South Yorkshire Times – Friday, February 3, 1933

Well Merited Win

Mexboro’ 3, Rotherham Reserve 1

By their win over Rotherham on Saturday, Mexboro’ moved above the Third Division reserve side in the league table and incidentally obtained their first points in 1933.

The victory wee well merited and was the result of eager forward play in the first half when the Rotherham defence wavered before a methodical as well as a persistent attack. Only one goal was scored after the interval, but Rotherham missed many opportunities, including a penalty. However, as Mexboro’ were also offenders in this respect in the second half Rotherham’s bad finishing was not the sole cause of their defeat. Armitage had a good deal to do with Rotherham’s inability to score more than once. He made some splendid saves at critical moments and showed good judgment in coming cut to check forward rushes. Several times he snatched the ball from the feet of advancing Rotherham forwards, and in addition to his alertness he saved a penalty. True, Pynagar’s effort was not a particularly deadly one but Armitage got the ball away very smartly.

Mexboro again showed a fault which has been noticeable in several of their games; a falling off in the second half which might easily have resulted in their losing the lead. Fortunately, the players pulled themselves together and were well on top at the end, but during the first twenty minutes of the second half the Rotherham forwards ran through the defence time after time, and only some lucky interceptions and the ability of Armitage prevented them scoring several goals.

Mexboro’s re-arranged half-back line did quite well but Perry was easily the best of the trio. He kept the Rotherham inside forwards subdued but did not neglect his forwards and was a tireless forager. He has now figured successfully at left-half, centre-half , centre-forward and inside forward for Mexboro’; convincing proof of his versatility, and on Saturday’s form he can hardly be moved from the centre-half position.

Haigh and Moron gave adequate support, but the former took some time to get used to the very treacherous conditions, and the latter did not always cover his wing successfully, especially in the second half. Liversidge defended quite well but needs a more reliable partner than Buckle, a young amateur who was given a trial. Buckle’s lack of experience was evident from the start and his positioning left something to be desired although he showed pluck and tenacity. Glasper was easily the best forward on the field. His ball control was excellent and his dribbling often brilliant, while he generally parted with the ball to advantage and his opportunism led directly to the first goal. McMahon led the line in dashing style, although he played for the greater part of the game with his forehead bandaged following a collision with the Rotherham goalkeeper. He worked the ball cleverly, but did not over-elaborate. Bolan’s persistence was a valuable asset on the left, showed some deft touches and was well served by Fisher.

Rotherham were ragged as a team, and Sykes easily took the individual honours, giving a forceful display at centre-half. Freeman was the better of two not very safe backs, and Parkin was the beet forward. Both he and Pynegar might have done better with more support from the wings, but the wingers, Anderson and Jones, were rarely dangerous. Burke was not impressive in goal, though he had little chance with the shots that beat him. He

After both goals had had narrow escapes in the first few minutes a clever manoeuvre by Glasper , who screwed the ball in from the left, resulted in a scramble during which McMAHON fastened on to the ball and gave Mexboro’ the lead. A high centre by Haigh brought the second goal, the ball passing over Burke to DOLAN, who smartly headed into the net. FISHER got the third, and early in the second half the Rotherham forwards ran through to give PARKIN an easy chance which he accepted. Subsequently, Armitage brought off his penalty save from Pynegar, the kick being awarded for hands.