Sheffield Daily Telegraph – Monday 16 December 1929
Midland League.
Wath Without Win In Twelve Games.
Denaby Disappoint.
Of the eleven Midland League matches definitely decided on Saturday not one ended in a draw. Included among the losers were Wath Athletic, who have only collected one point in the last twelve games. After turning round on level terms with Barnsley Reserves at Oakwell, on Saturday, Wath Athletic failed to stay the pace and were defeated 4—l. Harron gave Barnsley the lead in the first half but Hargreaves equalised. In the second half Barnsley were always dangerous John Wallbanks was lively leader, and Harron and Mears formed a strong wing. The latter scored two goals and this was followed by one from Ridyard, who was the best half-back view. Nettleton in the Wath goal played a brilliant game and saved his side from a greater defeat.
Denaby sadly disappointed by losing at home to Grantham. Though set to face the wind Denaby scored first, Taylor getting a spectacular goal. Grantham got two quick goals through Morgan and Sullivan just before the interval. Dickson, who scored the only goal of the second half increased the lead. Denaby missed Hill, their centre half who was transferred to Wolverhampton Wanderers during the week. Grantham deserved win because they accepted chances.
Remarkable Change.
Owing the absence through illness of their goalkeeper, Butcher, Staveley Town were obliged to make changes Lincoln, Perry, who should have played centre-forward, kept goal, and Payne, the trainer, was included in the front line”. Staveley lost 5—1. Led by Tremeling Staveloy gave a good display in the first half and led 1-0 at the interval, Revill having scored. After half-time the game underwent a remarkable change. The City Reserves, with the wind their backs were particularly lively, and they scored five goals without reply. Fisher (who was playing against his old club) and Jenkins each got two goals and Kitching obtained the other.
Three quick goals by Frickley had a disheartening effect on Gainsborough, who had to admit a 4—1 defeat to better side.
The first ten minutes were evenly contested, but then the Trinity, faded away completely, and the lively Frickley forwards nonplussed the visitors’ defence by getting three goals in a quarter of an hour. Brewin scored about what the first. Wade added the second, and Gregson scored the third. Gainsborough rallied towards the interval, and Shaw scored following a corner kick. In the second half Gregson added a fourth for Frickley from Brewin’s centre. Well led by Carlton, the Frickley forwards gave their beat display of the season. The two extreme wingers, Gregson and were brilliant. Conway did well in the visitors’ goal.
Wombwell Unfortunate.
Shirebrook defeated Rotherham Reserves 2—1. Though both teams showed clever approach work, their finishing was weak. The absence of Binns weakened Shirebrook’s attack. The home team were clever in defence, Gellatly being a skilful partner for skipper Evans. Emery kept an excellent goal for Rotherham, and crowned splendid afternoon’s work by saving a penalty from Evans. The three goals were scored in the last 20 minutes of the game, Bowater and Keightley getting through for the winners, and Bratley for Rotherham.
The meeting of Bradford Reserves and Chesterfield Reserves produced a rousing struggle, and the honours went the home side by 3 – 2. Peake, the Chesterfield goalkeeper, gave an exceptionally brilliant display The strongest part of visitors’ side was the defence, although there were times when their forwards showed considerable dash. Rhodes, Smith, and Scott scored for Bradford, and Clayton and Hunt for Chesterfield.
By the odd goal in three Scarborough managed to get both points at Wombwell. They were fortunate, for they got a snap goal in the first three minutes. Wombwell gave a really commendable display, having regard to the fact that after ten minutes they were deprived of the services of their back, Hepworth, who suffered a leg injury. Clayson opened the score for Scarborough, converting a centre from Keeling. Just before the interval Edge scored another surprise goal for Scarborough, putting the ball through a crowd of players from long range. Raynor scored only goal five minutes before the end. Scarborough were well served in defence by Betton. Shepherd and Brayshaw were the strong men of the Wombwell attack.
Mansfield Fade Out.
Loughborough Corinthians defeated Mansfield 2 – 0 at home. The first half was the best, and although Mansfield were two goals down they played well. In the second half, when opposed to ten men, Mansfield fizzled out and could do nothing right. Wilde was the best of the visitors’ forwards, and Chambers was good at centre half. Collins played well in goal. Woolhouse and White scored for Loughborough.
Worksop lost 1 – 0 at home to Notts County Reserves. Worksop played better than for some weeks, the forwards being smart and effective although they scored but once. County took an early lead through Merritt, who scored when the Worksop defenders were appealing for offside, and Staniland equalised just before too interval. Maintaining the upper hand, Worksop could subsequently do everything but score, and it was left for Notts to get away and win an exciting and fast match through Maw, who scored despite another appeal for off-side. Smith saved some good shots in the Worksop goal.
Newark gave a poor display against Nottingham Forest Reserves and lost 3—0, their close play being of no avail on a field which was mud-heap. Forest took the load in the first half through Haslop, but only good goalkeeping Ashton later kept Hoddinott, Brewis and Robson out. The second half was all Forest’s, Newark’s efforts being rare and feeble. Morton, on the visitors’ extreme left, wag brilliant, doing much as he liked, and two further goals came from him.
In the first half of the match between Boston and Mexborough, play was fairly even. Boston were awarded a penalty from which Levick hit the cross-bar. The same player again hit the framework a little later. In the second half Mexborough started strongly, and Stevenson headed on to the cross-piece, but the ball was cleared. Soon afterwards Osgarby broke through to secure the only goal of the match for Boston.
Premature darkness caused by fast-gathering rain-clouds brought the match Blundell Park between Grimsby Reserves and Hull City Reserves to abrupt conclusion 25 minutes after the interval, with the score 0—0.