Sheffield Daily Telegraph – Monday 31 December 1928

Midland League.

Heavy Scoring in Nearly All the Matches.

Fright for the Leaders.

Remarkably heavy scoring took place in the Midland League on Saturday, the eleven matches producing fewer than 59 goals—36 to 23 in favour of the home teams, all of which were successful except Loughborough Corinthians and Wath Athletic. Not one match was drawn.

The most remarkable match in every respect was that between Lincoln City Res. and Newark Town, for it produced the most goals, and the leaders Only won the odd goal of nine at home from a team desperately trying avoid the bottom position.

The leaders had a fright, for Newark were leading 2 —l at the interval, Lincoln fared better in the second moiety, but indulged too much in short passing methods, instead of opening out the game. Kitching and Gorringe each got two goals for the City, and Savage also scored. Newark’s goals were notched by Breedin, Mitcham, Murphy, and Hoddinott (penalty). McConville was the best, back on the field, and for Newark Murphy, centre half-back, and Healam, goalkeeper, rendered excellent service.

Eight goals were scored at Nottingham, where the Forest Reserves made a sad mess of Mansfield Town, beating them 7-1. Except for a brief period in the middle of the first half, Mansfield were never in the picture. They were outpaced and out-generalled at every point.

Oakes scored two goals for Forest in five minutes, and after one by Cook got through for Mansfield, and Whalley added fourth for the home side. In the second half Whalley, Harrison, Hague, and again scored for the Forest.

Brilliant Mexborough Goalkeeper.

The game Scunthorpe, where the United beat Mexborough 4—2, was well worth watching. Mexborough’s splendid defensive play was a feature, and the goalkeeping of Ward was the best seen the Old Show ground this season. He made many brilliant saves, including penalty taken Peter Mooney in the last five minutes. Mooney was outstanding at centre-half, and Allen, who scored twice for Scunthorpe, was the top of his form. Tom Hall also had the satisfaction scoring his first two goals, since joining Scunthorpe. Mexborough’s scorers were Shaw and Higgingbottom (E.)

The “Derby” game at Oakwell between Barnsley Reserves and Wombwell Town produced little that was exciting, and Barnsley just about merited their 2-0 victory. The first half was goalless, Wombwell showing plenty vigour, but Barnsley the better methods and it was not until quarter of an hour from the end that the scoring was opened, Coulson rounding two defenders score from close in. Five minutes from time Coulson obtained second. Barnsley were best served by Richards, fullback, Howes and Baker, half-backs, and Fletcher. Dowdall, and Malkin, forwards, Malkin playing a capital- game. White and Lilley defended strongly for Wombwell. whilst Douglas, their new centre-half, was impressive. Hemingfield, the new inside-forward, showed promise, and Adey and formed strong left wing.

Grantham lost to Hull City Reserves at Anlaby Road because their fine defence failed to hold a powerful forward line, which included several of were the City’s first team players. March scored twice for Hull, and Sullivan twice for Grantham, Nelson giving the home team the deciding goal. Grantham certainly found stiff opposition, which never once allowed them get lead, but they went down striving hard equalise.

Frickley Take Their Chances.

At Wath, Frickley took all the chances that their way. and trounced the home side 5—2. Wath were the superior side for the first minute*, and had they used half the opportunities that came their way during that period the result would probably have been much different. The visitors, however, took the lead with simple goal midway through the first half, and from this point were masters the situation. The goal-scorers were Charlton (two), Turnbull, Wade, and Williams for Frickley and Murdin and Moore for Wath.

Grimsby Town Reserves thoroughly deserved their win, over Loughborough Corinthians Loughborough. Their forwards were very smart, and shot with accuracy. During the first half Loughborough did slightly the more pressing, but Bateman and Bell, back, playing splendid football, cleared their lines. Poskett did well in goal. Coglan, Glover, and Hair scored for Grimsby.

York City beat Chesterfield Reserves 3-2 at York. The home team held the advantage throughout the first half, but Chesterfield took an early lead .through Dutton. This was followed brilliant goalkeeping Peake, who kept the home team in check until Roberts equalised the score just before the interval. On resuming, early gave York the lead, following which the home team did most of the attacking, but Cowan again equalised the scores. Just before the close, however, Forrest regained the lead for the horns team, who well deserved their victor .

Shirebrook’s New Leader of Attack.

Shirebrook gave much improved display beat Scarborough 4—3 Shirebrook, despite the fact that Kennedy, Barlow, and Miller were absentees from the home side. Ruddlesdin, from Wombwell, made a promising debut as leader the attack, and Wood the Creswell youth, was impressive at inside-left. Bramley, the extreme berth, was weak, otherwise the attack was much more resourceful and virile than for some weeks, David Mercer being very prominent. Scarborough were very aggressive timet, and were always dangerous close quarters, Jones being exceptionally so. Ruddletdin Hill, Bramley, and Wood scored for Shirebrook, and Jones (two) and Clayton for Scarborough

Dash and vigorous attacking methods on the part of Denaby United proved too much for the visitors, Gainsborough Trinity, who were beaten 2—0 in a strenuous game packed with thrills and excitement. The home team were somewhat under usual strength, but they had the most the game, and raided the Gainsborough goal time after time without success. It was not until the second half that Turner was able to convert a pass from Jenkins. Five minutes from the close Green headed in a second Sewell, the visiting goalkeeper, played a line game, and saved a penalty shot in magnificent style.

Boston, home, completely outplayed and beat Worksop four goals one. For Boston, Craven, after most brilliant forward play, scored twice, Jenkinson and obtaining the other two. Bostpn monopolised the game throughout, and their forwards missed numerous chances. Allison scored for Worksop from pass Menlove, Boston’s old captain