Sheffield Daily Telegraph – Monday 20 April 1931
Scunthorpe Do Them a Good Turn by Beating Challengers
Some Heavy Scoring.
Home clubs did extremely well the Midland League on Saturday, obtaining all but four of the 20 points at stake, and scoring goals to 13.
Mexborough Athletic, before 1,000 spectators and in miserable weather, deservedly obtained a 2—0 home victory over Loughborough Corinthians. An open first half was unproductive. Mexborough made a thrustful start in the second half, Bungay and Rodgerson each getting a goal inside seven minutes. For the winners, Annables gave a great rightback display, Lanceley was best half-back, and Rodgerson was the star of forward line in which Bungay and Wilson were keen workers. Loughborough had good periods, but lacked finish. Lloyd, Murphy, Wilks, and Ingram played well.
In one of the poorest matches of the season and before very small attendance, Denaby United shared the points at Scarborough. Denaby took the lead early in the second half, when the referee awarded them a goal following a scramble on the goal-line. He decided that the ball had crossed the line, but was a decision which was keenly disputed. Bamby, a local player on trial outside-left, equalised. Denaby owed their point to the sterling quality of the defence.
The wind played some queer tricks with the ball at Wombwell, but the football on the whole was good and the game interesting. Each side had much the better of the play when having the advantage of the wind. Doncaster’s share of the points was chiefly tribute to their goalkeeper, Tate, who brought off some remarkably good saves. Briggs, the outside-right, was the outstanding man throughout. Brayshaw scored for Wombwell and Berresford for Doncaster.
Grimsby Town Reserves completed their programe with home 4 —1 win over Newark Town, and are now certain play off for the championship at the least, for Bradford City Reserves can equal them on points, provided they win their two last matches. Goal average will not count, the rule being altered to that effect last year.
Two quick goals scored Craven within the first two minutes gave promise of interesting match at Grimsby, but following a further goal scored by Glover, the game became very quiet. Newark showed great enterprise in their raids, but were not rewarded until after the interval. Craven scored a fourth goal for Grimsby. Best kept an excellent goal for Newark, whose only goal was scored by Morton after Posket had saved.
Weather conditions and Scunthorpe’s forcefulness checked the championship march of Bradford City Reserves, who never looked like winning on the Old Show ground on Saturday. Losing the toss, they had to face a strong wind and occasional showers in the first half, and after only ten minutes’ play Beck (right halfhack) put through his own goal when attempting to clear ball from Stringfellow. In the second half Pattison, against the wind, scored two splendid goals in under two minutes, and although Unwin got a snap troal ten minutes later, the City were a beaten side. Baytiham, Webster, and Foster shone for Scunthorpe.
Chesterfield’s Good Run
Chesterfield Reserves by their 3 —1 victory over Shirebrook, at Saltergate, brought their total points out of five successive games to nine. They had a very incisive forward line, which, however, lacked steadiness in front of goal. Abel scored two goals, including one from a penalty, and Wilson scored the third point with a fine solo effort. Holmes netted foe Shirebrook. Peacock gave a very promising display on the home left wing, although his centres had not sufficient length. Robb was again the pick of a hard-working half-back line.
Trinity Top Scorers
Gainsborough Trinity easily defeated Notts County Reserves by 7—1 at Gainsborough. Without several of their regular players, the visitors were no match for the Trinitarians, whose scorers were Green (three), Robinson (two), Mills, And Smith. Turner reduced the arrears.
Mills and Harris were outstanding for Gainsborough, the former paving the way for the majority of the goals, whilst Harris was always in the way when the County attacked.
Grantham started and finished badly in their Midland League game with Bradford Reserves at Park Avenue. They were unlucky to see their opponents score straight away from the kick-off, and never settled down afterwards. Mobbs, the visitors’ goalkeeper, was kept busy, and it was only his skilful goalkeeping which kept down the score. G. A. Taylor, an amateur inside-right, opened the scoring for Bradford Reserves, and Kilcar added another before the interval. The same player and Atherton (two) were the scorers in the second half.
Distinction for Lincoln City Reserves.
The only visitors to win were Lincoln City Reserves, who had an easy task at Rotherham, beating the United Reserves 5—2. Throughout the visitors were the better side in every department. They played with good understanding and completely baffled the home defenders with the swift and methodical attacks. Ward, the Rotherham goalkeeper, made a number of brilliant saves, and Meeson, in the Lincoln goal, dealt confidently with the shots’ from home forwards. Murden netted for Rotherham from two penalties, and Kitching (two), Atkinson, Pringle, and Ward scored for the visitors.
Although the early proceedings at the City Ground, Nottingham, ran very much in their favour, Mansfield cracked badly against the Forest Reserves, and suffered a severe reverse. Coyles scored for Forest from a penalty 12 minutes. Then Ashton, the Forest ’keeper, retired for the remainder the half with badly-cut head. Trotman and Murphy put Mansfield ahead, but Brown equalised just halftime. In second half Ashton came back, and Howie, Quantrill, and Brown added Forest’s score.