Sheffield Daily Telegraph – Friday 05 September 1919

Notts Reserves Beat Mexboro’ Heavily.

Notts Reserves 5  Mexborough 1

The meeting of Notts Reserves and Mexboro , under the auspices of the Midland League, Meadow Lane, Nottingham, yesterday, attracted about 500 spectators only, but produced some attractive football. This

Notts, who have some very promising material recruited from junior clubs in the district, proved victorious 5 —1, and if the margin of their success flattered them somewhat, there was no gainsaying they were infinitely the better balanced side.

The visitors opened strongly, and might have scored in the first minute, but though they accomplished clever work subsequently in engineering advances, they lacked finishing power. Beavers on one occasion dribbled through the defence irresistible style and then failed with open goal, while Burkinshaw missed several favourable chances.

Notts displayed superior incisiveness and opportunism, and it was this that enabled them trying in such decisive fashion. Hill, a Blackwell Colliery youngster, showed fine marksmanship, and claimed four of the “Magpies” five goals, Mee obtaining the other with a hard, low drive which Carlin misjudged. The Mexborough goalkeeper did not inspire confidence, and misjudged several centres. . Shaw scored the visitors’ solitary point, and he and Beavers were the most prominent members of the losers’ attack, which was wanting in cohesion. Smelt and Severns defended with admirable resolution and little skill, and of the half-backs Nicholson was the outstanding figure.

Most of the excitement was crowded into the first half, and as Notts crossed over with a lead and the issue practically in their keeping, interest evaporated in. the second half, and the football became of somewhat scrappy character.

Result:—Notts County Res. 5 Mexborough 1