Sheffield Daily Telegraph – Tuesday 02 April 1929

Midland League.

Mansfield Town Increase Their Lead.
Lincoln Again Beaten.

Mansfield Town strengthened their hold on the leading place in the Midland League yesterday, for while they beat Rotherham United Reserves 3 – 0 at Mansfield, their great rivals, Lincoln City Reserves, were beaten 4 at Wath.

Mansfield ‘s victory was as decisive as could be, for the United Reserves were outplayed, even in the first half, when they had a boisterous wind at their backs. In the second half Atter was called upon to deal with shots from forwards, halves, and backs. Grice (B.), two, and Staniforth scored for the Town.

Wath Athletic fully deserved their 4 -1 victory over Lincoln City Reserves, who were outclassed for the greater part of the game. Wath played clever football in spite of the strong wind against which they gained first half lead. Hargreaves and Murdin being the scorers. Roberts reduced this just before the interval, but afterwards added two more, Dawber and Skeels netting. Fisher was Lincoln’s best forward, and for Bedford was outstanding at centre half-back,

A poor game at Oakwell yesterday was won by Denaby United, Kaye scaring the only goal for Denabv early in the second half. Barnsley Reserves attacked well in the early stages, when Swift, Ridyard and Harvey made creditable efforts, but subsequently Breedon, the Barnsley goalkeeper, frequently in action and saved strong shots from Kaye and Moralee. Finney and Clegg were prominent defenders, and, although Harvey occasionally shone in Barnsley’s attack, the finishing left much to be desired. Howes worked hard in Barnsley middle line, which included Wallbanks, recently secured from Annfield Plain.

Big Turning of Tables.

Chesterfield Reserves, losing 5—0 at Grantham on Good Friday, turned the tables on their visitors in the return game yesterday, when they won 4—1. Yarwood (two), Howe, and Beedall scored for Chesterfield, and Sullivan recorded a penalty goal for Grantham. The home team were dashing and clever in all departments, and Marchent held Sullivan, the visitors’ centre-forward, very successfully. The attendance was 1,200, including 350 from Grantham.

A poor game was seen at Doncaster, and a draw of 1 – 1 was a fair result. Mahon scored for Doncaster, and Fenoughty for York. Price and Mahon were the pick of the Doncaster attack. Swift missing several opportunities. Whitelaw, of the half-backs, and Milne, in defence, stiffened the Rovers a little. York were weak on the wings, but Cowie was thrustful at centre-forward.

Playing with more understanding than their opponents, Frickley Colliery beat Notts County Reserves by 2 – 1 at South Elmsall, yesterday. The visitors gave a very poor display, and but for the clever work of Robertson, their goalkeeper, the score against them would have been much heavier. Following a corner, Bromage (J.). a reserve player, gave Frickley the load after 30 minutes, and Williams put them further ahead a quarter of an hour after the resumption. Fifteen mi runes from the end, Downham scored for the visitors.

Shirebrook’s Big Away Win.

Making most of their chances and a high wind, Shirebrook easily defeated Staveley by five goals to one on the Sports Ground. The scorers for Shirebrook were Place (two). Miller (two), and Binns. Pearce scored for Staveley from penalty kick. Staveley were handicapped during the first half owing to Lack sustaining a nasty injury, which necessitated the calling of the ambulance men and stretcher, play being held up for five minutes. Lack resumed in the second half, though suffering from a damaged shoulder.

A bad mistake by the Worksop goalkeeper enabled Smith to secure the full points for Scunthorpe at Worksop yesterday. On the run of the play Worksop deserved win, the Scunthorpe goal having a charmed life in the first half. Smith’s was a long shot which Best completely misjudged.

A strong wind spoilt the game between Grimsby Town Reserves and Boston, at Grimsby, but nevertheless Grimsby were able to avenge their Good Friday defeat winning 3 —1. Boston, who had the wind behind them in the first half, did not maintain their early promise. Jenkinson scored within the first five minutes, but afterwards their forwards failed to take their chances. In the second half Grimsby kept Streets well plied with shots. Grimsby’s goal scorers were Glover (two) and McKenzie.

Mexborough’s Easy Win.

Mexborough Athletic had difficulty in beating Wombwell by three goals to none. Higginbottom and Shaw (two! were the scorers. About 1,500 spectators watched game in which Mexborough were better of two moderate sides. Stevenson, the goalkeeper, was the best of the Wombwell team, and for Mexborough Bell and Higginbottom, the extreme wingers, shone in attack. Ward, Davis, and Beaumont did well in defence.

Scarborough and Gainsborough Trinity played a goalless draw at Scarborough yesterday before 4,500 spectators. A strong wind—at times it approached gale force —spoilt the game, both sets of forwards finding ball control very difficult, Neither goalkeeper was very seriously troubled. The Gainsborough defence survived storming attacks by Scarborough in the closing minutes.

In a keen match at Newark, the home team beat Loughborough Corinthians by the odd goal in five. It was the visitors who scored first, Hallam netting, but Hoddinott equalised from a penalty for hands. In the first two minutes of the second half Stevenson and Hoddinott scored for Newark, who kept in front to end, although Orton got another goal for Loughborough