Nelson began the New Year with the first of three successive away games at Hartlepools' Victoria Park Ground. Regardless of the fact that Nelson were playing into a blinding sun during the first half, it proved to be a nightmare of a performance from the Blues backline.

The contest was effectively over in that 45 minute period as the home side netted at least three times, although it could be argued Birds may well have saved two of those in normal conditions.

Wolstenholme's continued his blistering run of form with another goal, but it proved to be nothing more than a consolation. When the final whistle signalled the end of a miserable afternoon, Nelson found themselves desposed from the top of the table by a resurgent Bradford Park Avenue - although the Yorkshire side had played two extra games.

(Note that facts for this match are scarce, though we will try and update them as and when we can find out more).

Match 19 summary: Saturday 6th January 1923
Hartlepools United	(?) 5	Nelson	(?) 1
		Wolstenholme
Hartlepools United: W.H. Summerfield, J.R. Walker, C. Dixon, D. Connell, W. Hopkins, W. Hampson, T.P. Yews, T.O. Parkinson, L. Braidford, C. Hardy, G.W. Rowe
Nelson: Joseph BIRDS, John STEELE, Clement RIGG, David WILSON, Ernie BRAIDWOOD, Jimmy BROADHEAD, Sid HOAD, Arthur WOLSTENHOLME, Joe EDDLESTON, Mike McCULLOCH, Bob HUTCHINSON Attendance: 5,500

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Spotland - home of Rochdale FC

Nelson faced Rochdale at Spotland with both teams knowing a victory would send them to the top of the table. This seemed to spur the home side on in the early stages and they were quite clearly on top as they put the Blues under tremendous pressure. Walters had the best chance for Dale, but sent a rasping shot inches over the Nelson bar.

As the half progressed, Nelson began to find their feet and come more into the game, and Hutchinson managed to test Crabtree with a thunderous free-kick. Back at the other end, Walters and Wall were causing the Blues many problems, but their final balls into the danger area proved disappointing.

Wolstenholme almost gave Nelson the lead but fired straight at Crabtree in the home goal, while Blues keeper Birds was forced to punch a Wall drive out to safety.

Nelson stunned the home crowd by taking the lead seven minutes before the interval. McCulloch sped down the wing and centred, and Eddleston nipped in to pick up a poor backpass from Parkes and stroke home the opener. Parkes immediately tried to atone for his mistake with a shot at the other end, but Birds was grateful to fumble the ball out for a corner.

Just before half-time, goalscorer Eddleston was injured, and he failed to reappear for the start of the second half. He did return a few minutes in though, and almost straight away helped himself to a second goal, collecting the ball and busting past the backs before driving firmly past Crabtree.

Rochdale never recovered from this second setback, and began to lose their heads as Nelson ran the show for the remainder of the game. Eddleston helped himself to a deserved hat-trick by slotting home past the advancing keeper following a pass inside from the unselfish Wolstenholme.

After a slow start it was a superbly polished performance by Nelson, who thoroughly deserved to return to the top of the table. While Eddleston again scored the goals, McCulloch and Wolstenholme were impressive allies up front, with Braidwood and Broadhead once again magnificent at the back in keeping the Dale attack in check.

Match 20 summary: Saturday 13th January 1923
Rochdale	(0) 0	Nelson	(1) 3
		Eddleston 3
Rochdale: J.J. Crabtree, J. Nuttall, S. Charlton, A.G, Hinchcliffe, D. Parkes, R. Jones, J.L. Campbell, W. Sandham, J.W. Hill, J. Walters, G. Wall
Nelson: Joseph BIRDS, John STEELE, Clement RIGG, David WILSON, Ernie BRAIDWOOD, Jimmy BROADHEAD, John BLACK, Arthur WOLSTENHOLME, Joe EDDLESTON, Mike McCULLOCH, Bob HUTCHINSON Attendance: 6,000

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Nelson took to the field at Sincil Bank in the first half facing a strong wind, but started in positive fashion. Early chances came at both ends though. Hutchinson found the side netting for Nelson, while Kean spurned a good opportunity for City by failing to find the target. Griffiths did find the target however, but saw Nelson keeper Birds punch his effort wide.

Nelson almost took the lead from a corner, but McCulloch inexplicably lifted the ball over the crossbar from almost on the goalline. Lincoln responded to the scare, with Boylan seeing a thumping shot charged down, and Pringle blasting one over the bar. The move of the match saw Sillito fire into the Nelson side netting after a move involving the whole of the City front line which was in all honesty deserving of a goal.

Birds had to be alert twice in the early stages of the second half, clearing the ball from the feet of Griffiths on each occasion. McCulloch then wasted an opportunity for Nelson after being fed by Hutchinson, and the Blues were made to pay as Lincoln took the lead.

Boylan swung a ball into the area which hit the arm of Braidwood, and despite the Nelson players' protestations it was accidental contact a penalty was awarded, from which Ward duly opened the scoring.

Both teams were reduced to ten men for several minutes after a nasty clash of heads between Hutchinson and Greaves as Nelson attacked. Kendall then rushed out to clear from the onrushing Black, and saved the follow-up shot from Wolstenholme. At the other end a mistake by Rigg let in Griffiths for City, but he wasted the chance to double the home side's lead.

Nelson pushed forward relentlessly in the final minutes but found the City defence equal to everything thrown at them, Greaves desperately clearing one effort off his own line. Steele had Nelson's final chance with a dipping 30-yard free-kick, but Kendall managed to tip the ball over the bar.

Defeat number seven of the season for Nelson, and it meant another new name at the top of the Third Division, with Chesterfield (and Rochdale) moving ahead of the Blues on goal average.

Match 21 summary: Saturday 20th January 1923
Lincoln City	(0) 1	Nelson	(0) 0
Ward pen.
Lincoln City: J.W. Kendall, G.H. Greaves, F. Ward, J.G. McGrahan, R.W. Fenwick, L. Thorpe, J. Boylen, H. Pringle, T. Griffiths, A. Kean, H. Sillito
Nelson: Joseph BIRDS, John STEELE, Clement RIGG, David WILSON, Ernie BRAIDWOOD, Jimmy BROADHEAD, John BLACK, Arthur WOLSTENHOLME, Joe EDDLESTON, Mike McCULLOCH, Bob HUTCHINSON Attendance: 4,000