Mexborough & Swinton Times, February 14, 1896
Conisborough 2 Thornhill United 0
This match was played on Saturday afternoon before a very fair gate. The weather was splendid, and the ground in fine condition.
Conisborough won the toss, and commenced to kick down hill with a good rush. For the first ten minutes it seemed as though the home team would score, but the visitors’ defence was grand, resisting every attempt to break through. Conisborough, however, pressed all the more keenly, and made things really unpleasant for their opponents, who were, however, blessed with a good goalkeeper, who knew his business, and backs who were always there when wanted.
More than once did the Thornhill custodian have to go on his hands and knees to save. Nothing was scored during the first half, the teams attacking and defending in turn. Hardy had to save a very smart shot from one of the Thornhill forwards, by fisting out, and was charged through the goal the next minute. Up to half-time nothing was scored.
On the ball being again kicked on, Conisborough attacked with a pressure that looked like business, and though they were kicking uphill, they seemed to be working better. Singleton on the right wing obtained possession of the ball, and was making a splendid run when he was charged by one of the enemy and robbed.
Thornhill now pressed, and seemed determined to score, and reached the home quarters where they gave Hardy a very unpleasant ten minutes. They, however, pegged away, and deserved to score, but the Conisborough defence was good, and they eventually relieved.
They now attacked, and the forwards made good running. They surrounded the Thornhill goal, and Meakin sent in a shot which quite took the visiting custodian be surprise, and put on the first point for Conisborough.
This put the backs of the visitors up, and they pressed, but to no purpose the ball was soon returned into their quarters where as Meakin was shooting it in, one of the visitors fouled it. From this foul close to goal nothing as at all resulted, for the goal was crowded by the visitors. The game was delayed at this stage somewhat by the goalkeeper for Thornhill receiving a rather serious kick on the head. He, however, recovered, and the game proceeded.
Conisborough now renewed the attack, and the ball seldom went the half-way line.
Conisborough forced a splendid corner, and Goddard, meeting the ball spent in a fine shot which, however, the goalkeeper attempted to throw out, and had just got the ball into his hands when Goddard kicked it through, scoring goal number two.
After this both teams seemed incapable of doing much, and a spell of uneventful play followed.
When the whistle blew Conisborough had scored two goals to Thornhill’s nothing.
A very exciting and interesting game was played, and had Thornhill experienced better luck, I have no doubt that Conisborough would not have been the victors. .