Sheffield Daily Telegraph – Monday 03 October 1921

Midland League.

Mexborough’s Tactics Prove Very Costly at Castleford.

The visit of Grimsby Town Reserves, the league leaders, to Worksop, provided one of the best games witnessed at the Central Avenue ground for many seasons. Grimsby were the better team in the first half, though a two goals lead (the scorers were Talks and Laws), rather flattered them. There was a great change in the course of play in the second half, and a capital sustained rally by the home team enabled Robinson (from a penalty) and Bretnall to level matters. A 2-2 draw was a fair reflex of the game, though Worksop were slightly superior. It was a thrilling game, and the way the players maintained the stiff pace was remarkable.

The encounter between Castleford Town and Mexborough Town was very keen, and the score, of 5-1 in Castleford’s favour rather over-estimates the difference between the two teams. Reilly scored the only goal in the first half, but five minutes after the interval three goals were scored in as many minutes (Bell and Roe, for Castleford, and Walker for Mexborough). The visitors were inclined to play the short passing game, and lost many chances thereby, whilst Castleford, by swinging the ball about, obtained two further goals, the scorers being Roe and Bell. Walker’s shot, which secured Mexborough’s goal, was a really great one.

Mansfield Town and Rotherham County Res. met at Mansfield. The home team, which included Frith, of Rotherham, at centre-half, had all the better of the first half’s play, and, had they taken their chances, must have had a substantial lead at the interval. But they shot poorly, and the visitors, finishing the stronger, almost snatched a victory. A goal-less draw was a fair reflex of the play, considering how well the visitors played after half-time.

Scunthorpe Narrowly Beaten.

At Oakwell, Barnsley Res. got the verdict over Scunthorpe United, though it was only by the odd goal, in five. Turner was the outstanding player on the Barnsley side. He made “rings” round Ackroyd, served up a fine series of centres and scored two clever goals. Retford scored the other with a powerful shot. Whitham (a former Barnsley forward) was Scunthorpe’s most dangerous man. He obtained his side’s first goal, through a misunderstanding between Thorpe and Armstrong. Scunthorpe’s second goal followed a shot from Meredith which Thorpe failed to gather, and Gibson had no difficulty in netting. Baines played a fine game in Barnsley’s middle line and Bette was powerful in Scunthorpe’s defence.

Doncaster Rovers really deserved to be beaten in their home match with Harrogate, for they never played with anything like the pluck or the method of the visitors. They threw away chance after chance, even though on occasions they were unlucky. Gale played splendidly in the Harrogate goal, though not too soundly covered by the backs. The visiting forwards, after being a goal down, never despaired, and they were rewarded when they got the Rovers “on the run.” They scored twice before the end through Smith and Fawcett. Copley got the Rovers’ only point, but the side altogether was not convincing, only Thorpe, Hendry, Copley, and Butler being prominent.

Wombwell gained an away victory at the expense of Wakefield City by 2 – 0. Some interesting football was witnessed in the first half, which was void of goals. Wombwell had the better luck in the second portion, Parton and Foxall netting smart goals. Woolerton, Wakefield’s custodian, played brilliantly. Parton, for Wombwell, was frequently dangerous.

The Lincolnshire Duel.

Lincoln City sent a, strong side to meet the Trinity at Gainsborough, and the 3,000 spectators enjoyed an interesting match. The City were very slow in getting into their stride, and it was during this period, which lasted for some thirty minutes, that Talbot put on two goals for Trinity. Afterwards the City claimed their full share of the game, but their shooting and attempts to score were poor. Trinity also finished weakly in the second half, when they seemed to lose all the swiftness in attack which characterised their play in the first half. On the whole the City were certainly better value than their 2 – 0 defeat would seem to indicate.

Wath’s first home match was very fast from beginning to end, and there was very little to choose between them and Rotherham Town. The Athletic were first to score after 25 minutes’ play, through Smith. When half an hour had gone in the second half, Moorhouse equalised, but prior to this their custodian, who played a fine game in goal, safely dealt with innumerable shots from the home forwards. Near the close the visitors’ left wing, Moorhouse and Oldfield, caused the home defence trouble. Topham and his backs, however, never made a mistake. The result, 1 – 1, was a fair one.

Boston Still Unbeaten.

Boston Town preserved their unbeaten record at Denaby, although they were exceedingly fortunate to do so. The United had two-thirds of the play, and had five shots at goal to every one of Boston’s. Sheer hard luck and good goalkeeping by Blakey combined to prevent them running up a big score. Davis gave the Lincolnshire side the lead after about 25 minutes’ play, and it was about 13 minutes from the end of the game that Denaby equalised from a penalty taken by Ballance.

There occurred a rather strange incident in the second half. Brayshaw, while in possession of the ball, was charged rather roughly. He took no heed of it, however, but careered goalwards, completing a beautiful run with a goal. The referee whose whistle had not been heard to signify the foul, disallowed the goal, and awarded a free kick to Denaby, whose supporters were very disappointed with the exchange.