South Yorkshire Times, May 10, 1969

Soft Start, But a Swinging Finale

Mexborough Town 3, Farsley Celtic 1

It is about time the terrace “knockers” and the great players in the stands began to appreciate just what they are getting from Mexborough Town this year. This match, absolutely vital to both teams in the race for the title, had all the tension and the electric atmosphere of a big cup-tie, and the Town came out on top with 100 per cent. effort. What more can we expect from them?

This was the last time Mexborough would perform before the home crowd this season, and Farsley came bent on securing the points prepared to give nothing away in the process.

Facing the best defence in the league, Mexborough plied lead in their own saddle by giving away what must rank as the softest goal seen at Hampden Road for a long time — and this before the plavers had time to soil their boots.

Mal Brunt, usually so safe, wars the culprit, and the temporary lapse sickened him as much as it shocked the crowd, Freddie Jones was the scorer, his ‘cross from the right, somehow slipping through Brunt’s grasp and bobbing gently into the net,

The tale of woe continued when John Colley pulled down Walker in the box after ten minutes, and inside-forward Keith Jones stepped up to take, the penalty. This was surely the turning point in the game. If Parsley had netted, the effect on Town’s morale could have been shattering.

As it was, Brunt pulled off a great save and gave Mexborough something to play for.

Equaliser

Fighting all the way, Roger Wood spurred Mexborough on to greater effort, and after Cullen had twice come close, Brian Parker equalised from the penalty spot.

The second half was played out as If lives depended on the result. Terry Glossop chose the right match to put in one of his top performances, and it was his shot which rebounded from the post to give Whitehouse the chance to slide in for the second.

Farsley, with Aveyard probably the classiest player on the field, came back in tremendous style and played good football, but with Bower, Iggo and Cooke doing sterling work at the back Town held on.

With minutes to go Terry Glossop sealed the match. Picking the ball up outside the box he sent the defence the wrong way, drew the ‘keeper, and to the relief of the crowd and the jubilation of the players, pushed the ball into the net.

Full marks to Town for a fighting victory, and to Roger Wood in particular for a 101 per cent. effort.