Mexborough and Swinton Times March 29, 1929

Mansfield Hard Pressed.
Mexboro’s Splendid Fight.

Mansfield Town 3, Mexborough Town 2

At Mansfield on Saturday Mexboro’ put up a really good performance to run Mansfield to a goal.

If Mansfield do claim that it was one of their off days, so far as their attack was concerned, chiefly because Morris could not play owing to a damaged shoulder, there was the fact that the deputy centre-forward, GRICE, gave a performance of outstanding merit. He scored Mansfield’s first goal after SHAW gave Mexboro’ the lead with the game only six minutes old.

Mansfield’s other goals were scored by COOKE and STANIFORTH after the interval, and BRIGGS sandwiched Mexboro’s second one in between. There was a doubt about Mansfield’s second goal for Cooke hit an upright and the ball went back into play, but the referee decided that the ball had crossed the line.

The narrowness of Mansfield’s victory was due chiefly to the splendid in defence by Beaumont, Hawkins and Ward. The Mexboro’ halves worked hard, but had none too much time to look after their own forwards, As a line the Mexboro’ attackers were not too well together, but Bell was in his best form, and it was a capital cross of his that led to Mexboro’s opening goal. Tilbrook made him a capital partner, and an effort just after the interval when Staples just of the bail by diving full length, deserved a better reward.

There were 3,900 spectators who were, heartily glad when the end arrived with two more points safely gathered in towards the championship on which Mansfield have set their minds.