Denaby Utd – Doncaster Rovers 1 Denaby 1 – Eye Opener for Bell Vue

2 September 1922

Mexborough Times, September 2, 1922

Old Rivals Denaby Hold Their Own At Doncaster
An Eye-Opener for Bellevue
Doncaster Rovers 1 Denaby United 1

Doncaster Rovers: Jacklin; Wigglesworth and Jackson; Miller Ashmore and McLean; Burton, Charlesworth, Boardman, Bauchop and Rintoul
Denaby United: Ekins; Haslam and Taylor; Reed, Cowan and Hill; Hamilton, Kemp, Bretnall, Godfrey and Harris.

I should imagine, writes our Doncaster correspondent, that the match between Doncaster Rovers and Denaby United on Saturday last on the Rovers new ground, will rank amongst the most enjoyable ever played between these two rivals. Both clubs are vastly improved combinations, compared with a year ago. Denaby in fact more nearing approach their “team of all the talents, 14 years ago when they narrowly missed the championship. Their fatal weakness on Saturday was their inability to push own cleverly conceived attacks, and just towards the close, they showed a disposition to tire. Had their forwards shot at all well they might have taken the full points. But both sides made mistakes, and therefore a draw was a very fitting result will stop.

It was unfortunate for Denaby that Powell, their crack outside left, had to be rested going to injury, but Harris gave a brilliant display in his stead, and with Hamilton, was outstanding. These two speedy wingers were chiefly responsible for Denaby’s rousing display. Rarely did they waste a ball, and I do not remember one of the many corner kicks been placed away, except that Hamilton failed to get sufficient lift on the ball.

Denaby impressed spectators by their dashing display, while an additional attraction was the inclusion in the side of Gilbert Kemp and Percy Reed, old Rovers. This team, as a whole, pulled well together, the secret of their success. Perhaps been the keenness of their tackling and accurate placing.

At times the Rovers were made to look very commonplace, but as the game wore on, it was seen there was little between them. The carpet weaving of the Rovers attack did not come off, mainly owing to robust and determined tackling. Denaby, I will nursed another good centre half, for Callan, a product of bullcroft, was no which behind Ashmore, even if he found Boardman rather too big a handful. Haslam and Matt Taylor were generally reliable, were once or twice they collapsed under heavy pressure, and it was only the smartness of Ekins, also an old Rover, that saved the situation. It was really a good thing for Denaby that the Balby man was in form.

It was after the first assault launched by Denaby that we saw the Rovers true form. For 20 minutes Wigglesworth and Jackson were kept at full stretch, Hamilton and Kemp making fine play, though Harris and got free were not a whit behind, but gradually the Rovers got going, and twice Ekins dived to save great shots from Boardman and Bauchop, while once he picked up from Boardman, who shot hard and truefrom 20 yards. But the “gift” of the first half came when Boardman wriggled through, and with only Ekins to beat, placed wide.

At the other end, Kemp put tamely wide with Jacklin asking for work. In fact, little danger came from the visitors indeed, despite clever midfield tactics. They allowed themselves to be buried at the critical moment, all three shooting weakly despite splendid delivered centres. Both sides gave several corners, these were of no avail, though once Jacklin

made a spectacular clearance, punching out a high and swift travelling centre from Harris as it flashed across the goalmouth. This was practically the only danger shot the home goalie at team negotiate, for he had no chance with the one which scored. This came 10 min before the interval, and was due in the first place to hesitation by Jackson. The ball was sent across to Hamilton meddled nicely for Bretnall to bank home at close quarters. And it was by this that the Colliers lead at the interval.

The second half produced a rare battle for supremacy in which both halfback lines showed up to rare advantage. Several times Burton got clear, on one occasion when Taylor missed his kick, but he sent itto square. Jacklin at the other end, had to pick up from Bretnall and Hamilton but there was no sting behind the shot. The equaliser came following pretty play between Bauchop and BOARDMAN, the latter being left with a clear course, and this time he made no mistake. Ekins, having no chance.

Denaby put more ginger into their work after this, but again the old fault was discernible. Once, in a hot attack, an appeal for a penalty for hands was turned down, and a succession of corners failed to materialise. Towards the end the Rovers tried hard for the decider, and eating is and his defenders and an anxious time, for, Boardman and childless were nearly always on the premises.