Sheffield Daily Telegraph – Monday 26 January 1931

Midland League

Wonderful Run Ended.

The feature of the Midland League programme on Saturday was Grantham’s 3 – 1 defeat of Grimsby Town Reserves, which ended great run of success by the leaders. Grimsby had won their previous eleven matches and had obtained 37 points out of a possible 40 since their last defeat on September 27th, when they were beaten at home by the only goal by Bradford City Reserves. Grantham put up a very fine performance. The game was full of thrills, and there were beautiful forward movements by both sides. The visitors scored first through Joyce, but Sullivan got the equaliser before half-time. In the second half Grantham gave splendid exhibition, and Sullivan obtained two more good goals complete his “hat-trick.”

Scunthorpe put up stiff opposition at Newark, where they were beaten by 1 —0 and ought, perhaps, to have divided the points. The backs defended well against the wind, and defied all Newark’s efforts to score up to the interval. The only goal came to Newark, through Hoddinott, after 70 minutes. Scunthorpe had hard luck in the closing stages, when great shot from Stringfellow hit the Newark bar with Best beaten.

Rotherham had matters pretty much their own way against Wombwell at Millmoor, and the score easily have been even larger than 4 —0. They missed several easy chances, and on other occasions Best, in the visitors’ goal, made some brilliant saves. For most of the second half Rotherham were attacking. The scorers for Rotherham were Parkin (two), Cooke, and Murden. Turner and Ward played well for Rotherham.

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Denaby’s Big Win.

Denaby fully deserved their 5 —0 win over Gainsborough Trinity at Denaby. There was only one goal prior to the interval, Sheldon heading through. Fisher had a hand in the second, for Skeels ran in and scored from his pass. Munday, the new centre forward, who had a lean timo last week, came into his own with two good goals. Sheldon got the fifth.

In an even game at Hull, Chesterfield Reserves secured a point by drawing 0-0 with Hull City Reserves. The game was scrappy, but in the closing stages it was only the good work of Edwards in goal which saved Chesterfield from defeat. Baldwin was good leader, and was well supported Bell and Andrews. The pickthe halves were Machent and Cousins, and Wass played sound game at back. Both sets of forwards were poor opportunists, and erratic shooting was the cause of neither side being able score.

Mansfield Town had an easy task the Field Mill ground against a weak Frickley Colliery team, winning by 4 – 0. Trotman and Goddard scored for the Town in the opening half, and Goddard and Hargreaves added two more goals after the interval. Calvert, in the Frickley goal, played finely.

Sheffield ’Varsity Winger Shines.

Mexborough’s more direct methods paid against Bradford City Reserves, who showed the more attractive football, but were beaten by 3—2. All the goals were scored in the first half, Woolhouse and Hall scoring for Bradford, and Bungay and A Hinson (two) for Mexborough. Allinson, a Sheffield Universitv player, made a good debut at outside left. Otber outstanding men for the home team were Danford, Davies, and Tye. Bradford were clever, and had in Cochran an especially fine forward.

Scarborough paid the penalty of playing the wrong game in their home match with Bradford Reserves, and were beaten by 3—1. On ground made heavy by recent rain they persisted in short passing. Bradford scored two goals in many minutes near the interval. Both were scored by Harwood. Palfreman reduced the lead after the interval, and though Scarborough attacked the finishing was weak. Bradford broke away in the last few minutes to snatch third goal, scored by Kilcar. Richards, of Bentley, on trial at centre halfback for Scarborough, showed promise.

Halliday, who was recently acquired from Boston, signalised his first appearance on the Sincil Bank, as leader of the Lincoln City Reserves against Doncaster Rovers Reserves, by performing the “hat-trick.” The home team won by 5 —0, the other scorers being Pegg and Worthy. The latter’s goal came from a penalty at the second attempt. Worthy, however, missed turning another penalty to account.

Loughborough Corinthians beat Boston at Loughborough by 2—1, but Boston deserved to draw, for they played excellent football in the second half. Streets was good in goal, but the backs were not too sound. The forwards did well Weale, at outside-right, and Pearson, at centre-forward, being outstanding. Chambers and Murden scored for Loughborough, and Pearson for Boston.