21-09-31: Bradford City (a) 1-2 HT (0-1) Crowd (3,120 £156)

Yorkshire Post Match Report: 22-09-1931(Courtesy Steve Bell)

POOR DISPLAY BY LEEDS.

Bradford City Win with Eight Changes in Side.

Leeds United, fielding practically a full side lost their West Riding Senior Cup semi-final with Bradford City at Valley Parade last night by two goals to one, and it is pointed out that the Valley Paraders made no fewer than eight changes in their side, the failure of the visitors becomes somewhat humiliating for them. Leeds had plenty of chances to gain a comfortable victory, for they had more of the play than their opponents, especially in the second half. There was not, however, that danger in front of goal which the City forwards displayed, and the United's defeat may be put down to the old finishing weakness of the forwards. One or two good shots were sent in certainly - by Wainscoat and Furness for example - but there were many more put wide of the posts, thus Shirlaw, being more constantly on the alert than Potts, had fewer difficult shots to deal with, and indeed, it may be said that but for Potts, United's defeat would have been much heavier. As it was, besides the shots that beat him, he saw the woodwork of his goal struck on two occasions when he was beaten. Jack Hill kept a very tight hand on Keetley, and the Leeds leader, though willing enough, had had very little chance to distinguish himself, while Wainscoat and Furness at times had to fall back and could not always assist their immediate partners as they should have done. The best men in the Leeds front line were Cochrane and Duggan. Cochrane, especially, was a dangerous raider, though even he was not without his faults. With the exception of Hart, who played well throughout, the Leeds defence did not impress. The backs frequently over-kicked their forwards - evidently being content to clear anyhow, and with no thought of putting their side on the attack, and the wing halves were often beaten for speed by the City front rank. Stott, for example, often showed Copping and Menzies a clean pair of heels, and Pegg frequently got the better of Stacey. Medley led the City forward line coolly and cleverly - even though opposed to Hart, and Mitchell got through a vast amount of brilliant work. Little fault could be found with the Paraders, for they came through a gruelling experience with flying colours. Stott opened the scoring after fifteen minutes after changing places with Medley and easily completing the latter's centre, while soon after the interval he struck one of the Leeds posts with a terrific drive. Later Medly ran right through, beat Menzies and put the ball wide of Potts when the goalkeeper came out to meet him. To the relief of Leeds, however, the ball struck the far upright and was eventually cleared. Thirty-two minutes of this half had gone when Mitchell broke through. The winger centred accurately, Medley beat Menzies and gave Potts no chance with his final shot. Three minutes later, Cochrane took up a centre from Duggan and beat Shirlaw, but subsequently Potts saved well from Medley and City ran out worthy winners.

Teams:- Bradford City: Shirlaw; McDermott, Partridge; Helsby, Hill, Bauld; Stott, Mitchell, Medley, Peel, Pegg. Leeds United: Potts; Milburn (J.), Menzies; Stacey, Hart, Copping; Duggan, Furness, Keetley, Wainscoat, Cochrane. Referee: J. Tate, Halifax.