London Challenge Cup – 2nd Round
Team: Welton, Colgan, Newcombe, Keen, Powell, Stanbrook, Pearson, Kelly, Hopkins, Locke, Wright
Attendance: 4,000
After knocking out Walthamstow Avenue in the first round, on 20th October 1958, the R’s then took on Fulham at Loftus Road. The following match report later appeared in the local Gazette:
‘Fulham’s goalkeeper, Ken Hewkins, claimed he was blinded by a photographer’s flashlight exploding in his face as John Pearson completed his hat-trick in scoring Rangers’ decisive fourth goal in their revenge London Challenge Cup second round match at Loftus Road on Monday evening.
The previous week, Rangers lost a Southern Floodlight Cup-tie against Fulham, Rangers’ reserves – the first team were at Newport – won deservedly, as they were much quicker on the ball.
Hawkins stormed up to photographer, Mr Alan Goff, and made several uncomplimentary remarks after Rangers’ crowning fourth goal. The crowd shouted: “Leave him alone.”
The photograph, when developed, proved that the ball was well past Hewkins BEFORE the flash bulb exploded. Sorry Mr Hewkins, it just wasn’t your night!
Three goals within four minutes shook Loftus Road fans. Rangers’ hero was outside-right John Pearson who scored a hat-trick.
The home team had amateur Graham Hopkins at centre-forward with Les Locke at inside-left in place of David Dunsmuir.
After only two minutes, inside-left, Edwards, put Fulham ahead from a cross by outside-left, Johnson.
Rangers quickly retaliated, and Locke headed the equaliser after the ball hit the crossbar.
Less than a minute later, Rangers were awarded a penalty, and John Pearson made no mistake from the spot to score his first goal.
Pearson proved he is a dangerous dead-ball kicker as after half-an-hour he hammered a free kick from 25 yards straight into the net past an astonished Hewkins in goal.
He netted his third and Rangers’ fourth goal five minutes from the end with a snap close-range shot.
Edwards scored Fulham’s second goal in the closing seconds.’
The R’s later exited the Cup at White Hart Lane.
Steve Russell
Wish we had the picture 😂
That Southern Floodlight Cup Match against Fulham the previous week that we lost….Was it at Loftus Rd and was the score 4-0?
I was not at this particular game but I think I was at that Southern Floodlight fixture that we lost against Fulham was it at home and was the defeat 4-0?