Sheffield Daily Telegraph – Monday 13 April 1931

Among The Midland League Clubs.

Sparkling Display by Barnsley.

Barnsley Reserves fully deserved their 5-1 victory over Bradford Reserves at Oakwell, for they were much the better side all round. Harston was an inspiring leader, and along with Chivers shared the honours in good line. The Bradford forwards seldom gained the upper hand of the Barnsley halves, of whom Ridyard was a great spoiler. When they did they found Holmes and Ogle stout defenders. Only Kilcar, who scored their goal, showed up prominently.

Chivers (2) and Harston gave Barnsley a first half lead of three goals, and Ridyard and Harvey added goals after the interval. But for the good work of Suter, in goal, and Ward and Hunter, Barnsley would have run up a still heavier score.

Missed chances resulted in Frickley Colliery being beaten by 3—1 Nottingham Forest Reserves at South Elmsall. The Colliery had a good share of the game, but the forwards missed several chances by hesitation and erratic shooting. Brown (2) and Graham scored for the Forest, and Jackson for Frickley, for whom Capstick (goalkeeper) and Tucker (outsideright) were outstanding.

Step Nearer Championship.

Gainsborough Trinity were beaten by 4—0 by Bradford City Reserves at Valley Parade. Their failure was almost entirely due to the poor finishing of their inside forwards. Both Mills and Wilbourn made ground when given possession of the ball, but missed many good chances, while Clayton failed three times when he had only the goalkeeper to beat. Green also lost splendid chance. Bainbridge, Hall, and Woolhouse (2) scored for the winners. The defences on both sides were pretty sound, Reynolds having more to do in goal than Shirlaw, and bringing off some very fine saves.

Against Grimsby Town Reserves, although beaten 2 —1, Wombwell played one of their best games of the season. Wombwell had the better of the game, but bad luck and unsteadiness were their undoing. Briggs put Wombwell ahead, running in from the wing to put in a shot that Binney allowed to pass through his legs. Armitage, the Hoyland youth, who played for Wombwell in one game this season, put Grimsby level, and Glover lobbed a shot over Best’s bead to give Grimsby the points. Wombwell did not quite last the pace. Ellis and Brayshaw stood out in the forward line and Kaye and Swift were good backs.

Oakton Shines.

Scunthorpe drew 1—1 with Loughborough Corinthians at Loughborough. Oakton, at outside-right, was outstanding for Scunthorpe, playing a splendid game throughout. Pattison, who led the attack, also played well, and brought off a number of brilliant saves when Loughborough pressed in the second half. Harris scored for Loughborough and Pattison for Scunthorpe.

Mexborough Athletic, at home, before 1,500 spectators, were unlucky in only drawing 2—2 with Chesterfield Reserves. Mexborough players scored all the goals. Wassail and Bungay finding the net for Mexborough and Higgins and Davies diverting shots into Mexborough’s goal.

On the run of the game Mexborough deserved to win. In Wallbanks Chesterfield had the best player on view, and other good workers were Robb, Abel, Walker, and Bell. For Mexborough Tye, Annables, and Greig made an admirable defence. Rogerson and Wilson were the pick of the forwards, but the home halfbacks were not as effective as usual. This was Mexborough’s sixth game in eight days and their ninth point.

Denaby United played sparkling game against Mansfield Town and richly deserved their 2—1 win. Denaby tried a new inside-right, Hall, from Rotherham, in place of Sheldon, transferred to Notts County, and the young player created a good impression. They also tried a new left back in Heathcote, from Doncaster, and be gave sound display. Skeels, who played a splendid game on the left wing, headed the first goal from Bennett’s centre, and Gilchrist headed the second. Hill scored for Mansfield after Goddard had drawn the opposition.

Smailes the Stalwart.

Boston were worth their win over Rotherham United Reserves. Indeed, a little more care by their inside forwards would have led to heavier score. Dixon, who is a halfback, but played at inside-left, did the “hat trick,”’ and Robinson got the fourth. Smailes was the mainstay of the Rotherham side. Not only was stone wall as centre half-back, but he took a very considerable share in attack and twice, by individual efforts, went close to scoring.

Scarborough had lot to thank Turner, their brilliant goalkeeper, for in their 4—2 win at Newark. They were two up within quarter of hour, Hill and Rand scoring. Hoddinott reduced the lead, and Turner saved good shots from Roseboom and Burgin in the second half, before Rand again scored- Scarborough’s fourth goal came from Stockill. Burgin, a youth on trial, got Newark’s second goal following good work by Newton.

Shirebrook were the visitors for Grantham’s last home match. The points went to the Lincolnshire side who won by 3—0, but it could hardly be contended that there was this difference in the play, for Mobbs played a splendid game in the Grantham goal. Mann scored in the first half, and also got a second after the interval. Stephenson made the total three.