Newark Town v Rotherham United 1930

[ScjR]

NEWARK'S TRIUMPH.
Midland Leaguers Give Rotherham the Go-By.
INJURED GRAY’S PLUCK.
(By Westgate.)
Both teams were at full strength, F. C. Wheeler, the amateur outside-left, returning to the United’s team after a week’s absence, causing Murden to move from outside to inside-left. The Midland League team included Best, who as goalkeeper for the United, was always popular with the Millmoor supporters. There was a representative number from Rotherham, all wearing red and white colours, and the Merry Miller, the Supporters’ Club mascot, was prominently placed so that it could be seen from alI parts of the ground. Rain fell throughout the morning, and it was falling when the game commenced. Teams:—
Newark Town.—Best ; Pearson and York; Stanniland. Bennett and Lowe; McLean. Roseboom, Steed, Hoddinott and Morton.
Rotherham United.—Harris; Jackson and Freeman; Skull, and Whitworth; Sellars, Gray, Hick, Murden and F. C. Wheeler.
Referee: Mr. Manderfield (Grantham).
The teams turned out before about 2,000 spectators. The United mascot was presented to Jackson, the captain of the team, when he went on the field.
Jackson won the toss and took advantage of the wind. From the start Gray pushed the ball up the centre of the field to Hick, who put it out to Wheeler. The left-winger, however lost the ball to Stanniland. On two occasions Stanniland stopped passes out to Wheeler.
From the start it was evident that it was difficult to control the ball. The first thrill was provided by Bratley, who fired over the bar. Newark attacked on the right, but the ball was put behind by McLean. A centre from Morton was dropping straight for Steed, but Freeman cleared. After a dangerous raid Rotherham, when a shot from Murden was smothered, Newark went down, and a centre from Morton was headad away by Freeman. The home side appealed for a goal on the grounds that the ball had been over the line The appeal, however was ignored.
A ROTHERHAM ESCAPE.
Newark were playing with determination and Jackson and Freeman were early tested. Jackson did well to hold the Newark line.
Rotherham were lucky when Roseboom tackled Harris, who was clearing an attack. The goalkeeper lost the ball and again Jackson was outstanding in getting it away. Newark were settling down to the wretched conditions better than the visitors.
During another Rotherham attack Bratley and Skull tried Iong shots without success.
Gray seemed to be slow. So far the game had been a typical cup-tie match. Rotherham had a chance next, Sellars centring well and Best missed the ball as he went out. Murden got hold of the ball, but he was so awkwardly placed that he was unable to put much behind it, and it was scrambled away.
Rotherham tried to play methodically but owing to the state of the ground their combination failed. Newark were repeatedly putting the ball in the goalmouth and SPEED scored alter 23 minutes.
Newark kept up the pressure and the Rotherham goal had a narrow escape when Roseboom put in a cross shot, which missed by inches. Sellars shot after turning right round, but Best was there and cleared. A minute later he had another chance, but was hopelessly wide.
Rotherham attacked and Sellars shot into the goalmouth. Hick headed out to his colleagues, but the ball went outside. A nice shot by Hick was going to Sellars when Lowe nipped in and cleared. Hick tried a shot, but Best dealt with it easily.
From a centre by Morton. Steed was very close with a header. Going up the field Wheeler showed some good foot work and from his centre Hick grazed the upright.
Five minutes from half-time STEED added a second goal. Hoddinott shot in and as Harris met it he could not hold it and Steed put it into the net.
A minute later MURDEN scored for Rotherham, heading in beautifully from Sellars. Halftime
Newark Town 2, Rotherham United 1
The United turned out in yellow and black shirts instead of red and white. Newark went straight up the field, and Harris caught a centre from McLean, but lost the ball, to recover it again, and threw it away dangerously. Harris can stop a ball, but he was unable to clear satisfactorily. Rotherham forced two corners without success. Steed was allowed to go on when apparently well offside, but Harris got to the ball first, and a foul was given for him when Steed bumped him. The game continued to be played at a terrific speed, and considering the state of the ground it was a good game. Thrills were plentiful, Bratley trying a long shot without success.
Rotherham were coming into the picture, but the Midland leaguers were a smart lot, and gave nothing away. Harris made a difficult save from Steed, and a minute later saved from Roseboom.
After 12 minutes Gray was carried off the field.
Whitworth put in a long shot, but was hopelessly wide.
Wheeler played pretty football before passing to Murden, but the inside man’s shot was smothered.
Gray returned after five minutes' absence, but soon after he collapsed after heading the ball and was again taken off.
Rotherham were fighting desperately, and were certainly having the better of matters now. They were attacking persistently in spite of the handicap of playing with only ten men.
GRAY OFF FOR THIRD TIME.
Sellars and Wheeler did some good work. It was quite a long time before Harris was tested and that was when he cleared a centre from Morton.
Gray walked on to the field but the trainer, Mr. Slade, took him off again.
Hick put in a high shot which Best caught and cleared with his usual brilliance. The United were exerting themselves to their fullest extent, and a shot from Sellars rested on the top of the net.
Twice from goal kicks Harris put tha ball out of play.
It was undoubtedly unfortunate that Rotherham lost Gray for so long. With nine minutes to go Gray went on to the field again at outside-right. He appeared very unsteady.
Right to the end Rotherham fought with all their might A corner by Sellars dropped dangerously in the goalmouth and was scrambled away.
Gray was beaten, but he insisted in staying on the field.
Result:-NEWARK TOWN 2 ROTHERHAM UNITED ... 1
Receipts £125; attendance 2.700.

The Star Green Un Saturday 29th November 1930

[jocksgloves]

A little known cup shock to most Millers fans.

[mikemiller]

A little known cup shock to most Millers fans.

Playing at right-half for the Millers was Reg Freeman (I think). Soon after to become player-manager, then manager of the Millers, and eventually guiding them to promotion from Division Thee North to Division Two. Match would have been a big FA Cup shock result in it's day.