Sheffield Daily Telegraph – Monday 04 February 1929

Midland League

Mansfield’s Cup Training Yields Many Goals

Better Midland League football has not been seen for a long time than that displayed Mansfield Town against Denaby. Their intensive Cup-tie training has speeded the Town up, and they were too fast and clever for their opponents, whom they led by five goals at the interval. But for good goallkeeping Speight it would have been more.

In the end Denaby were beaten 8 —0. Anthony, who is fast developing into a “class” back, scored two from penalties. Morris got a couple, and Cooke, McLachlan, Kerry, and Staniforth also scored. Features of the game were the brilliant wing play of McLachlan and Cooke, the dash of Morris, and Anthony’s kicking.

In a scrappy game at Oakwell, Barnsley Reserves defeated Grantham by 4—0. The only goal of the first half came through Mears from a penalty which was awarded for alleged kicking during a scramble the Grantham goalmouth. In the second half Grantham endeavoured adopt the long-passing game, but it had little effect, and Barnsley were on top. Haigh, Mears, and Baker scored. Barnsley were well served in defence by Richards, Baker, Howes, and Jones, whilst Mears, Haigh, and Malkin were prominent forwards. Grantham were well represented by Derrick, Pearce, and Spaven.

The wretched weather conditions reduced the “gate” at the Mexborough-Notts County Res, match to poor proportions. Mexborough made most of the running, an, scoring goals through Shaw. Tilbrook and Davis, were deserving winners by 3—0. The home team played open football in conformity with requirements, but the pursuit of close footwork contributed to the visitors’ failure. Mexborough’s attack was well led by Davis, and Tilbrook and Bell on the home right were always a menace to the County defence. E. Higginbottom at centre-half and Beaumont and Hawkins also served Mexborough well, and Hilton, the County pivot, was perhaps the most conspicuous player for the visitors.

Scunthorpe Finish Briskly.

After holding the lead for three parts of a good game, Wombwell had to share the spoils with Scunthorpe at Wombwell. The Scunthorpe backs, Severn and Atkinson, seemed to be unshakable, while Watson, in goal, brought off some very smart clearances. Wombwell took the lead after fifteen minutes play through Adey, who headed in a centre from Truswell. Afterwards they had a little the better of fluctuating game, but Scunthorpe managed get the equaliser fifteen minutes from the end, Allen scoring. Wombwell showed excellent combination and each side’s centre half-back did well.

Staveley were the first to score at Hull, good work by Milner yielding a goal to Meads. Afterwards, however, Pugh, Lock, and Ashall had busy time defending, and although the custodian at times made good saves, he was powerless to prevent Hull City Reserves from gaining a comfortable interval lead. The second half proceedings were almost farcical owing to the mud, and Staveley were handicapped through the frequent injuries to their players. Hull running out winners 7-1

Adapting themselves better to the heavy ground, Frickley Colliery beat Loughborough Corinthians by 2—1 at South Elmsall. The Corinthians’ centre-forward was off the field for 20 minutes, and while he was absent Riley gave Frickley the lead. Loughborough improved upon Clarke’s reappearance, but found the Frickley defence firm. Three minutes after the interval Williams scored. The visitors fought hard in the closing stages, and their efforts were rewarded five minutes from the end, when Holden, after a pretty solo effort, scored.

A fast and interesting game was seen between the reserves of Lincoln City and Rotherham United on the Sincil Bank. Lincoln had most of the game and won by 3 —0, but they were up against a stubborn defence, Atter giving a fine performance in the Rotherham goal, and the backs, Colley and Mountney, doing an immense amount of work very creditably.

Good Football at Worksop.

Worksop found opposition to respect in playing at home against Wath Athletic, a draw of 2 —2 was very fair result. Wath were an enterprising side during the first half, and especially good wing work Skeels, supported by thrustful method on the part of Murdin at centre forward, came near to reward. Wath scored first through Frank Moore, but was Worksop’s energetic Moore who equalised the score. Somewhat unexpectedly, Murdin gave Wath the lead, but Worksop, fighting desperately, again drew on terms, Harvey scoring after a combined raid. Under the dismal conditions, it was a very entertaining game.

Boston Town got flying start against Forest Reserves at Nottingham, which contributed very largely to their 3—2 victory, the other factor being the fine work of Streets in goal. Hoyland scored for Boston in the first minute, and Earle soon afterwards, Oakes replying for Forest close on the interval. Forest equalised through Jennings near the end, but Boston once raided, and Craven won the game for them. Gainsborough Trinity’s drawn match at Newark was most exciting. The home side had early goal disallowed, and Sewell’s charge later survived a most exciting melee before Gainsborough broke away for Brown to beat Healam. Four minutes after the resumption Stevenson back-heeled a beauty past the astonished Gainsborough ’keeper, and Newark later deserved to take the lead in a thrilling bombardment, the ball the upright and rebounding along the goal-line with Sewell out.

First Since Christmas.

Chesterfield Res., with Doncaster Rovers Res. as visitors, avenged their defeat  at Belle Vue by a 2-1 victory, thereby recording their first win since Christmas Day. The forward line was strengthened by several changes. Shepherd showed enterprise as leader, and Howe at outside-right put across useful centres. Yarwood and Dutton also did good work, while the halfbacks were full value both in feeding and defence. The Rovers wore splendidly served by Wilkinson, in goal; Smith, right-back, and Whitelaw, left half, while Flowers was a dangerous raider