Sheffield Daily Telegraph – Monday 24 April 1922

Midland League.

Worksop Champions after 22 Years.

Gainsborough’s Big Win.

Worksop Town have now won the Championship. By their victory, also, against Mexborough, whom they entertained on Saturday, and defeated 2-1, they maintained their unbeaten home record. Worksop have been members of the Midland League since the 1900-1 season, and this is the first time they have gained the distinction.

Obviously a tired team, however, their victory on Saturday was in doubt up to the last minute, for in the concluding stages Mexborough made a surprisingly good rally, and almost snatched a point. Charlesworth gave Worksop the lead after six minutes, and scored again in the second half, the latter goal following good work by Lilley. From a corner-kick placed by Cox, Ingham reduced the deficit, heading beyond Brown’s reach. For the losers, Walton kept a good goal, and their backs defended well, but their forwards were held by the home defence.

Some pretty football was witnessed at Wath, where the Athletic had Wednesday Reserve as visitors. By virtue of superior forward play the Wednesday fully deserved their 2—0 victory, though a great deal of credit must go to the home defence, which showed up splendidly all through. Hall scored both goals for the victors, one in each half. Wroe, for the Athletic, missed several good chances, and Ramsbottom proved an effectual bar to the home van.

Fine Goalkeeping.

Barnsley Reserve were more superior than the score 1-0 suggests in their game with Hull City Reserve at Oakwell on Saturday, for they outplayed their opponents and, but for the brave display of Briggs in goal, the home side would have gathered a respectable bag of goals. Westwood, Armstrong, Morris, and Ruddlesdin all had the hardest luck, and Kay, in addition to converting a penalty which brought the only goal of the match, was always a threatening marksman. Jarvis, in the home goal, dealt very confidently with many difficult situations, and Foulstone, also on trial, did some clever things at left-back.

In drenching rain, at Scunthorpe, Rotherham Town were beaten 3 – 1 by Scunthorpe ‘United. Although weakly represented, they nevertheless played a good game. The visitors were the first to score, through Charlesworth, and Yarrow equalised before the interval. Whitham scored two good goals for Scunthorpe, and Whittingham had the hardest of lines on several occasions, .especially once when he hit the bottom of the upright with Roebuck well beaten. A penalty kick taken by Grierson was brilliantly saved by Wogin, the home goalkeeper

Revelling in ground conditions to which their visitors, Notts County Res., displayed a fatal slowness in adapting themselves, Denaby United completed their home fixtures on Saturday with a decisive 3 – 0 victory. Burkinshaw put the ball past Streets after 15 minutes, and this lead was improved before the interval by Hill and Wilson. In the second half the visitors gave a more spirited display, and Denaby were prevented from scoring wain. The County’s aggressive work was of a spasmodic character, and Ekins, in Denaby’s goal, kepthis charge intact to the end. Burkinshaw and the two home wingers, Hamilton and Wilson, played a dashing game.

Harrogate Badly Beaten.

The visit of Boston to Castleford was, spoiled by a continuous downpour of rain. The home team won 4 – 2 in a game which was exceedingly good, under the conditions. In the first half the goals were obtained for Castleford by Roe and Booth, Pattinson scoring for Boston. The second half was a repetition of the first so far as scoring was concerned. Roe and Reilly netted for Castleford, and Barrel reduced the lead with a splendid shot for Boston.

Despite wretched weather conditions the meeting of Wakefield City and Lincoln City Reserves at Wakefield produced some good football, the home club winning 2—0. Hirst netted just before the interval, following smart forward combination, And Johnson notched the second goal early in the second half. Both defences played soundly. Waring, the home centre-half, was especially conspicuous.

At Harrogate, Gainsborough Trinity won 5 – 0, Gainsborough pressed at the outset, but Harrogate were the more prominent in the first half, though unable to act through. Cowan opened the score for Gainsborough, heading Shearman’s shot from the wing into the net over Gale’s bead. In’the second half Askie did the “hat trick” with the second, third and fourth goals, and Lineham added the fifth. Harrogate were constantly penalised for infringements of the offside rule. Gainsborough playing the one-back game. The home team made several raid into the Gainsborough area, but found Harris strong at left back.

Mansfield Player’s Benefit.

On a heavy ground and with rain falling throughout the afternoon Doncaster Rovers were beaten 3-1 at Mansfield. They were overplayed most of the time. Stamforth opened the scoring for the home aide, but Conley equalised when Groves had left his goal. After the interval, Mansfield continued to be the better side, and Staniforth and Housley, for whose benefit the match was, added to the home score. The home side played a youthful halfback in A. Jones, and he was prominent throughout. Boardman and Junes did well for the losers.

The return match between Grimsby Town Reserves and Notts Forest Reserve at Grimsby looked like finishing in a draw until the last few minute when Ruby decided the issue with a fine goal obtained from a centre by the Grimsby right winger. The home team were the stronger side, and won 2 – 1. Miller (H.) scored Grimsby’s first goal, and prior to the interval Thom equalised. Green, on the right wing, was the pick of the Forest frontline, whilst Bennett also played a great game for the visitors