CandH blogger Allen Cummings remembers a tremendous double figure scoreline
When West Ham laboured to a 2-1 victory over Fourth Division Bury at Gigg Lane in a Milk Cup Second Round first leg back in 1983, few could have imagined just what would happen when the teams faced each other in the second leg at Upton Park three weeks later.
A Hammers victory was expected, but as all us long-standing West Ham fans know, nothing can be taken for granted, especially in cup games.
Just 10,896 fans were there up on the night, a disappointing turnout, but those hardly souls were the lucky ones, and the missing fans were left to rue their decision to stay at home, as West Ham turned on a ‘perfect 10’ performance, recording their highest ever score in a senior competitive fixture.
Tony Cottee, just 19 at the time, set the tone for the evening, netting after just two minutes. Bury’s spirited response won them a penalty soon afterward, but the spot kick struck a post and the rebound was blasted over the bar. A let off for the Hammers, and TC in particular took full advantage.
The little striker completed his hat-trick before half time, with Alvin Martin and Trevor Brooking adding to that total. There was no let-up after the break – Alan Devonshire bagging a brace, Brooking grabbing his second, Ray Stewart converting a penalty and Cottee weighing in with his fourth goal of the game.
As an odd footnote to the game, despite being at the centre of a shell-shocked defence, John Lyall had seen enough of Bury No.5 Paul Hilton to splash out £100,00 for his services just a few months later.
