1971 Watney Cup final

The 1971 Watney Cup final was the second final of the Watney Cup. The match was held at The Hawthorns in West Bromwich on 7 August 1971 and had an attendance of 18,487. It was contested by West Bromwich Albion and Colchester United.^[1]^[2]^[3]^[4]

Colchester won the match 4–3 on penalties, following a 4–4 draw.

Background

In the 1971 edition of the Watney Cup, West Bromwich Albion were one of two representatives of the First Division, alongside the inaugural runners-up, Manchester United. On the other hand, Colchester United were one of the competition's Fourth Division sides, in tandem with Crewe Alexandra. West Brom beat Third Division opponents Wrexham in the first round, before downing Halifax Town 2–0 in the semi-finals. Meanwhile, Colchester saw off both Luton Town and Carlisle United on their way to the final.^[1]^[2]^[3]^[4]

Quarter-final: Wrexham 1–2 West Bromwich Albion (31 July)

Semi-final: Halifax Town 0–2 West Bromwich Albion (4 August)

Quarter-final: Colchester United 1–0 Luton Town (31 July)

Semi-final: Colchester United 2–0 Carlisle United (4 August)

7 August 1971

15:00 (BST)

West Bromwich Albion	4–4	Colchester United
Cantello 16' Astle 30', 89' Suggett 34'	Report	Mahon 8', 67' Simmons 32' Lewis 86' (pen.)
Penalties
Brown Astle Hope Wilson Cantello	3–4	Lewis Gibbs Owen Cram Bloss

Attendance: 18,487

Referee: David Smith (Stonehouse)

West Bromwich Albion

Colchester United

MATCH RULES

^ ^a ^b "Watney Cup results". stevesfootballstats.uk. Retrieved 31 October 2025.
^ ^a ^b "Stoke City And The Watney Cup". worldfootballindex.com. 15 August 2018. Retrieved 31 October 2025.
^ ^a ^b "The Watney Cup". footballsite.co.uk. Retrieved 31 October 2025.
^ ^a ^b "THE WONDERFUL WATNEY CUP". readtheleague.com. 20 February 2024. Retrieved 31 October 2025.

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