Sheffield Daily Telegraph – Monday 31 October 1921
Midland League.
Leaders Spring a Surprise at Hillsborough.
A mixed Grimsby Town Reserves eleven there were nine team changes—sprang a tremendous surprise at, Hillsborough, where they defeated Wednesday Reserves by 2—0. Owing to the high wind, accurate football was out of the question, but there were times when the exchanges reached a highly exciting point.
When Grimsby crossed over with the lead (a penalty goal by A. Smith) it appeared odds against the visitors maintaining their advantage, but their defence rose to the occasion in brilliant fashion, and when A. Smith slipped away midway through the half for J. Miller to the second goal in a sensational fashion the result was practically assured. The best back on the field was H. Miller, while Carmichael (centre-half) and A. Smith (left winger) also did well. The Wednesday backs and halves showed to advantage, but the forwards, with the exception of Shelton, were a very uncertain lot.
Doncaster Rovers Go Down.
A strong wind made control of the ball difficult at Doncaster, where the Rovers played Rotherham Town, but Rotherham had the advantage at the start, and made good progress. Oldfield and Cutts scoring. The Rovers opened the second half in promising fashion and Williams scored, but when Elliott had added the Town’s third goal from a penalty their attack lost its sting.
The Rovers’ forwards included the e new players, Reeds and Dyson, both of whom gave favourable displays. The home halves were weak.
There was a big crowd to greet Boston at Mansfield. With the wind behind them, Mansfield scored twice during the first half, Irvine putting through his own goal and Staniforth adding a second. Boston made many dangerous raids on Groves’s charge, and the way they swung the ball from wing to wing had the home defenders guessing at times. On changing ends Mansfield still had a little the better of the struggle, but within half a minute of time Manning drove the ball into the net off Peach. The Town won by 2 – 1.
Wombwell beat Harrogate by 2 – 1 at Wombwell. The wind spoilt play, which was very scrappy at first. Then Wombwell improved, the forwards combining finely. Parton, Willis and Woods were very clever, and Gale was well tested, and executed many smart clearances. Kaye kicked wide from a penalty kick awarded for “hands” by Bell, of Harrogate. Later Woods, and Willis scored.
After the interval the visitors scored through Smith, and Wombwell showed an all-round improvement. Smelt played better at centre-half, and Willis was quick and clever at centre forward,
The Way of the Wind.
Scunthorpe only managed to share the points in their home match with Worksop, but few could find fault with the result. The strong wind was a big factor, and each side made the most of it when it was favourable. The result was a draw of 2-2. William Froggatt opened the scoring for Worksop and Charlesworth, with a really brilliant individual effort scored their second goal.
On changing ends, Scunthorpe drew level within five minutes, Ackroyd (penalty) and Whitham being the scorers. Worksop’s four substitutes did not let them down, and the team was well balanced. Ackroyd was the better of the two home backs, but the halves were not up to the mark. Whitham, Road, and Meredith were the pick of the forwards.
Hull City Reserves looked like having an easy victory over Lincoln City when the sides met at Hull. After a tame opening, Garrett got through and shortly afterwards Davies scored, from a penalty. Lincoln were, however, the better side in the second half. Simpson and Greaves scoring.
Castleford lost by 2-1 to Denaby United at Castleford. The first half’s play was tame owing to the prevailing wind. On turning round, Burkinshaw got a goal for the United with a long shot which surprised the Castleford goalkeeper, and immediately afterwards Roe headed the equaliser from a corner.
The game changed in a marvellous manner, lively exchanges taking place, and Lee made a couple of wonderful saves from Hoggard and Roe. In a Denaby attack, Milton slipped and let in Ballance who netted with a good shot.
Brilliant Goalkeeping by Sutcliffe.
At Oakwell, Rotherham County Reserves in a very interesting and fast game were beaten 2 – 0 by Barnsley‘s second string. The home vanguard, well assisted by the intermediate line, were, for the major portion of the game continually on the attack and Sutcliffe played a great game in the Rotherham goal, saving his side from a heavy defeat.
Redford and Ruddlesdin scored good goals, and Spoors was very conspicuous by his accurate passing and shooting. Rotherham’s forwards were well held and in consequence Thorpe had little to do. Wragg and Dallinson came through a lot of hard work very creditably, though at, times they were shaky.
Gainsborough Trinity in their first game against Wakefield City, at Wakefield, lost by the odd goal to a side which showed vastly improved form, especially in the first half, when, aided by a strong wind they kept the Trinity constantly on the run.
The Wakefield team included Fury, an outside left, from the Barnsley Pogmoor district, who last season scored over 50 goals from the wing in the Sheffield League. It was a lively game, Humphries, the City’s new centre-forward, being much in evidence. Wakefield scored in the first five minutes through Mitchell, the right half-back.
Mexborough thoroughly deserved to share the points in their home match with Nottingham Forest Reserves. They came near to scoring once or twice in the first half and after the interval, when they, had the strong wind in their favour, they completely monopolised the play. Armitage missed one or two good chances, but he gave his side the equaliser from a penalty in the second half.
The visitor’s goal was scored three minutes from the interval by Ronald, who heat Glover in an exciting race for goal, and gave Cope no chance whatever with a fine low shot. J. Ingham made a fairly successful debut at inside left, though Reed, who returned to the other inside position, was disappointing. The pick of the home forwards was Cox.