Sheffield Daily Telegraph – Monday 01 February 1932
Midland League Table Curiosity.
Bradford, Nottingham Forest, and Grimsby Level at the Top.
The results of the matches at Chesterfield and Wombwell on Saturday, together with the fact that Nottingham Forest Reserves were not engaged, left the Midland League table in a most interesting state, for Bradford Reserves, Nottingham Forest Reserves, and Grimsby Town Reserve’s are now level on points, with Bradford, who have the superior goal average, also best off in the number of games played.
Wombwell were very unlucky not get a point out of their match with the champions, Grimsby Town Res., at Wombwell. Grimsby were undoubtedly the superior side in the first half, hut afterwards Wombwell rose to the occasion, and gave the visitors a rare shaking. The first half was goalless, but two minutes after resuming Dodds gave Grimsby the lead. For the next half hour Wombwell dominated the play, and the equaliser came with neat header from Briggs. Then the Wombwell defence made their only bad slip by letting Holmes get through to put Grimsby ahead again. Wombwell were well served Auckland, Waring, Briggs, and the full-backs, Hopkinaon and Hobson. Grimsby’s strong man was the pivot, Betmead. Armitage and Moralee were clever forwards.
Denaby started badly against Mansfield, and Small put the visitors ahead with a strong shot after Clarke load swung the ball right across the field to him. After that Denaby played better, but the second goal came from Small, who again had to thank Clarke for the chance. Wraith reduced the lead tapping a pass from Siddall, which dropped almost on the goal line. Small again took a hand and made the goal which Shuter shot. Moss scored two goals late on. Davis, Mansfield’s centre-half, was outstanding and next to him Taylor, Denaby’s right back, was best.
Mexborough Athletic and Lincoln City Reserves played a 3—3 draw at Hampden Road in a game of changing fortunes. Twice Marsh equalised for Lincoln after Harvey and Coleman had given Mexborough the lead. In tho second half Mexborough were without Davis, loft-half, who strained a leg shortly before the interval but Lincoln fell away after gaining the lead through Edwards, and after Coleman (penalty) had equalised for Mexborough, the home side finished strongly..
Scunthorpe Checked.
Doncaster Rovers Reserves, who the previous week beat Boston 9—1, put a check to Scunthorpe United’s recent winning sequence at Scunthorpe, on Saturday. After Scunthorpe had opened the scoring through a clever goal by Reed (who was again watched by League club representatives), Doncaster drew level through Yeardley, and went on to win two more goals scored by Beresford. On the run of the play there was little chose between the sides, although Doncaster had little more snap about their work than Scunthorpe.
Sullivan’s “Hat Trick.”
Chesterfield Reserves are to be congratulated on their 2-1 victory over Bradford Reserves. While Bradford were impressive in midfield, especially in passing. Chesterfield had what advantage there was in finishing. Kidd, an amateur left-back from Northumberland, who was on trial with Chesterfield, ‘gave a clever display. Orr led the front line well, and Cochrane and Briggs formed bustling left wing. Urwin, the opposite flank, was handicapped through injury to Frith. The half-back line was excellent, Cousins doing very clever work in the first half, and Dolman kept goal remarkably well. Cochrane and Urwin scored for Chesterfield, and Kilcar for Bradford.
York started well in this match but faded away and were well beaten. The Loughborough forwards were too good for the York defence. McCabe was the best of the York forwards and Thornton goal had little chance to save the goals against him. Scorers for Loughborough: Sullivan (3), Hacfeett, Downham, Barker. For York: Kelly and Hughes.
At home, Bradford City Reserves gained a most decisive victory against. Hull City Reserves, the score being insignificant compared to their superiority in play. Cairns reveialcd the fact that he is not yet by any means spent force, being the key man to all their movements. In the first half Stott and Medley scored for Bradford. In the second portion of the game Medley scored two further goals for the homo side.
There was curious reversal of form at Grantham, where Barnsley Reserves drew 1—1 for whereas Grantham had much the better of the play the first half, the second half &aw Barnsley on top. The visitors were unlucky not to win. Burgoin, for Grantham, and Green, for Barnsley, were the scorers. The half-backs on either side excelled, while Pearce and Holmes did ‘well back for their respective sides.
Boston defeated Scarborough 4—1, Mitcham (two), Davis, and Porter being the home scorers, and Wallbanks replying. Contrasting with the somewhat shaky defence of Scarborough, the Boston backs played excellently, while the half-backs were at their best. Wallbanks and Davis were well watched, and is a tribute to them that each scored.
Rotherham United Reserves, beaten 1—0 Gainsborough Trinity Millmoor, included fewer than five amateurs, four in the forward line. The game for the most part, was of a scrappy nature and was very uninteresting. Gainsborough deserved the points, for they were the more forceful in attack and might have done better but for the excellent goalkeeping of A. Birkhead, an Oughtibridge player, who was making his first appearance for Rotherham. Tordoff played finely at back. The home forwards lacked combination. Mills was a speedy winger for the visitors, for whom Robinson scored.