Star Green ‘un – Saturday 25 October 1919

English Cup

Mexborough Go to Clifton lane.

Rotherham Town  2  Mexborough  0

A good deal of interest was centred in the meeting of these local rivals, which took place at Clifton Lane, Rotherham, this afternoon, in connection with the English Cup.

Both sides appeared at full strength, and a good game was anticipated. The teams had once previously met this reason the Midland League, when Mexbro’ proved the victors by four goal to two.

There was big crowd the visitors having brought a good following.

Teams:

Rotherham Town.—Phillips; Jones and Emmett, McGuire, and Wigmore; Hill, Brown, Rippon, Walker, and Turner. ,

Mexbro’.—Beech; Smelt and Glover; Hill (R), Nicholson and Taylor (M.); Shelton, Burkinihsw. Beevers, Shaw, and Redfearn

There would be fully 5,000 spectators when Beevers started the ball for Mexborough, The visitors were the first away, but shot wide. Again the forwards advanced, but again Redfearn was whistled offside. From the free kick the home left went away, and Glover handled just outside the penalty area, but Walker made poor use of the free kick, and another dash the visitors’ forwards saw Byrne come through with a big clearance.

Burkinshaw’s Missed Chance.

Play was then stopped for few minutes owing to Walker being injured. Whilst the player was being attended Mexbro’ attacked, and Burkinshaw missed a good chance from a centre by this point Walker returned, but the visitors put pressure. Jones once cleared as Shaw was in the act shooting. Redfearn raced to the other end, but Glover relieved.

Mexborough’s keenness was very evident right to the interval.

Half-time:—Rotherham Town 0 Mexboro’ Town 0

On resuming, Mexborough worked up an attack, and Byrne had to give a corner to clear his lines. This cleared. Turner got away on the left wing, and finished with a good centre, but Glover got the ball away. The same player again to the rescue a few minutes later, when Hill was working himself for position. At this point Rotherham were playing strongly, and once Hill, after working the ball, got it the middle, where Glover, in attempting to clear, almost kicked through his own goal.

Two Quick Goals.

In another attack Walker missed reasonable chance, just heading over. At the expiration of 20 minutes of this half Rotherham took the lead. Following some loose play in the Mexborough goalmouth Walker dashed and scored with good shot. This seemed to put new life into Rotherham, and some capital work Turner the left wing equally good centre turned to good account. Rippon dashing up at top speed and giving Beech no chance, this coming the end of 30 minutes’ play in the second half. This apparently settled the game, and Rotherham held their own to the finish, running cut winners two goals to none.

Result:-Rotherham Town 2 Mexborough Town 0