Greaves Slams two in first international
THIS was revenge in full for that defeat in Sofia last summer — and Young England deserved every bit of it.
It was doubly sweet in view of the Bulgarian's desperate substitute tactics. They just hadn't brought enough to hold this brilliant young England team. Jimmy Greaves, inside-right idol of Stamford Bridge, came within an ace of a hat-trick international debut on his club ground. After scoring two great goals, he had a penalty saved three minutes from the end. Inches alone robbed England of a fantastic half-time lead.
   They gained eleven corners in 35 minutes. They rained in shots galore.
But at last the goals came. Jimmy Greaves hammered in one in the fortieth minute and within sixty seconds Johnny Haynes got another. The all-Midland defence never had any real work to do, but in a few spasms of retaliation the Bulgarians made Don Howe and Trevor Smith shine. Howe, tired of inactivity, came up the right wing a minute before the interval to inspire the third England goal—by Peter Brabrook.
   He thundered in a glorious goal, and the crowd were roaring their acclaim as this young team of greatness left the field.
Although it had been agreed that there should be only one substitute—other than a goalkeeper—up to the forty-fourth minute, 'No. 14' ran out after the other players had taken the field to line up at right back for Bulgaria. Already—after England's second goal—they had sent on 'No. 15' in place of outside-right Pechenkov. Two minutes after the restart, Iliev lobbed a free-kick into the goalmouth.
   The unknown No. 15 headed the ball down on to the goal line, and Debirsky rushed up to tap it into the net.
Then the new 'keeper had to dive to prevent an own goal—and at last came England's fourth. The goalkeeper—later found to be Derventski—dived to save from Greaves and the ball flew out to A'Court, who drove it in. In the seventy-fifth minute Haynes made up for some amazing misses with a pass that Greaves with all the time in the world to slam in No. 5. Then Greaves gave Haynes an equally perfect pass for Johnny to run on to and bang in no.6. In the last minute, with Gerry Harris off the field for treatment, Debirsky dribbled through to clip the lead to 6—2.
  

The opening on the International season was marked by one of the best displays by an England forward line of recent years. The Young England forwards shone throughout the match, played at Stamford Bridge, and although the first goal did not come for forty minutes the result was never really in doubt. Haynes and Greaves, playing in his senior game for England, struck up a great understanding and each scored twice. Other goals came from Brabrook and A'Court, while Diev and Debirsky replied for Bulgaria. In defence the England backs Howe and Harris were steady, while Setters and Crowther impressed at wing-half.