Sheffield Daily Telegraph – Monday 09 March 1931
Midland League Leaders Losing Their Grip.
Much Overdue Away Win for Doncaster
Rotherham Fight Back Against Gainsborough.
Of the ten matches played in the Midland League on Saturday only four home teams were successful. Among the clubs who failed to gather full points on their own ground was Grimsby Town Reserves, who conceded goal and a point to Grantham Town. This is the fourth point they have dropped in the last three games.
In the Boston and Denaby United match, which ended in 1—1 draw, a strong wind, allied to a snow-covered ground, made ball control and good football practically out question. The game was of an end-to-end character throughout, and there was little to choose between the reams. After fourteen minutes Munday gave Denaby the lead with simple goal but within a minute Boston were on level terms, Dixon scoring from close quarters. During the remainder of the game Boston had several scoring chances, but failed to take advantage of them.
Mexborough Athletic sustained another home defeat, losing 3—1 to Newark. Roseboom gave Newark the lead, and Bungay equalised before the interval. Subsequently Keighley and Adey added further goals for Newark, who had good players in Morton, a clever outside-left, Keighley, a thrustful centre-forward, and a generally reliable defence. Mexborough were best served Bungay and Rodgerson in attack and by Dennis and Tye in defence. Wilson returned to the home side after three months’ absence through injury.
Rotherham United Reserves put up a good display against Gainsborough Trinity at Millmoor and won 5—3, after being behind three times. Smailes played well throughout and repeatedly set his forwards going, who responded to his promptings, the right-wing pair, Cockroft and J. McCormick, being very dangerous. The scorers were Parkin (2), Coleman, Cockroft and Skull for Rotherham, and Robinson (2) and Clayton for Gainsborough.
Lincoln City Reserves were somewhat lucky draw 2—2 at Scarborough. One of the two goals Lincoln got was in the nature of a gift, for Turner, the home goalkeeper, in clearing shot which threatened no danger, kicked the hall on to the hack of Halliday, who was walking away from the goal, and the ball bounced into the not. The conditions were very bad, the home side having to face blizzard for the greater part the first half. They opened the scoring after six minutes through Rand. Halliday equalised nine minutes later, and secured the lead for Lincoln in the manner described. Hickman put Scarborough on terms again with clever individual effort. Scarborough monopolised the play in the second half, but failed against a robust defence.
Doncaster Break a Spell.
Loughborough Corinthians lost 4-1 at homo to Doncaster Rovers. The match was played on ground covered with snow. The first half was fairly level, the half-time score being 1-1. In the second half Doncaster dominated tire game, and put on three more goals. The Doncaster forward line played good football, Atkin and Hatton, on the right wing, being in splendid form. Doncaster’s defence also played sound football. The scorers for Doncaster were Wadsworth (two), Beresford, and Barber, while Dumclow replied for Loughborough. It was Doncaster’s second away win of tire season, and their first point gained an opponent’s ground since Christmas Day.
Bradford fully deserved their 4-2 win over Mansfield Town. In the first half the visitors fought back gamely following an early goal by Bradford, but they deteriorated in the second half, and the home side established a three goals’ lead. Both Mansfield goals were the result of mistakes by Robertson, the home goalkeeper. Goddard, on the Mansfield right, did some good work, whilst White and Boyser, the backs, were safe. The half-backs could not hold the speedy Bradford forwards.
The goal-scorers were: Bradford, Hogg (2), Douglas, and Rhodes, and Mansfield, Hill and Trotman.
Grantham were undoubtedly the better of two poor teams at Grimsby, and deserved to draw 1—1. Neither side showed any great capabilities as regards shooting, and had the visitors shot with more accuracy they would have carried off full points. Indeed, they were unfortunate not to win. Grimsby took the lead after 23 minutes when Moulson headed the ball into the net as it fell from off the crossbar. Grantham did not draw level until after the interval, when Staniforth shot through after enticing Binneyn out of the Grimsby goal
Not Nine This Time!
Scunthorpe United turned the tables Nottingham Forest Reserves, who, the previous Thursday, defeated them by no fewer than nine clear goals. There were changes on both sides, but Cross and Cook, the two reserves Scunthorpe had to play, strengthened the team; Cross, in fact, despite his lack of inches, being the best defender on the field. After the interval, Scunthorpe had the better of the play, and following a clever move by Stringfellow, Pattison scored the only goal of the match twelve minutes from the end. There were only 603 people present, the smallest“’gate” of the season.
With a goal scored by Nelson two minutes from time, Notts County Reserves beat Frickley Colliery by 1-0 at South Elmsall on Saturday. The game was of a scrappy nature, a tricky ground making ball control difficult, and “feeling” in the second half resulted in the County’s left-half, Whitcombe receiving marching orders. Linley (left-back) and Cook (centre half) played well for Frickley, and Souter was brilliant the Notts goal.
Barnsley’s Goal.
Although Barnsley Reserves were defeated 4 – 2 at Chesterfield, with a little more incisiveness in front of goal they would probably drawn, for they showed good approach work at times. Their goals were scored by Kerry and Hairston, the latter being Barnsley’s 100th goal of the season. The home team played greatly improved football, Robb excelling in his new role at centre-half. Edwin defended excellently. Taylor (S. J.) scored twice and made many openings. Tepper was a lively left-winger and got a fine goal. Beedall scored the fourth after good work by Walker.