Sheffield Daily Telegraph – Monday 16 November 1931
Poor Time for Home Clubs in Midland League.
Only Three of Nine Successful—Mexborough Spring Surprise at Wombwell.
Owing to F.A. Cup-ties there were fewer matches than usual in the Midland League on Saturday, but in the nine games played only Chesterfield Reserves, Grimsby Town Reserves, and Nottingham Forest Reserves of the home teams managed to get two points.
Beaten by Ten Men.
Wombwell wore defeated on their own ground by ten men, Mexborough accounting for them by 2—1. Wombwell had at least two-thirds of the play, but seldom looked like scoring. Mexborough took some hard knocks in the first half, and within a few minutes four of their men were down. Roseboom and Davies wore carried off and Davies did not return.
It was while Mexborough wore playing with ten men that Coleman, the best of the forwards, and Bungay scored. Davies replied for Wombwell in the closing stages. Mexborough made the best of their limited chances and the forwards were fast and clever.
A Second Half Effort.
Barnsley Reserves defeated Denaby United 4—1 at Tickhill Square. Chivers scored Barnsley’s first goal, after Curran had forced Brannan to save, and the same player got a second while Taylor was off the field, having two stitches put in his lip. Moss had previously equalised with a splendid header.
In the second half Young scored from close in, and Curran, with a terrific shot from an acute angle, got the fourth.
Doncaster Rovers Reserves, strengthened by the inclusion of Smith, the first team captain; Foster, centre-half; and Atkin, made a surprising recovery in fast and exciting game draw with Hull City Reserves at Belle Vue. On the balance of play they deserved to win, but they found Maddison in rare form in Hull’s goal.
Havelock headed a goal in the first half, and ten minutes after half-time Diamond and put them further’ ahead. After the Rovers had re-arranged their forces, however, a change came over the game, and Smith reduced the lead, and later Rorrison and then Atkin scored capital goals.
Critchley and Beresford made fine wing for the Rovers. Maddison, Allison, Havelock, and Mannings were the best for Hull.
Nottingham Forest Reserves were value for their win at Nottingham against Lincoln City Reserves, but it was not until the second half that they produced their best form. Heslop, Loftus, and Quantrill scored for the Forest.
Grimsby Reserves easily defeated Grantham 6—2. Grimsby were well served on both wings. The goals were scored by Holmes (3), Craven (2), and Moralee. Grantham displayed both grit and keenness and scored both their goals in the closing stages through Morris and Tinkler.
Frickley Players Injured.
Chesterfield Reserves were full value for their 3—1 win at home against Frickley. Abel led the home attack very spiritedly and scored twice, Cousins accounting for the other goal and Moon scored for Frickley. With Moon and Gibson off injured, Frickley played their most incisive football and were unfortunate not to score. Chapman, Fricklcy’s new left half from Sunderland, played a good game against a clever winger, Jeavons. Helliwell. Chesterfield’s centre-half, showed a marked improvement.
Moon, of Frickley was admitted to Chesterfield Royal Hospital, suffering from abdominal injuries. Moon (outside left) came into violent collision with colleague, Gibson (inside right), who had a leg injured and was attended by ambulance men.
Weakness in finishing robbed Rotherham United Reserves of a well-deserved victory, for on the run of play they did not deserve to lose 2—1 at Millmoor to York City Reserves. They wore the more aggressive side and did far more attacking than York. Hick scored for Rotherham from a penalty, while the York centre-forward, McCabe, got both the visitors’ goals.
Loughborough Corinthians and Mansfield Town Reserves drew 1—1 at Loughborough. Mansfield started off with a rush and scored within minute, but the homo team fought back and equalised. Staples, in the Mansfield goal, played a great game. Small, the Mansfield outside-right, and Lloyd, left-back, also did well. Jepson scored for Mansfield and Hackett for Loughborough.
Boston played scrappy football against Bradford City Reserves on Saturday, and the visitors deserved their 2 —1 win. Boston had three reserves in their side; and O’Donnell, their regular left-back, appeared inside-left and scored Boston’s only goal. Medley and Bainbridge replied for the visitors.