Sheffield Daily Telegraph – Monday 02 March 1931
Midland League Leaders Again Surprised.
Newark Town Win Deservedly
Sensational Rally by Nottingham Forest at Mexborough.
Three of Saturday’s Midland League games had to be postponed owing to the heavy snowstorm. Of the matches played Newark Town put up the most, notable performance, beating Grimsby Town Reserves, the League leaders, 2 —1.
Although Grimsby were in lively form the start, they found York, Bennett, and Best prominent defence, and before half-time Roseboom put Newark ahead. Hoddinott twice netted, but both were disallowed, and then Grimsby exerted heavy pressure for lengthy spell, the home defence performing brilliantly. Morton centred well for McLean score the home side’s second goal, and eight minutes from the end Moulson netted for Grimsby. Newark deserved their success.
A last-minute penalty goal enabled Barnsley Reserves draw at Oakwell with Gainsborough Trinity, who were the better team. With four inches of snow covering the ground good football was out of the question, but Gainsborough adapted themselves to the conditions much the better. Barnsley lacked penetrative power, and had it not been for some good saves by Lampard they would have been beaten.
The backs did not inspire confidence, and Todd was the pick of a moderate middle line. Murfin was the most energetic of a forward line which lacked cohesion.
Gainsborough were well served Gerald Fell, former Barnsley centre-half, with Mills and Robinson the best forwards. Barnsley were three times behind, Mills, Robinson, and Clayton scoring for Gainsborough, and Kerry, Harston, and Ridyard (penalty) for Barnsley.
Doncaster Rovers Reserves, with a centre-half at centre-forward, and junior on trial outside-right, surprised Bradford Reserves at Belle Vue by winning 1—0.
Bradford were the better side in the second half, but threw away several chances scoring through had finishing. Tate, however, displayed wonderful anticipation and judgment in the Rovers’ goal, while Smith and Shaw gave a heartening display under difficult conditions. Radford scored the only goal aften ten minutes, and this might easily have been added to during the opening half with the Rovers the better side.
It was a keenly fought game played in a snowstorm. Foster, C. Price, and Barber were prominent for the Rovers, and Ward, Harkin, Hogg, Rhodes, and Gibbs for Bradford.
Defeated After Leading 4—0.
Mexborough Athletic, home, led Nottingham Forest Reserves 4-0 up to last half-hour, when the Forest rallied brilliantly to eventually win 5-4
Considering the snowy conditions the football was surprisingly good. Mexborough had good first-half during which Bungay, Danford, and Rodgerson scored, Atkinson netting shortly after the restart. Up then the young Mexborough backs and half-backs played convincingly but, subsequently they crumpled against the persistent Forest attack which earned goals through Stocks, Brown (3), and Mackay. Three were scored inside five minutes.
After being level time Rotherham United Reserves were defeated 6-1 Hull City Reserves, at Hull. The defeat was due to weakness in defence although Ward gave a meritorious display in goal.
Smailes, scored the visitors’ goal from a freekick, and was tower of strength at centre-half but lacked support. Orr and Bridges hung on the ball too long, while Parkin lacked speed. Stobbart and Bembridge, the backs, were overworked.
Hull’s goals were obtained by Raleigh (two), Duncan, Harris, and Cooke.
The snow proved handicap at Denaby, but there was much good football and Denaby United fully deserved their 6 – 4 win over Boston. Up to halftime, when they led by goals scored by Sheldon, Gilchrist, and Skeels, Denaby had the major portion of the play. Sheldon went to complete his “hat trick” and Munday added the sixth from Skeel’s centre.
Pearson (two), Taylor (own goal), and Flynn from penalty with the last kick the match scored for Boston. Hughes played a great game Denaby’s halfback line.
Chesterfield Fall Away.
Chesterfield Reserves opened the scoring at Lincoln, but flattered to deceive, and were beaten by the City Reserves 4 – 1.
The score at the interval was 1—1, and was true reflex up then, but in the second half Lincoln improved, whilst the Chesterfield attack fell away. Lax was the most prominent of the Lincoln attack, and Beedall the outstanding figure of the visiting forwards. Jarvis, in Chesterfield’s goal, made some very smart clearances. Thursby (two), Atkinson, and Lax scored for Lincoln, and Beedall for Chesterfield.