South Yorkshire Times January 20, 1933
‘Fireworks’ At Mexboro’
Mexboro’ Town 5, Grimsby Town Reserve 7
The result of the game at Hampden Road on Saturday was hardly a just reflex of Mexboro’s plucky fight with the League ‘s leaders. The game was by no means one-sided, and from the start Mexboro’ tackled a heavier and bigger side with praiseworthy determination, which at least merited a share in the points. Grimsby fielded a powerful side and included Annables, an old acquaintance, at left full back, who not only had a busy time through the persistence of the Mexboro’ attack but also gave a good account of himself. But it was Charlie Wilson, the ex-Wednesday half-back, who proved the “star” for the visitors. Time and again an excellently combined movement by the forwards was the result of his initiative, and two of the seven goals were the results of solo efforts.
The first half gave little indication of what was to come in the later phases of the game, but within the first 15 minutes Grimsby’s speed, which proved a big factor in their success, was revealed to Mexboro’s cost.
Grimsby were direct actionists and went ahead after 15 minutes through WARING, who shot through after Armitage had saved an excellent drive from Charlie Wilson. Although the end-to-end nature of the ensuing struggle promised a glut of goals, we saw some brilliant work by Armitage, the Mexboro’ keeper and Tweedy in the Grimsby goal. For fully thirty minutes Mexboro’ kept up a strong attack on the visitors’ goal, but their equaliser, which came through MOXON, was more a result of persistence than good finishing. Time and again excellent movements were soiled by feeble scoring attempts. Mexboro continued to attack after this goal. A thrill came when McMahon burst through and the goalkeeper, rushing out missed the hall, which, however, was travelling just a little too fast for McMahon. Immediately, as if to emphasise that the Mexboro’ luck was out, Grimsby went ahead again, WARING heading through from a centre from the right. Immediately afterwards we again saw the speed of the Grimsby attack when PONTING raced away to put the visitors further ahead.
Of the twelve goals scored seven came in a hectic 23 minutes after the resumption, the margin between the teams being continually changed from two goals to one, but always remaining in Grimsby’s favour. Within a minute of the interval Mexboro’ reduced the Arrears through McMAHON, the ball coming from an acute angle and glancing in off the crossbar. Grimsby were not to be denied and PONTING again dashed between the home backs to beat Armitage. The game was interesting to the end, and always fast and exciting. Charlie WILSON (2) increased Grimsby’s lead and PONTING added a further goal. FISHER revealed himself an alert opportunist in the last 15 minutes, scoring two fine goals against a solid defence. BOLAN scored Mexboro’s final goal, but although at the end Mexboro’ were behind, they were very game losers, and the Grimsby goal was under constant pressure to the end.
The game was never one-sided, and each defence in turn was tested severely through the wholehearted methods of both halves and forwards. Except for some aimless kicking at times the Mexboro’ side was not lacking in polish and gave one of their most attractive displays. A “bag” of twelve goals certainly provided an enthusiastic crowd with their money’s worth.