Sheffield Daily Telegraph – Monday 17 April 1922
Midland League.
Grimsby Make Short Work of Harrogate.
Leading Teams in Form.
Another good crowd was present at Worksop on Saturday for the visit of Notts County Reserves, who were defeated by 2 – 0. The visitors fielded a very strong side, but they had to acknowledge defeat to a better-balanced combination. The star artist of the day was undoubtedly Wilfred Simmonite, the Worksop right-half, who was in brilliant form. Lawrie also played well, and Brown and his backs were always in the right place at the right time. The visitors included the ex-Kiveton Park player, Edward Shepherd, who had played for the Park in every position except goal when Notts County secured him last month. In the first half Charlesworth scored for the Town, and in the second Lihey increased the lead froth an accurately placed corner kick by Banks. The attendance was 2,985 (£134 6s. 9d.).
The Wednesday Reserves gained a deserved success at Hillsborough against Wath Athletic, whom they beat by 3 – 0. The strong wind spoiled several good movements by both teams. Clever work on the left wing led to Ratcliffe scoring the first goal. Hall got the second by making the, most of an opportunity, and Ratcliffe the third from the penalty spot. The outstanding men on the home side were Holmes and O’Neill, though the latter was prone to overkick his forwards, and Levick and Wolfe. Of the Wath players, Wroe, the small but tireless centre-forward, took the eye most, and the backs, Gough and Williams, were generally safe. Both sets of forwards were clever in midfield, but weak in finishing.
“Hat Trick” by Casson.
On their own grOund Harrogate were beaten by a superior team in Grimsby Town Reserves, who won by 6-0. Harrogate, in a few breakaways, did good work, Gedney having had hard lines with a shot which hit the crossbar. Casson opened the scoring with a header, but Harrogate kept a good defence to the interval. Early in the second half Casson added a second goal. Then Robinson scored a third, and Talks a fourth. Gale was hit in the side of the head with a stinging shot., and appeared dazed for the rest of the game. Coup Land put the fifth into an open goal, and a minute late r Casson notched the sixth, hus completing the “hat trick.”
Mansfield Town gave their worst display of the season before their own spectators, when they entertained Nottingham Forest Reserve. The forwards never got going. Forest opened the scoring early in the second half through Barratt from a free-kick, and Mite equalised after Gibson had failed badly to convert a penalty kick. Staniforth struck the bar when he ought easily to have scored, and then Donovan gave Forest the winning goal, the ball entering the net off Peach.
A keen game was witnessed on the Bennetthorpe ground between Doncaster Rovers and Denaby United, and it ended in a goalless draw. A strong wind, which favoured Denaby in the first half, rendered control of the ball difficult. In the second half only strong defensive play prevented the defeat of the Rovers. The Denaby right wing was often dangerous, Hamilton and Burkinshaw showing goad understanding, and on the other hand, Dawson and Hofton covered Ekins well with their stout defence. The home forwards were less effective than usual, and the visiting halves held the upper hand.
Referee Alters His Decision.
Gainsborough succeeded in wresting a point from Mexborough, at, Mexborough, in the last minute of the game. Armitage, early on, scored for the home side after Cox had failed to convert a penalty. With the wind at their backs, Mexborough had nearly all the play from that point up to the interval. The wind, however, was the dominating factor in the struggle, and in the second half much of the play was in the Town goalmouth, where Walton, the new goalkeeper from Bolton-on-Dearne, acquitted himself with distinction. Mexborough were unlucky to lose C. Taylor, injured, in the second half, but fortunate when the referee amended a decision that had given Gainsborough a goal through Reeves. It remained for Denton to equalise.
Before 6,000 spectators, at Millmoor, Rotherham County Reserves beat Rotherham Town by 4—0. They thus made amends for their downfall on the previous day. The Town were without Hurst, transferred to Grimsby. Play was spoiled by a strong wind, by which County undoubtedly benefited in the first half. Town had to spend much time on the defensive, but they were unable to prevent goals by Millership, Wallace, and Cawley. The latter part of the match was the most interesting, and Town were unfortunate in nor reducing the deficit. Hardstaff, the County custodian, excelled, and a tribute should also be paid to the fine work of Roebuck, at the other end. County added a fourth goal through Cawley.
Boston’s Big Win.
Boston gained their biggest win the season when they defeated Wakefield by 5 – 0. The game was played in a, very high wind, which made ball control difficult. After half-an-hour’s play, Barrell opened the scoring, Davis heading through a couple of minutes before the interval.
In the second half the Wakefield defence was hard pressed, and Barrell and Davis (2) brought the total to 5. Pattison’s centres proved very dangerous, and Poole on the other wing also gave a good display. Taylor, Boston’s left-back, recently transferred from Rotherham, broke up several Wakefield attacks.
Barnsley Reserves drew 2-2 with Hull City Reserves, at Hull. The team underwent several changes. Barnsley were the superior team up to the interval, but there was no scoring. Spoors and Hudspeth were particularly in evidence. In the second half, Hammerton scored the first goal for Barnsley by heading through from centre by Curran. Fawcett equalised, but Hammerton, playing finely, put the Barnsley team ahead once more. Play became of a sparkling character, and it was a great moment when, just before the end. Blenkinsop placed the teams on an equality with a penalty goal.
Scunthorpe United maintained their good position in the chart by defeating Castleford Town at Scunthorpe by 3-0. The goal scorers were Maycock (2) and Yarrow.