Mexborough & Swinton Times – Friday 06 January 1893

Mexborough  3   Kilnhurst  4

As usual the meeting of these close neighbours attracted a large number of spectators to the concourse of the Mexborough ground, the gate been the largest so far this season, nearly 4000 people been present.

There was a change in the front rank of both teams, Caterer being let into the front rank of the visitors, and Fergus Hunt playing in place of ” Micky ” Bennett for Mexborough. The teams were as follows :—

Mexborough.—Crossley (goal), J. Collins and E.  Whitehouse (backs), J. Whitehouse, A. Whitehouse, and B. E. Bennett (half backs), J. Gough, W. Bennett, sen., Lovett, Hunt, and W. Bennett, jun., forwards.

Kilnhurst.— Hammond (goal), Hill and Hawcroft (backs), Dawson, Lobley. and Bentham (half-backs), Froggatt, Taylor, Caterer, H Schofield, and Dyson, forwards.

Linesmen. Messrs Brunt and Jubb.

Referee, Mr. F. Bye. of Sheffield.

Mexborough got away from the kick-off, and the junior Bennett rain down the hill and centred, but the ball was taken away and Taylor began to look dangerous till E. Whitehouse relieved.

Mexborough obtained a corner but it was easily cleared. Then Kilnhurst were allowed a foul, which A. Whitehouse headed away. Mexborough then took up an attack from a nice kick in midfield by Hunt, and though Caterer and Taylor tried hard, Bennett and A. Whitehouse proved too good, and Gough received the ball from “Cocky “Bennett, and it was put through with all expedition.

Kilnhurst now played up very energetically. Dyson kicked over, and soon after Taylor shot hard but wide. Mexborough broke away, and there was a bit of very lively work near the Kilnhurst post, poets, “Cocky ” Bennett once placing the ball very nearly in the goal, and Harry Bennett at half got the ball as it was cleared and shot wide. In another minute Kilnhurst got up, Schofield centred, and Froggatt put the ball through and made the score level.

The next thing of moment was a fine save by Hammond, followed by exciting play in which Crossley shots, Kilnhurst twice shooting wide. Hammond’s abilities were next shown in saving a shot by “Cousin” Walter. A corner to each team proved fruitless ; then Hunt pasted nicely to “Cocky ” Bennett, and he made a beautiful shot which was just wide. Hunt had no better success with another shot, and then “Tich ” Bennett beaded into Hammond’s hands and forced him to give a corner. The ball was wall placed, but Hammond again fisted it out. Gough met the ball and shot off the side. Next Gough and “Cousin ” Walter got away and seemed likely to score, but the former mis-kicked, and Hawcroft cleared. Kilnhurst now had the best of the play. Dyson tried and missed, and Schofield’s following shot was well over the top. Soon after the ball was centred in. Crossley ran oat, but only partially cleared, and after the ball had been kicked by half a dozen feet it went to Schofield, and with Crossley out of goal it seemed a certain score, but it was shot right over the top. Hunt again gave the ball to “Cocky,” and he shot straight as a die, but Hammond dealt with it, and then Crossley had to fist out one of Taylor’s.

Half time arrived with the scores level.

Straight away from the kick-off Kilnhurst went down the field. The ball was crossed to Dyson and he shot the second goal for Kilnhurst. Mexborough got away from the restart, and Gough took a kick at the flying ball just in front of goal and sent it over. “Cousin” Walter Bennett had the next shot, and Hammond saved. Twice did Hill get in the way of centres by “Cocky,” and then from • long throw-in Hunt caused Hammond to fist out. Taylor was then cautioned for threatening to kick “Cousin” Walter, and immediately after the latter player sent a curly one to Hammond, which he only partially saved, and Hunt rushed up and made the scores level.

Kilnhurst again played up, and Ted Whiteouse conceded a corner. A little loose play followed, and Caterer shot through out of Crossley’s each. Less than two minutes after the Kilnhurst front rank broke away, E. Whitehouse and Collins were easily beaten, and Froggatt scored the fourth for his side.

Mexborough were then fully aroused, and Lovett, Hunt, and Cocky ” Bennett made matters very warm for the Kilnhurst backs. One of their shots seemed certain to score, but Hammond as usual got in the way. After Caterer had shot over at the other end Lovett and the left wing men became dangerous, but Hill twice stopped them, and then kicked away a warm one from “Cocky.” Lovett next sent in a beauty that was just curling in under the crossbar when Hammond stopped it. Lobley, Caterer, and Schofield tried a run, but were checked by Collins very neatly, but he kicked feebly and the attack was repeated, but with no success. The ball was taken to the top end again, and there was some very exciting work. Gough, Cousin ” Walter, and Hunt each nearly scoring. One of the shots was evidently just going through when Hill put his hand in the way, and of course the referee allowed a penalty kick. Gough took it, and Hammond awaited him on the six yards mark, but to no purpose, as Gough placed the ball easily through. A lot of desultory midfield play followed, relieved by a fruitless long-distance shot by Taylor, and a similar shot by “Cousin ” Walter, both of which were saved. W. Bensett, jun., was now playing very trickily, and time after time he centred and shot. but with no avail, and finally time was called.