Mexborough & Swinton Times, February 17, 1928

Heanor Get off Light at Wath

Wath 2 Heanor 0

Wath, Whittaker; Bratley, Wheatley; Dawber, Bedford, Dennis; Moore, Hargreaves, Williams, E. Murden, I. Murden

Heanor: Eley: Potts, Liversidge; Alcock, Pantling, Horseley; Marsh, Luty, Mansfield, Tinsley, Glover

Referee: J. W. Tomlinson, Worksop.

Owing to an injury received at Denaby Reed was unable to play for Heanor at left half back and Horseley filled the position. Wath wore black armlets in honour of the late Mr. Lord.

Wath’s display was not up to their usual standard. They attacked from the start but the forwards did not combine well and their shooting was poor, Ernest Murden (picture) went near with a hard drive, but after a mis-kick by Pantling Hargreaves should have scored.

In comparison with the Heanor forwards Wath were slow, but Heanor found Bratley too much for them. He was here, there and everywhere, and always sure, it was his day out! It was Eley’s too!

The Heanor backs were practically passengers and Eley had all the work to do. He saved his side from a heavy defeat. Wath could not catch him napping. There were exciting incidents. Once Wath forced a corner kick and following it the forwards bombarded Eley at short range—but, they could not get the ball past him. Shortly afterwards there was another melee, but Eley was there. Then Hargreaves sent in a strong low shot that Eley partly saved and Ernest Murden rushed in, but the Heanor marvel slithered snake-like after the ball and pushed it off the forward’s toe. At the Wath end Whittaker had several teasers to stop but he was always ready. It fell to WILLIAMS, towards the end of each half, to do the scoring. Moore was the initiator of each of the successful movements. Both goals were gained with daisy-cutters.

Though the Wath forwards did improve in their shooting during the game their display was not good. The heavy ground had something to do with it. The two Murdens worked hard hut found Alcock a stumbling block; Williams and Hargreaves were clever. Williams needed a little more dash.

Frank Moore was the best of the forwards and Dennis the pick of the halves. It was Bedford’s day off—though he saved a goal with his head. Bratley loves mud and thoroughly enjoyed himself. Wheatley and Whittaker were good. Heanor’s forwards are fast and combine well, but they fail in front of goal. All Pantling’s efforts were wasted. Potts and Liversidge were unsound.