The History of Worksop Town: Season 1902/03 – Barnsley downpour debacle

I imagine some schoolboys would have been seeking an early finish to lessons as well.

The match was a replayed game against Barnsley Reserves, which when played on the original date in February, had seen all the players dash off the pitch and out of the ground, then devoid of shelter, in the face of a torrential downpour, sheltering in the Queen’s Head, where the players got changed. When the rain eased, Worksop returned, but Barnsley did not.

As Worksop were winning 1-0 at the time they assumed that Barnsley had forfeited the points.

The Sheffield & Hallamshire FA, disagreed and ordered the match to be replayed.

To add insult to injury they also ruled that Worksop must pay Barnsley’s train fare!

The Worksop players put all this out of their minds and drew level with the Midland League leaders by winning a 'splendidly contested tussle' 2-0. Binney and Heaton got the goals.

Just two days later on Saturday, 4th April, Worksop made the relatively short journey to Newark, though it would have meant changing trains at Retford.

The Newark club played at Muskham Road, changing in the Midland Hotel, an arrangement similar to the one Worksop had with the Queens Head.

Around 700 'sportsmen' gathered to watch Newark score twice, James Horsley grabbing both goals to put Worksop under pressure.

The few Worksop followers in the crowd held their breath as their heroes strived to gain at least a point, but although John Binney did pull a goal back, the Trentsiders as they were known, hung on for the win - another setback for Worksop’s title challenge.

The next fixture in under a week was the Good Friday clash at Central Avenue with Sheffield United Reserves when a huge crowd was expected and good weather was fervently hoped for.

(To be continued).