Classic Match
Oldham Athletic 2-2 West Ham United
FA Cup third round
22 January 1966
Six months before shooting England to World Cup glory, Geoff Hurst was on the scoresheet as West Ham United fought out a memorable 2-2 draw with Oldham Athletic at Boundary Park. Facing opponents who were bouncing along near the bottom of the Third Division table, Ron Greenwood's side were on a run of five First Division matches without a win when they headed for Oldham.
Full-back Jack Burkett appeared to have settled the visitors' nerves when he put West Ham ahead after just ten minutes with a freak goal. The Edmonton-born defender thrashed at a clearance that sailed a full 80 yards before bouncing over Oldham goalkeeper Johnny Bollands. Four minutes later, opposite number Jim Standen kept the Hammers' lead intact when he saved Albert Quixall's penalty.
Alan Bloor did level matters on 36 minutes, however, and Oldham managed to hold Greenwood's men until 20 minutes from time, when Hurst put United back in front. However, Oldham kept their own FA Cup dreams alive when Quixall made it 2-2 on 76 minutes to force a replay. Two days later, Jimmy Pennington put the Latics ahead at the Boleyn Ground but, watched by a season-high crowd of 35,330, West Ham hit back through Hurst and Peter Brabrook to go through.