Sheffield Daily Telegraph – Monday 02 April 1923
A Sheffield Cup Final Rehearsal.
The Mexborough supporters had, another appointment on Saturday, when the team was beaten by Wombwell by two goals to none. The result is an ominous one, in view of Mexborough’s hopes of lifting the Sheffield Challenge Cup, for Wombwell are their opponents in the final tie, which is to be played at. Barnsley on Saturday.
Mexborough hardly deserved any better fate, for their display was very disappointing, and though they had any number of chances they were hopelessly ineffective in front of goal. Wombwell’s first goal was a doubtful one, the referee judging the ball to have gone over tile line while Williams was attempting to save, with a crowd of players almost on the goal line. Late in the game, Briggs settled matters with a smart goal. The visitors’ forwards played a fine combination game.
The feature of the game between Chesterfield Reserves and York City was the superb goalkeeping of Hendry, and but for his smart saves Chesterfield would have scored quite a number of times. The crowd gave Hendry a big ovation at the close. _ Play was largely in the home team’s favour, and Roberts was the first to score from a partial clearance by Hendry of a fine centre by Sykes. In the second half Bailey got a second, after a run-down by Barker, whose centre was headed by Hughes to the centre-forward. Hendry laved a penalty shot by Bradbury.
Copley’s Four Goals for Trinity.
Following up their capital win over Boston Town on Good Friday. Gainsborough Trinity easily accounted for Lincoln City Reserves at Gainsborough on Saturday. Trinity practically monopolised the play and ought to have won by a much larger margin than 4-0. Copley signalised his return to the centre-forward position by scoring all four goals: his first quartet in one match this season, but his fifth “hat trick.”
There was very little to interest the spectators the match between Grimsby Reserves and Castleford, at Grimsby on Saturday. At times the attempts of the players brought forth, derisive cheers from those in the stands. The scoring was confined to the second half, in which Grimsby netted twice. Laws scored first, whilst in the second instance the Castleford custodian, turned the ball into his own net in trying to save from Coupland.
A keenly-contested game between Doncaster Rovers and Wath Athletic took place at Doncaster, before between 4,000 and 5,000 spectators. Heavy rain during the morning had rendered the pitch soft and greasy, and altered conditions affected the visitors’ robust style of play less than it did the usual tactics of the home team. Wath were the better team in the first half, but the Rovers were the aggressors in the second half. Dennis and Redfern were often dangerous on the visitors’ wings, but the team were greatly indebted to Topham for his cleverness in goal in earning a point from a goalless draw. For Doncaster Jacklin was equally good in goal, and Wigglesworth and Shaw were stout and sure defenders.
Fine Double For Denaby.
Denaby United, after taking two League points out of Barnsley Reserves at Oakwell Good Friday, took the other two in irresistible style on their ground, where they won 3–0.
The home team were aggressive all through, and their smart performance was all the more creditable to them since they were without Coope most of the time. His injured knee gave way. Burkinshaw scored after eight Minutes. Burkinshaw increased Denaby’s lead after the interval, and Godfrey got through five minutes off time. Powell and Hamilton were dashing and dangerous wingers, and the visitors’ defence was worried incessantly. Coope brought off many fine saves.
Rotherham Town had a bad time at Scunthorpe on Saturday. They put up a plucky fight in the first half, but the Scunthorpe defenders were too good, and their forwards much too lively. Scunthorpe completely monopolised the play in the second half, and the Rotherham goal had many narrow escapes. Scunthorpe won 5 – 0. Talbot scoring three line goals and Gittos two—three of them from centres by Scunthorpe’s brilliant young right winger, Meredith.