantly at left-back to deny danger man Hollis, who was causing constant chaos. Indeed, Sunderland had everyone back in the box, barring Ford, for Norwich corners.

   But the home side survived to go further ahead midway through the second half. Watson gained possession near the touchline and rode four tackles as he raced goal wards before smashing his shot wide of Nethercott’s dive and into the corner of the net.
Arthur Wright then tested Nethercott, who reacted quickly to smother Davis’s follow-up.

   Sunderland made it 3-0 eight minutes from time when a superb pass from Ford opened up the Norwich defence and right-winger Tommy Wright raced in to fire home.

   Norwich secured a consolation goal two minutes later after Tommy McLain was guilty of a foul on Lester Eyre just outside the box.

Left-half Ron Ashman’s shot was blocked by Hedley, but before the right-back could respond, Gavin stepped in to cleverly lob Mapson.

   SUNDERLAND: Mapson, Hedley, Hudgell, McLain, Walsh, A Wright, T Wright, Davis, Ford, Shackleton, Watson
NORWICH CITY: Nethercott, Duffy, Lewis, Pickwick, Foulkes, Ashman, Gavin, Kinsey, Hollis, Eyre, Docherty
Att: 65,125
Referee: R Leafe (Nottingham)