Sheffield Daily Telegraph – Monday 23 December 1929
Midland League.
Chesterfield Man’s Run of Home “Hat Tricks.”
Scunthorpe Stamina.
In their last three home matches Chesterfield Reserves have scored 25 goals, with only four in reply. Nottingham Forest Reserves, at Saltergate, found Chesterfield’s second string in irresistible form, losing 3 – 8. The home forwards, ably supported Machent and his wing half-backs, were, on the heavy ground, brilliantly enterprising. Taylor (S. J.) scored three goals, Hunt two, and Cousins, Machent, and Beedall one each. Taylor has done the“hat trick” in the last three home matches. The home defence was also sound, and Peake, the Chesterfield goal, like Ashton, the visiting ’keeper, made some fine saves. Venters, Dickinson, and Heathcock scored for the Forest, who, as team, showed poor combination.
Hull City Reserves, who had only been beaten their own ground previously this season by Mansfield Town, were outplayed at Anlaby Road by Scunthorpe United, who were deserving winners by 4—1. Despite their hard Cup-tie replay on Thursday, Scunthorpe were full of vigour. On a heavy ground a fast pace was maintained, Cross netting for Scunthorpe after 24 minutes and Calladine scoring the first of his three goals just before the interval. It was not until the final stages of the second half that Calladine completed his hat trick, and in a last minute rally Surrey converted a corner by T. March to preserve Hull from a pointless beating. Cross, a Scunthorpe lad, who filled the place at centre-forward of Smalley, transferred j the previous day to Blackpool, played a clever game, but Calladine was the star artist, his goals being obtained by quick and thrustful play against an uncertain defence.
Rotherham United Reserves played a good game at Millmoor on Saturday against Grimsby Reserves, and their display well merited a victory. On a heavy ground the standard of football of both sides was very good. In the opening stages Grimsby set up hot pace, and they had taken the lead before the homo team had settled down, Glover heading in from pass by Prior. After 25 minutes’ play Rotherham made spirited rally and scored their three goals in ten minutes. Waring netted with brilliant long shot, Dransfield with penalty, and the same player scored the third with a ground shot from well out. Just before the interval Cooper reduced Rotherham’s lead. While Rotherham had most of the play in the second half, they could not forge further ahead. Paskett, in the Grimsby goal, made several clever saves, and undoubtedly saved his side from much heavier defeat. Waring, Wright, and Liddle were Rotherham’s best forwards, and Dransfield, at centre-half, was in rare form.
Brilliant Goalkeeping.
A brilliant display of goalkeeping on the part of Ward was the feature of the match at Grantham, the Mexborough man effecting many wonderful saves. Though beaten on three occasions, he was in no way to blame for the reverse his side sustained. It was a particularly fast game considering the heavy state of the ground, but the pace slackened towards the end. For Grantham, who for the first time for several weeks played at full strength, Sullivan and Evans (2) were the scorers, Stevenson and Wroe replying for the losers.
Loughborough gained a surprise victory at Staveley, winning 1—0 by a goal scored four minutes from time. The point was very much disputed, all the home players appealing to the referee, while the linesman also signalled. The controlling official, however, proved adamant. Play was fairly even during the first half, though Mainwaring, in the Loughborough goal, was more frequently called upon. Staveley attacked constantly after the interval, but Mainwaring proved invulnerable. The Staveley shooting was lacking in vim. Lack and Ashall, tho Staveley backs, brought Mainwaring to his knees with great shots from just outside the penalty area. Staveley introduced Winterbottom, a Sheffield goalkeeper, who made splendid saves. Hoyland scored for Loughborough.
Newark gained great victory over Wombwell 7—0. Recently Newark have been badly disorganised by injuries to players, and this was their first league success since October 26th. Newbold, who reappeared after five weeks absence with damaged knee, gave a brilliant display on the home left, and besides scoring one of the goals was directly responsible for another, giving the pass which enabled Sharpe to head through. Wombwell started in lively fashion and for 40 minutes of the first half fully extended the home side. At times Godderidge was severely tested. Hoddinott opened Newark’s account in the early stages and then immediately before the interval Newbold’s cleverness enabled the Trentsiders to put on a couple of quick goals. In the second half Newark were vastly superior and cleverly out manoeuvred the visitors. Hoddinott scored a great personal triumph by sheer individualism and added three more goals, while Brewis also augmented the total. Despite the score against them, Wombwell tried desperately hard until the close, and frequently came near to scoring. Best, Micklewaite, and their wingers, Raynor and Truswell, were the pick. Newark played well throughout, with Hoddinott and Newbold outstanding.
Trinity’s Smart Performance.
The league leaders, Scarborough, took the maximum points from lowly-placed Worksop, who suffered their third home defeat upon successive Saturdays. Hill converted penalty award and, although Parden did what so many forwards have failed to scoring against Bildiff and his supports, Keating again gave the borough the lead. In the second half, Clayton got through twice for the seasiders, though Worksop did the bulk of the attacking. Heelbock made most successful debut for the visitors at right back. The Worksop halves were poor, but the forwards played well in view of their inadequate support.
Gainsborough Trinity accomplished a smart performance when they captured full points from Notts County Reserves at Meadow Lane, for the home forwards had all figured in the first team one time or another this season. Trinity played hard and bustling football, but it was not until the closing stages that they definitely established their superiority. Tilbrook scored for them in nine minutes and Matthews equalised just before the interval. Smith put Trinity ahead seven minutes after half-time and Maw equalised, but Tilbrook and Foil came along with two more goals for the visitors, who won 4—2.
The goal, shot by Halliday, with which Boston equalised against Denaby, might have been legitimate, but it did not appear so. The scorer, in the opinion of those at that end of the ground, was off side. It was a match in which the goalkeepers took the honours, although the home team certainly asserted a superiority which deserved a victory. Senior scored for them the only goal of the first half, but Streets was troubled by Denaby’s two Greens and Hancock. With more precision in shooting Denaby would have won.
Five Goals in Second Half.
Notwithstanding the state of the ground, a really good game was seen between Lincoln City Reserves and Shirebrook at Lincoln. The home contingent owed their 4—1 success to superior marksmanship and eagerness to accept chances. All goals came in the second half. Five minutes after the interval a penalty enabled Miller to score for the visitors, and this reverse scorned to sting the “Imps,” who infused more vim in their work, and replied with four goals, Pringle. Mitchell, and Fisher (two) scoring. Mitchell, who had been on the casualty list since September, led the Lincoln pack, but obviously did not take any risks. The visiting centre-half, Bedford, won the admiration of the crowd for his splendid work.
Bradford Reserves were at Mansfield, and on the run of the game were unfortunate to go away empty-handed. A draw would have been fair ending to a game in which the Yorkshiremen were the cleverer side, and opened the scoring early in the contest through Kilcar. Gray put the Town on equal terms, and from a penalty Kay gave them the lead. Hogg put on second for the visitors, who drew level again in the second half through Kilcar, but Gibson burst through and gave Mansfield the points. Jackson, Davison, McLachlan, and Murphy wore the pick for Mansfield, and Geldard, who was the best forward on the field, Kilcar, Buckley, and the hacks did well for Bradford, The attendance was very disappointing.
Barnsley Reserves continued their bold challenge for the leadership of the Midland League by heating Frickley Colliery 2—1 at South Elmsall after leading 2 —o at half-time. In a fast and exciting match Barnsley were slightly the better side, but Breedon, in Barnsley goal, was hotly tested on occasion. Harron and Wallbanks (penalty) scored for Barnsley, and Wade for Frickley.
For New Year’s Day Doncaster Rovers Reserves have a Midland League match (brought forward) Doncaster against Boston.