Mexborough and Swinton Times February 10, 1928
The Crowning Feat.
Great Day at Hough Lane.
Wombwell 4, Shirebrook 1
Wombwell: A. Smith; Pennington, Brewin ; Bamforth, Rushton, Sanderson ; Murray, Bradford, Fisher, Brunt, J. Smith,
Shirebrook : Hunt ; Booton, Slack ; Barlow, Evans, Mitcham; Heald, Green, Binns, Mellor, Allen.
Referee: F. Barnes, Barnsley.
Having set their faces towards the sun Wombwell are determined not to lose sight of it. Since the new spirit imbued the team each week has seen them rise to greater heights. Some of the strongest teams in the, competition have gone down at Hough Lane: and now Shirebrook have been beaten there. It was no fluke: the prospective champions, were beaten on merit and by a decisive margin. The score did not flatter Wombwell. They were much the better team on the day’s play. In the closing stages Shirebrook where whipped unmercifully
‘Both clubs had to reconstruct their teams. Shirebrook had two new forwards : Allen and Green; and at the last moment Wombwell had to re-arrange their attack to fill the breach.
Shamrock went off with a. dash and BINNS, the former Wombwell player, put them ahead after three minutes. After that Wombwell gradually dug themselves in and Shirebrook were thrown, on defence. Pretty combination by the forwards kept Booton and Slack up to their eyes in work.
Wombwell were persistent and they were rewarded after 20 minutes when BRUNT equalised. From then until half-time the battle was waged fairly evenly. Shirebrook tried to get down to combination but the Wombwell defence were not having it. There was no time for fancy work. Each time Binns or any other Shirebrook forward toyed with the ball he was bustled unceremoniously off it. Wombwell were all out to force the pace.
When the team turned out the second half Shirebrook quickly showed earnest of their intention to repeat, if possible, the happenings of the first off. They made frantic efforts to get in front again and more than once nearly succeeded. The greatest attention was paid to Binns but once or twice he slipped his guard and dribbled on to shoot with great power. The play was rather tough times require stern hand in by the referee but Mr Barnes work was well done.
Shirebrook made some dashing attacks in the early part of the half. Once Albert Smith ran out to meet a challenge by Binns in the place collided and fell. Binns was knocked sick and the ball rolled gently past an upright – a lucky escape for Wombwell.
After that Shirebrook fell away and for 30 minutes Wombwell, were rampant.
The remainder of the story can- be told- in a few words. FISHER gave his side-the lead 1 by catching the ball ,on the rebound after hunt had stopped a shot, and the same player went on to complete the hat trick. His goals were all scored with the left foot and each of the centres was from Murray, who played a useful game anal never yielded to Slack after getting the measure of him.
Fisher was a distinct success at centre-forward. Bamforth was the outstanding man in defence and in balance and combination the team as a whole distinguished itself.