Mexborough and Swinton Times August 31 1928

Midland League

Frickley Well Away : Ten for A Start,
Frickley Attack’s Brilliant Debut.

Frickley 6, Mexboro’ 4

Charlton’s First goal

Brilliant football is not looked for on the last Saturday of August. Mexboro’ and Frickley were not out of the ordinary when they opened probably their most strenuous Midland League season at South Elmsall on  Saturday. Frickley’s front line, which, if it continues as it started, should be one of the most dangerous in the competition, scored six goals, and Mexboro’ got four. Mexboro’ supporters must not be disheartened; with a little reshuffling and a few changes it should be a good team.

Early mistakes—inevitable in a re-constructed team—cost Mexboro’ dear and lost them the match. Two sudden swoops by Frickley on their goal found Beaumont and Davis at a loss, and both raids were successful. The moral effect of those two goals was great, especially in an opening match; but the ensuing play was much more balanced.

One was rather disappointed in Beaumont, and to some extent in Davis. Binney had no chance with any of the six scoring shots. Beaumont and Davis did not seem to ‘fit in at all well, and their covering up was poor. The halves did not give them enough sue-port, though they revelled in aggression. Gillott played a steady .game, Vollans was versatile, and Ernest Higginbottom played well up to expectations. His brother, Herbert Higginbottom, justified himself by scoring two goals, but his finishing could be better. He will be a useful winger. Froth his form on Saturday Dick Shaw should have another good season. Beresford was hardly forceful enough but he was promising.– An inside  forward of experience is Tilbrook, who kept a clear head in mane- exciting moments and scored Mexboro’s first goal of the season.

Mexboro’s failing was lack of understanding and definite method. Individually, few faults can be found and time and experiment will remedy this wrong. One was by no means pessimistic about 3Texboro’ after the match for there is useful material.

Frickley must consider themselves very fortunate in such a happy first selection of forwards. The line’s success was all the more remarkable because, with the exception of Pagden, it was new in constitution. Williams made a notable return and scored in each half. Charlton, the inside-left from Grimsby, is already a favourite with the crowd and his determined play suggested that his three goals were no mere flashes of brilliance.

Another forceful and brainy player; Turnbull showed good speed and accuracy of placing on the left wing. The attack should keep any Midland League defence worried. The middle line was as last year. Neal again showed good judgment as a pivot and his colleagues took some passing. The Frickley management had doubts about the back positions. Price was re-introduced on, the right and Brewin, an amateur on. Wednesday’s books, who last season was with Wombwell, partnered him well. The .defence certainly nee is a little knitting together. Bromage played very well and his punching was fine.

There was a good attendance and many Mexboro’ followers were present. Frickley’s fine new grand-stand, which would be a credit to a Third Division club, was used for the first time, though it had to go without the opening ceremony that had been arranged. Mr. W. Lane, of Brodsworth, a member of the Central Miner’s Welfare Committee was to have performed the ceremony.

Frickley were set to face a breeze in the first half but after five minutes spent in their quarters, a rush on the Mexboro’ goal ended in WILLIAMS receiving with his back to goal and shooting hard and true as be spun round. The shock of that early goal had not worn off when a pretty forward movement resulted in a mix-up near the Mexboro’ goal and CHARLTON netted at close range. The hopes of Mexboro’ were revived when TILBROOK scored an opportunist goal from somewhere near the penalty spot. It was a splendid shot and happened after 20 minutes. CHARLTON was winded in a collision but immediately on his return from receiving attention he led a fine passing movement down the middle, which culminated in his shooting past Binney. Players of both sides were carried away by excitement and the game to the interval was scrappy.

Herbert HIGGINBOTTOM scored for Mexbro’ in the first movement after the interval, but retaliation came in the form of a stinging shot from DEAN that completely beat Binney. The game was then fast and interesting and WILLIAMS scored in a sudden rush. CHARLTON again took the lime-light with a goal that followed some patchwork play by the Frickley attack. Mex-boro’ had most of the play after that and HIGGINBOTTOM closed in from the wing-to drive hard into’ the net. Shortly before the end SHAW got Mexboro’s fourth. Teams:

Frickley: Bromager, Price. Brewin : Lax, Neal, Riley: Pagden, Dean, Williams, Charlton, Turnbull.

Mexbore’: Binney: Beaumont, :Davis; Vollans, Gillott, E. Higginbottom Tilbrook. Beresford, Shaw, H. Higginbottom.