Sheffield Daily Telegraph – Monday 05 November 1928

Midland League
Heavy Scoring in a Full Programme.
York Man’s Five Goals.

There was a full programme of matches in the Midland League, 13 games being played. Scoring again ruled high, 56 goals being notched.

Bowen (York City) scored five of his side’s six goals against Hull City Reserves.

Worksop played very good football at Mansfield Town, and were unlucky to be beaten 2—0 by the leaders, particularly as they were awarded a penalty, from which Robinson, who played well at centre half, hit the cross-bar. Mansfield deserved their victory on the run of the game. They had many scoring chances, although they only scored twice through Staniforth in the first half. The two Moores, Robinson, Allison, and the backs did best for the visitors and McLachlan, Chambers, Kay, and Jackson for Mansfield.

A goalless draw was a fair result the scrappy game at Oakwell between Barnsley Reserves and Notts County Reserves. Both teams lacked cohesion, but Barnsley had slightly the better of matters, Robertson in the County goal making some good saves. Richards kicked well for Barnsley, whilst Hunt, who comes from Regent Street Cons., the club from which Barnsley secured Tilson, along with Coote, of Treeton, did well in the forward line.

 Wath Athletic lost 3-1 at home to Gainsborough, but had the score been reversed they would not have been flattered on the run the play. There is no doubt that an early goal, scored by Myers in the first minute, upset them, but even after that it was miraculous at times how the Gainsborough goal escaped. In the second half the visitors were quite as much out of the picture, but they added further goals from breakaways through Croft and Myers. Towards the end scored a belated goal for Wath, who were well served Skeels, a new acquisition at outside left, Myers and Croft were clever schemers for Gainsborough.

A Denaby “Hat-trick.”

Denaby United, at home, found little difficulty in overcoming Wombwell by 6 – 2. Wombwell opened brightly, but when Kelley put the homo team in front after 17 minutes’ play the visitors crumpled up and Kelley went on to complete his hat-trick and with Turner and Green adding further goals Denaby crossed over leading 5-0.

In the second half Wombwell got two surprise goals through Pardon and Truswell and Denaby, while not regaining their previous big grip on the game, added a final goal through Jenkins. Denaby, when all out, were the more effective side.

Scarborough, at home, drew one each with Rotherham United Reserves. In the first half Scarborough showed a marked superiority but their finishing was not convincing. Both Noble and Greatorex hit the cross-bar, and Greatorex missed a penalty. The second half had only been in progress a few minutes when Pears, the visitors’ most prominent player, cut in and scored a fine goal with an oblique shot. Noble scored for Scarborough following a hot shot from Greatorex.

Grimsby Town Reserves, who have been playing better football during the last few matches, followed up their success over Doncaster Rovers Reserves with a win of 2—l over Mexborough. The visitors set a hot pace for Grimsby and were the first to score, through Briggs, and soon afterwards Munnings equalised with a fine shot from a pass by Wright. Strong defence by Mexborough kept Grimsby from going ahead, but through the second half Coglin scored the winning goal.

A close match resulted in Nottingham Forest Reserves beating Frickley by 3—2 at South Elmsall on Saturday. The score flattered the Forest, for Frickley had the better share of the play, but were unlucky in front of goal. From a centre Turnbull, Charlton headed in to give Frickley the lead after three minutes, and Venters, who was the pick of the visiting forwards, equalised quarter of an hour before the interval. A brilliant run down wing Turnbull resulted in his beating Longford’ with a first-time shot, but Hague and Venters added goals for the visitors. For Frickley, Hamilton played a great game left back.

Doncaster Changes Work Well.

Doncaster Rovers Reserves with a re-arranged side, were much too good for Staveley, at Belle Vue, and their four goals’ victory did not by any means exaggerate their superiority. They were faster and much more deadly in front of goal, though several very easy chances were missed. Bott, Patterson (2), and Binns. were the scorers. Edwards had an anxious time in the visitors’ goal, but Lack and Ashall defended stoutly.

Shirebrook were beaten 5 —2 at Boston. Jenkinson scored for Boston early on, but halftime Shirebrook led 2—l, their goals having been scored Miller and Booton. Immediately on resuming. Boston were awarded penalty, from which Hoyland scored, and from this point they were vastly the superior team, Lovick, Hoyland, and Craven adding goals. Wainwright played a wonderful game in the Shirebrook goal.

By three goals to one (Quinn and Sillito, 2, for Grantham, and Orton for Loughborough), Grantham won the points in a hard-fought game Grantham. Once in their stride, Grantham, without Spaven and Sullivan, comfortably held command. In addition, Pearce failed with a penalty.

Newark were severely treated by their Lincoln visitors, who won by 5 —1, and the score in no way flattered the winners. They were smarter and quicker all round. Their goals were obtained by Kitching (2), Roberts, Maidment, and Ward. Newark’s goal came from Hoddinott, an outstanding player.