Henderson and Gordon double up as Portsmouth thrash Villa

The Pompey History Society looks back at what was making the headlines in the Sports Mail on October 6, 1956.
A cartoon drawing of former Pompey player Jackie HendersonA cartoon drawing of former Pompey player Jackie Henderson
A cartoon drawing of former Pompey player Jackie Henderson

Jackie Henderson and Johnny Gordon scored two apiece as Pompey thrashed Aston Villa in front of 23,613 at Fratton Park.

Henderson's 25-yard shot after nine minutes opened the scoring, and three minutes later Gordon beat three defenders before firing past Nigel Sims.

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Scottish international Henderson increased the lead on 50 minutes with a cool finish, before Gordon flashed home a shot from outside the box in the 62nd minute.

Les Smith headed one back two minutes later, then the crossbar prevented Pompey's Alex Wilson from scoring his first League goal.

Peter Harris completed the scoring with a left-foot drive on 75 minutes.

POMPEY: Ray Drinkwater, Tommy McGhee, Alex Wilson, Reg Pickett, Phil Gunter, Jimmy Dickinson, Peter Harris, Johnny Gordon, Derek Rees, Mike Barnard, Jackie Henderson.

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ASTON VILLA: Nigel Sims, Ray Hogg, Peter Aldis, Stan Crowther, Jimmy Dugdale, Pat Saward, Leslie Smith, Tommy Southren, Johnny Dixon, Jackie Sewell, Ken Roberts.

Meanwhile, It was a bad day for Pompey reserves after they went down 3-0 to Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.

The Blues team was: Norman Uprichard, Brian Daunton, Jack Mansell, Johnny Phillips, Colin Osmond, Brian Carter, Harry Penk, Roy Littlejohn, David Griffiths, Ron Rafferty, Gordon Dale.

Pompey '˜A' side were defeated 1-0 by Basingstoke in the Hampshire League.

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Elsewhere, Stanley Matthews, recalled to the England side, scored after two minutes against Ireland in Belfast.

Jimmy McIlroy volleyed an equaliser eight minutes later and the score remained 1-1.

England lined up as follows: Reg Matthews (Coventry), Jeff Hall (Birmingham), Roger Byrne (Man Utd), Ronnie Clayton (Blackburn), Billy Wright (Wolves), Duncan Edwards (Man Utd), Stanley Matthews (Blackpool), Don Revie (Man City), Tommy Taylor (Man Utd), Dennis Wilshaw (Wolves), Colin Grainger (Sheff Utd).

Bobby Charlton scored twice on his Football League debut to help give First Division leaders Manchester United a 4-2 victory over Charlton Athletic at Old Trafford.

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Cliff Holton grabbed four goals as Arsenal trounced Manchester City 7-3 at Highbury.

Tottenham Hotspur won 4-2 at Chelsea, with Alfie Stokes netting a hat-trick.

Leicester City moved to the top of Division Two by beating Barnsley 5-2 at Filbert Street.

Southampton still led Division Three (South) following their goalless draw away at Millwall.

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Also in Division Three (South), Bournemouth drew 1-1 at home to Norwich, while Brighton triumphed 3-0 over Exeter City at the Goldstone Ground.

Hartlepool won by the odd goal in three against Derby County to remain top of Division Three (North).

- ROGER HOLMES