Sheffield Daily Telegraph – Monday 25 November 1929

Midland League.

Heavy Scoring In Mud And Wind.
“Hat Tricks” For Taylors

Chesterfield Reserves, who beat Wath Athletic 8—1 at Saltergate, recorded their biggest score of the season, and they were full value for the distinction. Weather and ground conditions were the worst imaginable, and Wath never really got going. Their youthful forward line had no chance against the more experienced home attack. The match was noteworthy for the fact that the two Taylors—“ Sam” and S. J.—each accomplished the “hat trick,” Hunt scored twice. Burkinshaw was Wath’s scorer. Although failing with many shots, Nettleton, in the visitors’ goal, made several brilliant saves.

Staveley completely routed Frickley on the Sports ground by 7—2. The game opened with a goal for Smith, who netted immediately after kick off. Staveley fully deserved their huge victory, showing superiority in every department. The greasy state of the ground made the ball difficult to control, but Staveley revelled in the conditions. Five goals were scored the interval for Staveley; Smith. Nutter, Tremelling, Perry, and Revill; and one for Frickley by Carlton. Milner scored the visitors’ second goal and Smith and Sindall for Staveley in the second half. Hughes was outstanding half-back, with Heed a good second. Sindall, too, did well centre half. Butcher was an able substitute for Armitage.

In that the wind dropped considerably when their turn came to be assisted by it. Doncaster Rovers Reserves were unlucky in their home game with Bradford Reserves, but it could hardly said that the visitors, who won 5 —1 were not much the better side. They were heavier and stronger, well cleverer individually and a team. Hogg (2), Dinsdale (2), and Farris scored for Bradford and Atkin for Doncaster. Paris, the visitors’ coloured outside left, was their cleverest forward and Wood excelled centre-half. The Rovers’ half-backs were moderate and in disjointed forward line there was abundant dash but little cohesion.

Grantham’s Fine Rally.

A magnificent recovery after the side had found itself in arrears enabled Grantham take the points from Scunthorpe, Dyson and Evans putting on goals in the last half-hour. It was stern tussle throughout, and though the visitors—for whom Benyon obtained a really brilliant goal—were the more stylish side, their doggedness led to Grantham gaining the verdict. Grantham had fewer than four reserves in the team, that their victory was all the more commendable.

Rotherham United Reserves deservedly bent Worksop Town at Millmoor by 2—0. The score was not representative the run the play, for Rotherham were attacking for more than three parts of the game, and when Worksop did advance it was only occasional raids. Parkin scored both Rotherham’s goals, these coming together midway through the first half. All the Rotherham team played well, one the best being Moseley, a 5. 1in. outside right secured from Dinnington. Despite his lack of inches he was one of the most dangerous forwards on the field.

Lincoln City Reserves sustained their first reverse at home this season, Nottingham Forest Reserves beating them 3—2. It was exhilarating game, despite unpleasant weather conditions. Matters were fairly even until the last half hour, when the Foresters were the more impressive side. Lincoln twice held the lead, but the visitors deserved their success for their persistency and excellent understanding in the second half. Jenkins and Robinson scored for the City, and the winners’ goals were gained Stocks, Heathcock and Oakes.

Leaders’ Narrow Win.

Mexborough Athletic suffered another home reverse, Grimsby Town Reserves winning 4 – 3 in a fighting finish.  Mexborough, on the run of the game, were worth a draw. In the first half Green scored for Mexborough and Clover equalised-. Subsequently,  Light and Moulson placed Grimsby 3-1, but in a fine rally Wroe and Vollans brought the score 3—3. Just on the end Burley gave Grimsby the deciding goal. Clover, Lack, and Burman were conspicuous players for Grimsby, and for Mexborough, Clegg took the honours of the halfback line. The goal scored by Vollans was best of the match.

A hard-fought game, played under wretched conditions which reduced the “gate” to nearly half its usual proportions, saw Scarborough defeat Denaby United 3—2. Denaby played really good football at times and but for weakness by their inside forwards might have won. They led 2 – 1 at half-time. Hill scored for Scarborough in the opening minute but Taylor equalised and L. Green gave the visitors the lead after minutes. Scarborough won the match when they over ran the Denaby defence immediately after the resumption, Keating and Marshall scoring. Neither side could claim much advantage afterward.-. Scarborough included three reserves—Wallis, Wall, and Jenkinson—but (hey held their own well. Harold Hill, who captained the side, was a rare schemer.

Shirebrook’s 6—2 victory over Boston Town did not by any means exaggerate the extent of their superiority. From start to finish, despite the treacherous going, they played excellent football and had quite three-fourths of the play. The attack was far more alert than of late, and Meads, always a hard worker, scored his first two goals of the season for the first team. Keightley and Binns were also prominent, but Binns, who was injured, was more less a passenger in the closing stages. The half-backs excelled, and Evans, the left back, improves each week. Boston were handicapped by the absence of Streets in goal, and the team as a whole appeared to suffering from the effects of their strenuous Cup-tie on Thursday. Binns (2). Meads (2), Keightley, and Bulling scored for Shirebrook, and Osgooby and Halliday for Boston.

Last Minute Goal Decides.

By last-minute goal Gainsborough gained the points at Newark, in a game marred a baffling wind. Newark took the load through Sharpe in five minutes, but Conway and his backs defied further success, in face of the elements. With the wind, Gainsborough pressed, and Tilbrook soon equalised. Newark fought back, and after Stevenson had bit the bar, Sharpe met centre from the right and again netted. Five minutes later Tilbrook again drew level, and after some clever play by Turnbull on the left, Mayers succeeded in beating Godderidge close on time.

Loughborough started strongly against Hull City Reserves and for twenty minutes Woolhouse, Cook, and White gave the Hull defence many trying moments. Maddison saved finely for Hull during this period. Hull eventually mastered the wretched conditions and before the interval McDonald netted twice. Close passing by the visitors was easily stopped and Hull continued to be the bettor side with Lloyd and Murphy prominent in defence for Loughborough. March added Hull’s score, and Hoyland replied for Loughborough.

Mansfield fielded a weak side against Notts County Reserves, Murphy and Grey being absent. In the first half the play was very even, hut after the change of ends the County forwards were much faster on the ball and Keetley scored three goals out of the five by which the County won. Mansfield played a very disappointing game in the second half, their defence being overun