Sheffield Daily Telegraph – Friday 04 November 1904

English Cup

Third Qualifying Round.

Mexborough Town 3  Doncaster Rovers 1

These teams having played a goal-less draw at Doncaeter last Saturday, met again for the re-played tie at Mexborough yesterday, before a good attendance.

The weather was dull, though fine, with a strongish breeze blowing across the ground. There were several alterations in both teams. The Rovers won the toss, and elected kick down the hill.

Mexborough started in poor style, and Doncaster scored after seven minutes. The ball crossed and  re-crossed in front of the home goal, Tompkins finally securing and beating Tayles close in.

Mexborough retaliated with spirit, and forcing work Hopkinson saw the Rovers’ goal in danger. There was doubt that after the first exchanges the Rovers were playing a good deal stronger game, and the Mexborough players were a shade wild. Later the home team improved very considerably, and had the best of the game. Once Burn badly mis-kicked, but Davis came to the rescue, and a minute later Morris finely pulled up his opponents. Again the home right ran up, and a fine centre by Rodgers went out to Rothery, who took careful aim, but shot over. A  minute later the same player centred strongly, and Davis, trying to clear, put through his own goal, the equalisation of the score being hailed with cheers.

Mexboro’, by pretty passing the right, again assumed the aggressive, and Hakin working out an opportunity,. Hopkinson gave Mexboro’ the lead with a header, this second success coming within a couple of minutes of the first. Doncaster pressed for a time, but did not score, and at the interval they were a goal behind.

The home spectators were on pretty good terms with themselves during the interval and anticipated happy eventualities when the team started with the slope in their favour.

The opening play, however, did not favour these surmises, but later the home team had more of the play. A couple of further corners fell to Mexborough. The second kick was well placed by Rothery, and found Rodgers just high with a fast header and then a foul against Meakin enabled the Rovers to change the venue. Clever work by Gordon proved of avail and Mexborough again raced down, shooting wide with a lovely opportunity. Shaw, the next minute, drove past at a terrific rate. The ball was got away, and Rothery the home left replied with a brilliant run. beating all opposition, before falling in the goal mouth. Give-and-take play followed, and a centre by Norris was beautifully volleyed awav by Westwood, who again pulled up “the Rovers’ left.

Mexborough were soon at the Doncaster end again, but a quick dash by and Russell forced Streets to kick into touch. Rothery shot hard across the goal mouth, Hakin meeting and placing wide. The Rovers transferred, and Cowcroft trapping across from Hyde, shot miserably, in an attempt at the other end by Rothery being infinitely superior. Coming awav with a rattle, Tompkins looked like going through, but was knocked off, and for a minute or so the Rovers made big effort to obtain the equaliser. They were beaten back, and Mexborough racing down Rothery slung across a, good centre, which Meakin fastened on, and put the home team further ahead. Result:— TOWN 3 goals. Doncaster Rovers 1 goal.

Town.—Tayles. goal; Streets and Westwood, backs: McNeil, Gosling, and Shaw, half-backs; Meakin, Hakin, Hopkinson, and Rothery, forwards.

Doncaster Rovers.—Hanson, goal; Burn and Davies, backs; Gordon, Moraiee, and Norris, half-backs; Hyde, Pember, Tompkins, Crowcroft, and Russell, forwards.

Referee: Mr. J. P. Whitsed, of Lincoln