Sheffield Daily Telegraph – Monday 16 March 1931
Three “Hat Tricks” in High Scoring Game
There have been several big scoring matches in the Midland League this season, and on Saturday Lincoln City Reserves defeated Wombwell at Lincoln by 13 —2. This is Lincoln’s biggest win of the season.
Although they opened in spirited fashion and for a time showed good combination, Wombwell were overwhelmed, and six of the goals were scored in the first half. The home forwards were irresistible, and all five scored, three performing the “hat-trick.” Whalley (four), March (three), Halliday (three). Lax, Thursby, and Worthy (right back) were the scorers for Lincoln, and Briggs replying. The home forwards were well served by the half-backs, Burnicle in particular rendering fine service.
Grimsby Town Reserves, at Oak well, were strong and clever, team, and maintained a pace which was too fast for Barnsley, win 5 —2. Patterson gave Barnsley an early lead, but Grimsby’s forwards were much too good for the opposition, and goals were obtained by Glover (two), Craven (two), and Armitage. In the last minute Ashton, who missed two openings, got second goal for Barnsley. Glover cleverly led the winners’ attack, and Fielding and Ponting were swift raiders, Swaby, Wrack, and Bell held Barnsley’s forwards, whom Harston was most prominent. Barnsley were weak at half-back, and but for the commendable goalkeeping of Lampard, Grimsby’s victory would have been more pronounced. Ridyard, the Barnsley centre-half, failed with penalty kick.
Against Chesterfield Reserves at Scarborough the home side paid the penalty of poor finishing, and could only draw 2—2. On heavy ground the visitors swung the ball about to good purpose, and after Scarborough had opened the scoring through Hickman, Chesterfield, in two sharp attacks, put a couple of goals through Walker and Wallbanks. Scarborough equalised in the second hah through Hickman. Jarvis, the Chesterfield goal, was kept busy the closing stages, but his keeping was one of the brightest features of a somewhat tame match.
Shirebrook in Form.
Shirebrook deserved their win over Scunthorpe. Their display throughout was excellent, with Wilcooks, at centre-half, outstanding. Holmes, a reservist, who appeared at outside-right, was also prominent, but the feature of the match was the sound defensive work of Shipman and L. Smith and the brilliance of Wilson in goal. Kaye was the pick the forwards. Scunthorpe were seldom dangerous. Kaye (two) and Morris scored.
Bradford Reserves were fortunate to win at Grantham, where the Town missed their regular goalkeeper, Mobbs, injured. Robertson, last year with Grantham, gave a brilliant exhibition of goalkeeping for the visitors, and had a great deal to do with their success. Lloyd, at left back, also pave a superb display. The scorers were Atherton (two) and Douglas for Bradford, and Sullivan for Grantham.
After gaining an early lead of two goals, Bradford City Reserves had to struggle hard to defeat Loughborough by 5 — 3. A little more steadiness in front of goal and the visitors would probably have avoided defeat. Murphy, at centre-half, was a tower of strength for Loughborough, while Whitehurst and Smith played well for Bradford. Smith (two), Mall, Bainbridge, and Cochrane-scored for Bradford, and Wilks (two) and Harris for the visitors.