Sheffield Daily Telegraph – Monday 22 December 1930

Midland League.

Scarborough Again Fail at Denaby.

Away Teams’ Goals.

In the eleven Midland League matches on Saturday 66 goals were scored, and of these the visiting teams claimed 35! Three of the victorious away teams scored five goals each, but Grimsby Reserves led the way with six at Loughborough.

In a fast and exciting game Barnsley Reserves beat Rotherham United Reserves at Millmoor 5 —3. The visitors’ forwards were foragers, and showed remarkable speed. Their scorers were Harston (3), Proudfoot, and Storer, while Parkin (2) and Murden scored for the home team. There was an unusual incident during the game, when one of the linesmen was struck by the ball and laid out, play having to be held up. Barnsley deserved their victory, although in the second half Rotherham made a splendid rally, and at one period looked like equalising. The home defence was weak. Shields, the new goalkeeper on trial for the United, had little chance with the scoring shots, but he made several good saves and clearances.

A one-sided game at South Elmsall on Saturday resulted in Bradford City Reserves beating Frickley Colliery by 5—1. Showing superior all-round form, Bradford kept the Colliery on the defensive, only the brilliant display of Calvert in goal saving them from much heavier defeat. Urwin was brilliant on the City’s right wing, and performed the “hat trick,” Whitehurst and Cochrane adding the other two. Frickley’s goal was scored by Brown, a centre-forward on trial.

Grimsby Town Reserves are the best team seen this season at Loughborough, where they beat the Corinthians 6—2. The visiting side was perfectly balanced, and their combination delightful to watch. By comparison, Loughborough were very weak. Glover, the visitors centre-forward, did the “hat-trick.” and other scorers were Dodds (2) and Pontmg. Harris and Murden replied for Loughborough.

Scarborough’s Bogy Ground.

Scarborough have yet to win their first point Denaby United’s ground. Saturday’s game, which Denaby won 4—2, was only two minutes old when Denaby went ahead with a penalty goal scored by Ashall. Dean equalised from Hickman’s centre, but Sheldon beat Turner in a race for the ball, and put Denaby in front before the interval. Gilchrist scored twice afterwards, but Hill, with a powerful drive, again reduced the deficit. Nutter, at inside left, a newcomer to the Denaby team, created a good impression.

Notts County Reserves were beaten 6 – 1 by Bradford Reserves in a Midland League game at Park Avenue. Notts wore the better team until a penalty goal, scored after the visitors had taken the lead through a fine goal Watkins, completely upset their defence, and Thorpe added to their misfortunes by putting through his own goal. In the second half Stimpson also put through his own goal. The County halves and backs were weak, but Soutar was in great form in goal. In addition to Thorpe and Stimpson, Hogg, Crayston (penalty), and Atherton (2) were the scorers for Bradford.

Grantham were full value for their 2—0 win at Wombwell. Wombwell worked hard all through, but they were up against a faster and cleverer side. Grantham had a strong halfback line, and that was where Wombwell were weakest. Sullivan scored a goal in each half for the winners. The Wombwell backs. Wheatlev and Blake, showed up well, but they were overworked. Best, in the Wombwell goal, saved a penalty, taken by Barratt.

Gainsborough Repeat the Dose.

Gainsborough Trinity, visiting Chesterfield Reserves, won 5—1, which was the same score .as in the first match at Gainsborough in October. Although Mundy was the first to score, this reverse was what was needed bring the best out of Trinity, who scored through Robinson (2), Green. Welboum, and Hancock. The home forward line was disjointed, and the ball was kept too close. Bridges gave a capital exhibition at right back for Chesterfield up to receiving knee injury.

The result of the Shirebrook and Nottingham Forest match was in doubt until the final whistle, and the score of 4—5 in the Forest e favour hardly represented the run of the game for Shirebrook deserved a point. Forest opened the scoring through Dickinson, who got two goals in quick time. After half-time Bedford scored from a free-kick for Shirebrook, and Morris added two more, the last from a penalty, but other goals scored by German and Simpson enabled Forest to win.

Newark did well to defeat strong Lincoln City Reserves side 3—1 at Newark. Although they had the better of an interesting first halt. Newark did not open their account until a minute from the interval, when Hoddinott scored. After half-time, Newark went further ahead through M’Lean and Speed, the former being the cleverest player on the field. Atkinson reduced the deficit with a good goal for Lincoln.

Mexborough Nearly Spring Surprise.

Boston had much the better of their home game with Mexborough, but their finishing was lamentably weak. Until the last few minutes Boston were leading by three goals, but, a result of lapses by the home backs, Mexborough were allowed to equalise. Boston’s winning goal was scored with the last kick of the match. The scorers were Weale (3) and Halliday for Boston, and Bott (2) and Danford (penalty) for Mexborough.

Mansfield Town again got on the winning track wheft they trounced Doncaster Rovers Reserves 4 —1. For the winners the scorers were Devlin (2) and Hill (2), and Adams got the Rovers’ point. Hill displaced Devlin in the centre, and did better in that position than the Scot. Mansfield scored three times in the second half, when they were much the better side. Too much feeling was introduced into the game, and the referee had to caution several players.