Denis Law

by Alex Gordon

  21.30: Desperate to make amends, Law tries an acrobatic scissors kick from a Gemmell cross, but is given offside. Law clearly doesn’t agree and argues with the ref.

  23: Gemmell cuts in from the right to sizzle a left-foot drive goalwards that is cleared for a right-wing corner by Moore. McCalliog becomes the third different player to take the dead-ball effort. He crosses and there is the remarkable sight of Baxter leaping the highest to fire in a header that is dealt with by Banks.

  25: Gemmell is sent spinning by Wilson to earn Scotland another corner. The Scottish right-back is injured and needs treatment as trainer Walter McCrae races to his aid. Johns, ‘That was a good, strong and perfectly fair tackle. The referee gives no foul.’ Lennox’s corner is a poor one and is cleared.

  26: Jack Charlton returns to the action and moves up to the forward line with Stiles brought back to play central defence alongside Moore.

  27: Charlton is back just in time to see Law score the opening goal. McCreadie rolls a free-kick to Baxter who picks out Wallace. His first effort is cleared, but comes straight back to him a yard inside the box. He rearranges his body shape and thumps in a low drive. Banks can’t hold the ball and Law is onto it in a flash and it’s in the net. Johns, ‘Law has scored.’ There is a pause as it sinks in with the TV commentator. Then he adds, ‘There’s the Manchester United man. (Law has his arm in the air and is heading back up the pitch.) Wallace is the one who got the shot in. It bounced out and Denis Law smacked it into the net.’ Law is congratulated by Baxter, Bremner and Greig. There is a handshake for Wallace and then Gemmell, making a remarkable recovery from the injury for which he was being treated only moments before, comes into view with Lennox and McCalliog joining in. Wright, ‘It’s been coming, Hugh. Scotland have been the more impressive side and especially Law. He has been a real terrier. He has worked and worked and he got his just reward coming to him there. He was so quick to put the ball in the net. England are right up against it now.’ Johns, ‘The flags are waving and we can hear the roars from the Scottish fans. There must be about 40,000 in the stadium and they are really making themselves heard.’

  29: Law is still all action as he races at Jimmy Greaves, sidesteps him, does likewise with Moore and has his shot blocked by Martin Peters. There is a quick square-up between the players, but the referee calms things down. Law looks as though he is ready to go to war with anyone wearing a white shirt. Johns, ‘The Scots are turning on the pressure and they’re fighting for every ball. They are not giving England a moment’s peace.’

  30: Wallace leaves Banks helpless with a rasping 18-yard drive, but it zooms just too high. Johns, ‘The man who made the goal for Law very nearly got the second.’ There are already cries of ‘Easy . . . Easy’ coming from the visiting fans. Banks’s goal-kick sails into the Scottish half and Baxter outjumps Jack Charlton to head clear. The Sunderland midfielder, like Law, is clearly in the mood.

  31: Not content with using his head, Baxter stops a Hurst cross with his hand. Moore sends in the free-kick and an unmarked Jack Charlton heads over the bar. Simpson remonstrates with his central defenders and Gemmell joins in.

  33: There’s the strange sight of Law in the right-back position as he gains possession and passes the ball forward to Baxter.

  34: Law is downed by Moore deep in enemy territory. Johns, ‘No foul, that was a good, hard tackle by England’s captain.’

  35: Balancing things up, Greig flies into a tackle on Stiles. Johns, ‘That was a great challenge by the Scottish skipper.’

  36: Jack Charlton is proving to be a threat as he sends in a flying header from a Ball left-wing cross that is excellently held down at the post by Simpson.

  37: Now we have Law at left-back as he outjumps Jack Charlton to nod the ball down to McCreadie who is then fouled by Ball. Free-kick. Before it can be taken, Baxter gets treatment in the Scottish penalty area. Johns, ‘He looks happy enough. He is just taking the opportunity to have a breather with Scotland winning 1-0.’ The camera pans into the crowd while there’s a lull in play. Tartan-tammied supporters are singing, ‘Scot-land . . . Scot-land.’

  39: The Scots are passing the ball around slickly from back to front. Wright, ‘With Jack Charlton a virtual passenger, it needs hard work from England and that’s just what they are doing. But the Scottish side is in full song and it’s even more of an uphill battle because of this.’

  40: Law clashes with Banks and Stiles as he attacks a left-wing cross from Baxter. The English keeper and Law are hurt. Johns, ‘England needed Banks and Stiles combining to stop that one. It looks as though Banks has hurt his knee and Law is also lying there.’ The ball has been cleared upfield before it works its way to Simpson who kicks it out of touch. Johns, ‘That was very sporting of Simpson kicking that one straight into the crowd so the injured players can receive some attention.’ Law protests his innocence as Stiles pats him on the head. Both Law and Banks recover.

  41: The game restarts with Bobby Charlton unsportingly throwing the ball to teammate Ball. He might have considered giving it back to Simpson.

  42: Scotland still look menacing. Johns, ‘England are under constant pressure and they are being hurried into making mistakes.’

  47: Lennox wins a corner-kick on the left-hand side and passes to McCreadie who launches over an inviting cross that Law, with an acrobatic flick, puts past the upright.

  49: A Banks throw to Greaves sees Baxter slide in to challenge. Johns, ‘That was a good, strong tackle from Baxter. The Scots boys are fighting for every ball and not allowing the England players to compose themselves. The referee has added on four minutes of injury time, he’s looking at his watch and, indeed, there goes the half-time whistle. England have got a lot to do to get back into this game and we’ll be showing you it right after the break.’ (What, no army of panellists dissecting every pass?)

  For reasons of accuracy, we can restart the second-half at the normal kick-off point.

  46: England kick off. Johns, ‘The English players might be thinking their 19-game unbeaten streak could be coming to an end. Remember, it was a Scottish side back in 1896 who ended a 20-game unbeaten run by England. These players were hoping to equal that record today. However, Law’s first-half goal has set England a tremendous task now.’

  47: Bremner gives England a fright with a crisp 20-yard shot that zips wide of the upright. Johns, ‘Banks was short of reaching that one. The Scottish faces are looking happy.’

  48: Lennox accelerates away from Stiles and sends in a low cross from the byline. Banks gets down well to hold on as the figure of Law comes hurtling in behind him. Johns, betraying a flicker of English emotion, yells, ‘Well done, Gordon Banks.’ Seconds later he observes, ‘Scotland are still bossing this game.’

  49: Ball skips past Gemmell on the English left, hits the byline and sends over a cross that is nudged goalwards by Jack Charlton. Simpson makes a miraculous save on the goal-line. Johns, ‘Play on says the referee. Simpson pulled it down, but that ball looked over the line from up here. The linesman was down at the corner flag looking right along the line and said, “No goal”. Billy, what did you think?’ Wright, ‘It was very close, but the linesman is in the right place to make the decision. It’s a great shame. If Jack had scored it would have been great for him, but, however, that’s football.’

  52: Wallace has a shot deflected for a corner-kick. A helpful ball-boy hands the ball to Law who thumps it into the roof of the net. The ball is fished out and Wallace’s left-wing corner-kick is headed clear by Moore.

  53: Law is all over the Wembley pitch as he searches for another opening. Bremner and Ball are still hammering away at each other in midfield. ‘Let’s forget the ball and get on with the game,’ could be their outlook.

  55: Baxter races across to take the ball off Cohen and waltzes forward. Johns, ‘England are the world champions and they are being teased and taunted by Scotland.’

  56: Ball comes in late on Baxter. The Scot is far from impressed.

  58: Len
nox drives in from the right and wallops a shot into the side net. Law glowers at his colleague. Johns, ‘If Lennox had tried for the back post where Law and Bremner were he might have had more success.’ A pause, followed by, ‘Oh, the referee’s given offside.’

  59: Stiles barges into Gemmell. There’s a bit of verbals before the match official awards a corner-kick. Johns, ‘Nobby is saying that is a goal-kick.’ Law’s shot from the corner is blocked.

  61: Johns, ‘There are two tired sets of players out there and England look the more tired of the two. Scotland still look the more incisive. They are forcing England into errors.’

  62: Ball snaps into a challenge on Baxter that wouldn’t look out of place in a wrestling ring. Remarkably, the referee awards England a free-kick to a chorus of jeers from the Scottish support. Baxter and Law look at the match official, shake their heads in unison and get on with the game. Johns, ‘Scotland only have themselves to blame for that little bit of gamesmanship.’

  63: Peters’ left-wing cross finds Jack Charlton smack in front of goal and his header beats Simpson before being cleared off the line by Greig. Johns, ‘The Scotland skipper certainly saved his country there.’ Wright, ‘That was a very close shave. Yes, I thought that one was in. I would like to praise this England side for their second-half display. They have given even more than they did in the first-half. They haven’t allowed Scotland to dominate and they have had a couple of chances that might have brought an equaliser. Remember, too, they are facing a Scotland team who are at the top of their form.’

  64: Ball has a nasty trip to send McCalliog tumbling. Law is quick to tell the Englishman what he thinks. The ref once again steps between them. Johns, ‘Law really takes his football seriously.’

  66: McCreadie cuts in from the left to blitz in a ferocious drive that beats the diving Banks, but edges just wide. Johns, ‘That wasn’t far away from being goal number two.’

  67: Scotland are looking for the killer second. Lennox takes a quick corner on the right to McCalliog, but the youngster’s shot is blocked for another corner. This time Moore clears.

  68: Law sends an overhead kick past the post. Johns, ‘If he had left that McCalliog might have had a shot at goal.’

  70: Baxter surges forward and, unusually for him, lets fly with a 25-yard effort that thunders over the bar. Johns, ‘He’s really been in this game has Jim Baxter.’

  71: The chant of ‘Scot-land . . . Scot-land’ is now ringing round the ground. Johns, ‘The chant was “England . . . England” nine months ago when England won the World Cup. Now it’s resounding to “Scotland” with 40,000 Scots making a lot of noise.’

  72: Ball loses the plot. He clearly shoves Baxter off the ball and the ref, this time, gets it right by awarding Scotland a free-kick. The Englishman angrily kicks the ball away. Baxter, socks rolled down to his ankles, stands with his hands on his hips with a wry smile. Johns, ‘Ball’s a fiery little character. He’s got plenty of spirit and he really puts everything into his football.’ The kick is taken, Ball hares after McCreadie and dumps him on the byline. Johns, ‘That’s another free-kick. Oh, there’s a dramatic gesture from the referee. He’s clearly telling Ball, “One more foul and you’re off.” You can see his mouth moving.’ The free-kick is cleared and drops at Ball’s feet and the boos from the Scottish fans rattle round Wembley.

  73: The visiting support continue to taunt the English. ‘Easy . . . Easy’ sweeps round the stadium. Johns, ‘There isn’t the snap in the England chants there were in the World Cup. England’s world champions are being made to struggle by this good, strong, fighting Scottish side.’

  75: Johns is beginning to fret. ‘We’ve seen so little of Jimmy Greaves in the goal-poaching, sharp-shooting role the England fans had hoped to see this afternoon.’

  77: There’s a glimmer of hope as Peters sets up Hurst before Simpson races from his line to block the effort. There’s a pause before Johns says, ‘What a fine save from Simpson.’

  77.30: There’s a clash between Law and Stiles. Johns, ‘That’s a foul by one Manchester United man on another.’ Both players are puzzled by the ref’s whistle and have a word with each other. Law smiles and then nods when he realises it’s a free-kick for Scotland. Wright, ‘Those were two players discussing the matter and I’m just glad I’m not down there between them with a microphone.’

  78: It’s number two for Scotland. Baxter strokes a free-kick in front of the adventurous Gemmell. He thumps in a typical effort from 25 yards that is headed clear by Moore. The ball goes into the air and Gemmell charges after it to outjump Ball, trying to block his run, and nods it down to Lennox. A quick swivel, a right-foot drive and it’s past Banks. Law, 12 yards out, gets a good view of the goal. Baxter, Wallace and Bremner are first to congratulate Lennox. Law is next and then McCreadie leaps on top of the pile. Johns, ‘The Scottish fans reckon this game is in the bag now. Bobby Lennox scores the second goal for Scotland, his second goal for Scotland in his second game for Scotland. I would now say, Billy, this game has escaped England completely.’ Wright, ‘That could be the final nail because just before it only a brilliant save from Simpson denied them an equaliser. It will now be a very hard task to pull this game out of the fire.’

  80: There’s another tussle between Bremner and Ball. Johns, ‘Two fiery redheads together.’

  81: ‘Easy . . . Easy’ is the cry again from the terracing and Johns mishears it and thinks the home fans are chanting for the hosts. Johns, ‘The crowd are getting behind England.’ Wallace crosses from the left and Banks’s timing is immaculate as he plucks the ball off the head of Law.

  82: Moore, for the first time all afternoon, finds himself in the Scottish penalty area. He crosses from the left and sees Simpson spring to pat the ball down and then clear from Ball. Johns, ‘There’s Ball thinking, “How on earth did Simpson save that one?”’ Wright, ‘You can’t take anything away from an enterprising Scotland side, but, remember, England have played most of this game without a fully-fit Jack Charlton. I’m disappointed with one or two of the forwards.’ (He doesn’t name them.) ‘But the defence has done a magnificent job. It’s the guys up front who haven’t performed.’

  83: Law back-heels the ball to Baxter who indulges in a bit of keepy-uppy. (Time does lend enchantment because I have spoken to fans who believe Jim kept the ball in the air for at least a minute. In fact, it’s exactly three seconds.) Baxter chips it onto Law’s chest, who twists away in an attempt to get in a shot, but is crowded out.

  84: Johns gets excited as Ball sends in a low cross from the left. ‘There must be one here. YES IT IS! Jack Charlton, brave and limping, is the hero. Can England pull it back? Can they get a surprise draw?’ Scotland go right up the park when a long pass from Law releases Lennox who forces a mis-kick from Cohen. Johns, ‘Oh, the referee has awarded a corner-kick. I would have thought it was a throw-in.’

  86: Law seizes onto an opportunity and lifts a delicate lob over the head of Banks. However, the keeper produces a stunning, athletic one-handed save. Johns, ‘What a save from Gordon Banks.’ Pause. ‘And what a cool bit of play from Denis Law.’ Only seconds later Law flashes in a low drive from outside the area that is smothered by the England keeper.

  87: This time there is no chance for Banks. Bremner, Lennox and McCalliog combine before the Sheffield Wednesday youngster plays a neat one-two with Wallace. Running clear, McCalliog steadies himself before launching a ferocious drive between Banks and his near post. Law is first to congratulate him. Johns, ‘McCalliog has scored on his debut. The entire Scottish team is running to congratulate him. What a way to celebrate your international debut.’ Wright, ‘The Scotland fans are chanting, “Easy . . . Easy” now. Their team is 3-1 up and if there had been a chance of England getting back into this game it has been quickly erased by Jim McCalliog.’

  88: The eager Stiles bowls over Greaves as he surges forward. Johns, ‘The England players are bouncing off each other.’ Stiles passes to Moore who clips one into the middle and the u
nmarked Hurst sends a header sailing past Simpson into the far corner. Johns, ‘This commentator’s words are getting stuffed down his throat so often it just isn’t true. England are, in fact, back in this game again. On my watch there is about one-minute-and-a-half for them to pull off a dramatic draw.’ Wright, ‘What a game. What a brilliant, entertaining game. It has had everything and I would say the courage of this England team has been second to none. It’s the best game I’ve seen between these two sides for many a year.’

  89: Wallace uses his hand before turning and lashing the ball past Banks, but it hammers back off the crossbar to Law. Sportingly, he throws the ball to Moore to take the free-kick. Johns, ‘Scotland are wasting as much time as possible.’

  90: The game nears its conclusion. Johns, ‘The Scottish fans are whistling for the referee to end this game.’ Greig hacks a clearance into touch and it’s the last action of an extraordinary 90 minutes. Johns, ‘There is the final whistle. The world champions have been beaten here at Wembley by a fine, fighting Scottish side. Photographers are now coming onto the pitch. And there’s young Jim McCalliog, the youngest player on the pitch. And there’s Ronnie Simpson, the oldest man on the pitch. Both Scotsmen playing in their first international and they have acquitted themselves wonderfully well in a fine Scottish side.’

  The camera pans around the pitch. Law is seen shaking hands with Wilson as Bobby Charlton walks by. A fan congratulates Wallace and there’s another hugging Baxter. ‘Scot-land . . . Scot-land’ is the chant. Hugh Johns is unmoved. ‘With that, we’ll say good afternoon to you with the final score: England 2, Scotland 3.’ Both sets of players line up with the band playing ‘God Save The Queen’. Even the fans on the pitch seem to stand to attention for a moment or two.