'Skipper Mike Keen gets a Hat-Trick to Shatter Luton'
Posted: Thu Dec 29, 2022 2:31 pm
Team: Springett, Brady(P), Nash, Hazell, Brady (R), Keen, Morgan (I), Collins,
Leary, Bedford, Morgan (R).
Attendance: 5,175
The R’s had lost 0-2 at Carlisle the previous week, but the 6th November 1964
was certainly a memorable ‘Friday Night is Rangers Night’ occasion!
A report of the match follows:
‘One down after 13 minutes, Rangers staged a ruthless, second-half blitzkrieg
at Loftus Road on Friday night. And the man behind the goal-storm? Who else but
skipper Mike Keen, the half-back whose lethal shooting power has brought him 10 goals
this season, including three against Luton.
Keen stamped his personality all over this game. He slammed in two penalties with
contemptuous ease, flicked in another goal with his head and laid on another two
for his inside-forward Brian Bedford.
Luton took the lead in the 13th minute when Peter Springett allowed a feeble shot
from Pleat to sneak into the net. And they still looked capable of taking at least
one point home even after Bedford had soared above their defence to nod home
the equaliser from Ian Morgan’s cross.
Then came the two disputed penalty decisions in favour of Rangers.
Keen ended all controversy by planting each ball coldly and methodically
into the net. Luton were down but not out. Trailing 1-3 they still weren’t prepared
to concede defeat so Keen marshalled his attack and prepared to deliver the death blow.
Four goals in less than 10 minutes was the result.
In the 72nd minute, Keen brought the ball upfield with the Luton defence shrinking
before him. A long defence-splitting lob found Brian Bedford who had an easy chance
to beat Tinsley from close range.
Three minutes later teenager Roger Morgan crashed in number five after the unhappy
Tinsley had punched clear. In the 78th minute it was Keen again. His long, accurate
throw-in found Bedford in an easy position to complete his hat-trick.
Just to tidy things up Keen decided to complete his own hat-trick and his perfect header
from an Ian Morgan centre was a fitting climax to a night of personal glory
Andy Beattie – the new Wolves manager – was at the game keeping an eye on Keen and
right-half Tony Hazell. On this form these two must rate as the best wing-half pair in
the Third Division. Small wonder that manager Alec Stock has said that they are not for sale.
Luckless Luton have now gone 16 games without a win. Before the game was over Keen, the
Morgan twins, Bedford and Hazell had ripped their defence to shreds and reduced the
whole side to a shell-shocked shambles.’
Two junior members were entertained as guests of the Club: W. Gamble from the local
Cleverly Estate and C. J. King of Old Oak Common Lane.
Also in attendance that night was the legendary Ivor Powell from Bath City, FA Cup
opponents the following week.
(Thanks once again to Bradleyog for kindly donating his mid-60’s scrapbook)
Leary, Bedford, Morgan (R).
Attendance: 5,175
The R’s had lost 0-2 at Carlisle the previous week, but the 6th November 1964
was certainly a memorable ‘Friday Night is Rangers Night’ occasion!
A report of the match follows:
‘One down after 13 minutes, Rangers staged a ruthless, second-half blitzkrieg
at Loftus Road on Friday night. And the man behind the goal-storm? Who else but
skipper Mike Keen, the half-back whose lethal shooting power has brought him 10 goals
this season, including three against Luton.
Keen stamped his personality all over this game. He slammed in two penalties with
contemptuous ease, flicked in another goal with his head and laid on another two
for his inside-forward Brian Bedford.
Luton took the lead in the 13th minute when Peter Springett allowed a feeble shot
from Pleat to sneak into the net. And they still looked capable of taking at least
one point home even after Bedford had soared above their defence to nod home
the equaliser from Ian Morgan’s cross.
Then came the two disputed penalty decisions in favour of Rangers.
Keen ended all controversy by planting each ball coldly and methodically
into the net. Luton were down but not out. Trailing 1-3 they still weren’t prepared
to concede defeat so Keen marshalled his attack and prepared to deliver the death blow.
Four goals in less than 10 minutes was the result.
In the 72nd minute, Keen brought the ball upfield with the Luton defence shrinking
before him. A long defence-splitting lob found Brian Bedford who had an easy chance
to beat Tinsley from close range.
Three minutes later teenager Roger Morgan crashed in number five after the unhappy
Tinsley had punched clear. In the 78th minute it was Keen again. His long, accurate
throw-in found Bedford in an easy position to complete his hat-trick.
Just to tidy things up Keen decided to complete his own hat-trick and his perfect header
from an Ian Morgan centre was a fitting climax to a night of personal glory
Andy Beattie – the new Wolves manager – was at the game keeping an eye on Keen and
right-half Tony Hazell. On this form these two must rate as the best wing-half pair in
the Third Division. Small wonder that manager Alec Stock has said that they are not for sale.
Luckless Luton have now gone 16 games without a win. Before the game was over Keen, the
Morgan twins, Bedford and Hazell had ripped their defence to shreds and reduced the
whole side to a shell-shocked shambles.’
Two junior members were entertained as guests of the Club: W. Gamble from the local
Cleverly Estate and C. J. King of Old Oak Common Lane.
Also in attendance that night was the legendary Ivor Powell from Bath City, FA Cup
opponents the following week.
(Thanks once again to Bradleyog for kindly donating his mid-60’s scrapbook)