Mexborough and Swinton Times January 27, 1928

Grantham at Their Best.

Briggs’s Debut with Mexborough

Grantham 6, Mexboro’ 2

Grantham; Fox; Yaldren, Derrick ; Cooke, Waterall, Pearce; Watson, Spaven, Gibson, Keeton, Dennis.

Mexboro”: Bromage; Burkinshaw, Davis; Hill, Kennedy, Saxton; Hancock. Bramley, Briggs, Shaw, Vollans.

Referee: J. W. Bonner, Boston.

The usual run of contests between these teams is for Mexboro’ to win at home and draw at Grantham, but on Saturday, at Grantham, came a change. Grantham not only won comfortably but they quite overplayed Mexboro’. It is doubtful if they have played quite such a good game this season. Going in for short passing. They puzzled                Mexboro’ and in the second half took a real hold of the game.

Mexboro’ scored the first goal of the afternoon though they were by no means prominent in the early stages and at the interval were a goal behind. Their offside policy was of doubtful advantage and it to a certain extent marred the play.

As the game progressed Grantham got more and more aggressive and scored four goals in the second half. That was a fine performance considering the sturdy defence Mexboro’ can put up. At times the Grantham forwards with their swift passing were unstoppable. Bromage was in fine form and his great activity alone saved a heavier defeat. The Mexborough halfback and backs were busy throughout and the forwards at times played convincing football. There were no really outstanding players in the Mexboro’ team—if we except Bromage—but the right wing appeared to greater advantage than did the left. The forwards were fast but the Grantham backs looked after them well.

The match produced good football; fast throughout and with plenty of incident. BRIGGS (picture) scored both goals for Mexboro’ in his debut in the team, the first about midway in the first half and the second a few minutes after the interval. For Grantham the scorers were DENNIS. GIBSON (2), and SPAVEN (2), and PEARCE.

Mexborough’s record in the competition makes the performance of Grantham an exceptionally good one. The afternoon was fine and there was an attendance above the average which stands at about 1,000 a match here.