Sheffield Daily Telegraph – Monday 06 April 1931
Among The Midland League Clubs.
Wombwell Brighten Up Their Away Record
Although not one away team succeeded in winning in the Midland League on Saturday, five of them shared the points.
A draw of 1 —1 between Frickley Colliery and Mexborough was a good reflex of an uninteresting game at South Elmsall on Saturday. Both goals were scored following corners after the interval. Wilson giving Mexborough the lead, and Foster equalising five minutes later. Capstick gave brilliant display in the goal.
Denaby Miss Their Chances.
Wombwell’s football at Denaby was much better than one expected from team the bottom of the league, and they did well to draw 2—2. Wombwell scored early through Briggs, who cut in from the right, and shot right across Brannan into the corner. They dominated the game for a time, then took charge, but was not until half-time that Smith equalised the score.
After the interval Sheldon cleverly threaded his way through the opposition and beat Best from close range. In the last few minutes of the game Hughes upset Davis in the penalty area, and Kay scored from the spot. Denaby would have won had they taken their chances.
Scunthorpe United thoroughly deserved a point in their Midland League game with Bradford Reserves at Park Avenue. They found the home team in a very lackadaisical mood, and by sheer grit and determination compelled them to share the points. Bromage was safe goalkeeper, and Webster and Baynham reliable backs, whilst Cross centre-forward was always on the look out for chances.
In the first half Atherton opened the scoring for Bradford, but Cross soon afterwards equalised for Scunthorpe. There was no scoring in the second half.
A good defence saved Hull City Reserves from a heavier defeat than 3—1 in their game with Grimsby Town Reserves on Saturday. Grimsby fared best against the wind in the first half when they scored twice to the City once. In the second half Grimsby continually attacked but could only add one more goal to their score. The goal scorers were Glover, Joyce, and Fielding for Grimsby, while Turner replied for Hull.
Chesterfield’s Dominating Halves.
Chesterfield Reserves, in defeating Mansfield Town 2—0 at Saltergate, owed much their half-backs, and especially Robb, who until the dosing stages, almost subdued the Mansfield attack. Wilson opened Chesterfield’s score with great drive from 30 yards’ range, and after the interval Baldwin, who led the attack with enterprise, finished a delightful dribble by evading the challenge of Poyser and putting the issue beyond doubt. The home forwards showed a liveliness against a powerful defence, A. E. Bell and Andrews turning in some true centres and Walker and Wilson leaving little to be desired. The home defence was also full value.
Shirebrook, who drew 1 —1 with Barnsley Reserves on Saturday, ought to have made sure of the points. In the second half they were attacking almost continuously, but ill-luck and the weakness in front of goal, combined with the fine goalkeeping by Lampard, who deputised for Gale, neutralised their efforts. Barnsley forwards were the more dangerous, but were well held a sound defence in which L. Smith, Shipman, Wilcocks, and Silvester shone. Murfin, Chivers, Storr, Kerry, and Holmes were prominent in the visitors’ ranks. Chivers scored for Barnsley and Morris for Shirebrook. The gate showed a big improvement on the past few weeks.
Scarborough were full value for the win over Boston at Scarborough. A strong wind spoilt “the play, but curiously enough both sides played better against it than with it. Scarborough opened the scoring after five minutes, Stockill putting the finishing touches on a fine combined movement. There was no further scoring until 25 minutes of the second half had gone, when Earle equalised after an individual effort. Within two minutes Scarborough were ahead again, Maskill scoring, and Hill made the issue safe five minutes later.
Doncaster Have the Luck.
Doncaster Reserves were fortunate to draw at Grantham. Two of their goals were from breakaways, whilst Mobbs was at fault with, the third, which was rushed through Castle after the goalkeeper had dropped the ball.
In the last half-hour Doncaster’s goal, except for once by Perry, withstood a determined and incessant fusillade of shots from the home forwards. Twice the post was struck, while several shots missed by inches. Scorers for Doncaster were Castle (2) and C. Price, and for Grantham, Mann, Stevenson, and Perry.
Gainsborough Trinity have staged a “come back,” and against Notts Forest Reserves they won 4 —1 to record their fifth successive win. The visitors gave try out to Quantrill, who has been injured, and at the start he was their most dangerous forward. He did not, however, take risks. Gainsborough benefited a first minute goal by Mills, followed after 29 minutes with another from Dodsworth, and a third before the interval through Wilbourn, who, with Mills, were outstanding in the home attack. Two goals were scored in the last minute of the game, Smith, for Gainsborough, and Howie for Notts. Kell and Harris defended well for Gainsborough.