Mexborough and Swinton Times January 13, 1918
With a Passenger.
Change of Programme at Hampden Road.
Mexboro’ 2, Gainsboro’ 1
Mexboro’: Bromage ; Beaumont, Davis; Hill, Kennedy, Saxton; Hancock, Bramley, Carr, Shaw, Vollans.
Gainsboro’: Sewell; ‘Vincent, McKenzie; Clark, Bennett, Ashton; Lawrie, Brown, Smith, Myers, Hague.
Referee: T. Tomlinson, Sheffield.
After a long sequence of experiences at Hampden Road it was a welcome change to find the accustomed roles reversed and Mexboro’ playing opportunist, while their visitors pegged away in vain for the reward that would not come. The result had extra spice because Kennedy limping along on the left wing more or less a passenger from an early stage in the game. He got a knock that took all the usual energy out of him and that was a serious blow for Mexboro’, considering how Kennedy has been playing this season. Yet, after that stroke of bad luck, they got another goal to hold an unexpectedly comfortable lead at the interval; and afterwards held out to the end in face of numerous threatening attacks by the clever Gainsboro’ men.
As a team Gainsboro’ were the cleverer combination, played the more open game, and were better balanced. But they failed in a vital particular — finish — and Mexboro’ snapped their chances. The first was truly an opportunist goal. Hill swung the ball over—one of his typical from-behind-the-line, centres—and VOLLANS took a first-time pot shot that left Sewell helpless. Late in the half the Gainsboro’ goal was under, bombardment, and Sewell. partly parried a, shot only for CARR to seize another chance. Gainsboro’ may have considered themselves hardly treated by the fates to be so placed at the Interval: but as a matter of fact they had themselves to blame. Their chances were vastly greater in number and quality than were Mexboro’s but the outcome showed how valuable a member of the side is Billy Shaw. He was absent, nursing an injury, and Smith, the usual outside-right, was not an effective deputy. Yet Bromage made some excellent saves, and the Mexboro’ backs were first-rate.
The second half at time threatened to become a wearing down process of the Mexboro’ defence. Gainsboro’ had a good deal the better of the play, and Mexboro’ but rarely looked like adding to their score. But Gains. hero’s weakness in finish undid them. MYERS scored in a ;scramble, but otherwise Beaumont and Davis held most of Gaiusboro’s efforts. But Vincent failed to score with a penalty kick. Towards the end play deteriorated badly—chiefly because the players’_ tempers got a little frayed and there was a good deal too much rough work.
Gain.sboro’ seemed inclined to take their beating badly, though both sides were guilty of unnecessary fouls. The credit of the day goes to the crippled Mexboro’ side that gave Gainsboro’ their first Midland League beating since Scunthorpe on September 10.
The Mexboro’ defence took the chief honours of the day — though Gainsboro’ were well served in this department’, and particularly by McKenzie. Davis and Beaumont, in the widely differing, but equally effective styles, played excellently. Saxton put up one of his best games of the season after taking over Kennedy’s job, and Hill was as good as ever. Vollans was another notability of the day, for he played effectively at half after setting Mexboro’ going with that clever goal from the outside-left position. Forward, Shaw and Bramley were easily the, pick. The new centre-forward did not materalise and Carr again led the line, but his extended trial does not reveal any further promise of development. Hancock was not at his best and found both Ashton and McKenzie rather too clever for him. Bromage did a good afternoon’s work, and two at least of his saves earn him a “mention” in despatches.
And Kennedy gave Sewell two of his hottest handfuls of the afternoon–after his injury; So even the “passenger” shares the day’s honours.