Sheffield Daily Telegraph – Monday 18 February 1929

Midland League.

Lincoln City’s Tenth Away Win.

Penalty Against ’Keeper.

By winning away from home for the tenth time this season, Lincoln City Reserves maintained their commanding lend of nine points at the head of the Midland League table. Mansfield Town, the heroes of this year’s F.A. Cup tournament, made their total of goals for their last three home matches 17, and with five matches in band are now nine points behind the leaders.

Mexborough Athletic at home, and on a snow covered ground which did not trouble the players unduly were beaten by Lincoln City Reserves by 2-1. Lincoln city reaped the advantage of collecting couple of early goals through Warren and Hitching, and weathering fluently many strong and determined attacks which were repulsed that fine trio of Lincoln defenders. Hill, McConville, and Ward, who repeatedly foiled the hungry homo forwards. A “consolation” goal fell to through Higginbottom (M) who converted a penalty, but the hopes  roused were not earned further and the moderate attendance of spectators saw their favourites foiled in their sustained effort to pull the game out of the fire.

On a hard, snow-covered pitch at Millmoor, Rotherham United Reserves beat Boston 4—0. Rotherham had the better of play, and led through Bottrill before the interval. When the second half was twelve minutes old Piers completed his “ hat tiick.” He led the Rotherham forwards well. The home defence was also very safe. Boston were unable to round their attacks as well as Rotherham.

Farmery Saves Two Penalties.

After very even first half, Wath Athletic touched their best form and eventually ran out easy winners by 4—0. Notts County, with the wind behind them, played very strongly the first half, but the nearest they came to scoring was with a penalty which Whittaker saved: Afterwards Wath literally bombarded the Notts goal. Eventually Murdin converted centre by Skeels, and soon after F. Moore scored again. Then Wath were awarded a penalty, and though Roberts got to Murdin’s shot, could not hold it. The fourth goal was scored F. Moore just before the end.

Doncaster Rovers Reserves, scoring through Price, Wilkinson, and Barber, were full value for their 3—1 win over Scunthorpe, whose goal was obtained by Webb. A fairly fast game was seen on ground lightly covered with snow. For twenty minutes Scunthorpe wore the better side. Afterwards the Rovers held the upper hand. Farmery, the Doncaster goalkeeper, smartly saved two penalties, one of which was given against himself for rough treatment of a forward – who tried to charge him Doncaster’s young forward line again did well, and the middle line and defence, were thoroughly sound. Wadsworth and Maw schemed cleverly times on the Scunthorpe right, and Webb, outside-left, was another dangerous forward. Watson kept a brilliant goal.

The hard, snow-covered ground at Tickhill made the going tricky, especially for York, the visitors, but despite this they adapted themselves bettor to the conditions than Denaby and played prettier football. The Denaby wingers were the most useful for their side and Hancock’s solo run right the field to end in a centre to Turner, whose subsequent shot hit the was the best thing seen Tickhill for some time. If York were the more scientific, Denaby were more thrustful and sheer weight earned out several dangerous attacks. Cowie, the new centre-forward, was their best man. Green’s goal for Denaby was pretty one. Cowie and Clayton scored close together and then Hancock put Denaby back on level terms at 2-2.

Yarwood a Live Wire.

Chesterfield Reserves fully merited their 2—0 victory over their performance, indeed, while not approaching brilliance was such to justify a bigger margin. Yarwood, who was the live wire of the front line, scored both goals, and he made a big effort to complete the “hat trick.” Cowan was given a trial outside-right. In the early part of the game he did very good work, and put across centre which produced a goal. The frostbound ground made foothold difficult for accurate shop. There were limes when the Hull attack was very threatening, but the home defence was thoroughly reliable.

Gainsborough hardly lived up to their reputation in the match played on a frozen ground at Loughborough. Except for a few occasions when they pressed, Loughborough had most the game, and but for the excellent work of the Gainsborough backs and the centre-half, the score would have been greater. The Trinity forwards had an off day, and could not got the ball enough, and when they did, their shooting was not very good. Loughborough deserved their win, and were the better side.

Frickley, who beat Barnsley Reserves 1-0 at Oakwell last week, were distinctly unlucky to be beaten the margin in the return match at South Elmsall. For the greater part of the game Barnsley were kept on the defensive, and when Malkin gave them the lead in the last minute during a struggle in the goalmouth following a free kick, against the run the play. Frickley’s forwards were always dangerous, but were unlucky in front of goal. Both defences wore sound, with Price, Frickley right-back, outstanding.

Sam Taylor’s Two for Grantham.

Mansfield Town beat Wombwell on the Field Mill ground by 4—1, and it might have been more in the second half but for the treacherous nature of the ground. Cooke opened the scoring for Mansfield, and the visitors equalised a result of Jackson putting through his own goal. Wombwell wore hard worked in the second half, but the defence played well. However, Kerry, who was best forward on the field, Cooke, and Morris added to Mansfield’s total.

Newark Town gained valuable points at Worksop’s expense, although wasting many chances, they only just got home by 3—2. Worksop scored from their first dangerous move, througn Dwane, after 14 minutes, and went further ahead before Hoddinott scored easy goal for Newark. The home side quickly went ahead on resuming, Keetley and Hoddinott scoring within few minutes. Newark several times missed by the barest margin, hitting the bar on two occasions, but a fine rally Worksop saw the home woodwork hit three times, and Robinson also miss a penalty in the last few minutes.

Despite the fact that they lacked the services of Sullivan and Spaven, who to Saturday had between then obtained exactly 60 the total of 80 goals scored by the club this season. Grantham gained a runaway victory over Shirebrook There was not a lot to choose between the teams in the first half, during which Price and Vallanco (penalty) got through for the home team. In the second half Grantham were on top throughout. Shirebrook were well served my Wainwright, goal, and Kennedy, at, left hackbut they wore powerless keep out the incessant attacks the home forwards. Taylor (the ex-Sheffield Wednesday player). Keeton and Dennis putting on goals.

Staveley gave the Forest Reserves, at Nottingham a good run on Saturday, and only lost to a strong team by 3—2. It was close on half-time when, first Oakes and then Jennings scored for the Forest, but five minutes after the change Eggleshaw got one for Staveley, and then Meads equalised. Near the end Jennings again got through for Forest, who won 3-2