Denaby Utd – Denaby Utd 2 Rotherham Town 1 – Godfrey’s Brilliant Goal

9 September 1922

Mexborough Times, Sep 9th 1922

Denaby’s progress.
Convincing victory over Rotherham Town.
Godfrey´s brilliant goal.
Denaby United 2 Rotherham Town 1

For Denaby´s second-half the Tickhill square ground, on Saturday, was bathed in sunshine, and better weather could not be wished for. But Rotherham town should have been a greater attraction, and it was disappointing to see not more than 2000 spectators present. Denaby on the whole, were worthy of their 2 -1 victory, but Rotherham never slackened and were game triers.

With Powell still on the injured list, Harris kept his place at outside left, and Denaby fielded the team that gave Doncaster such a surprise. Rotherham changed their team completely. Goodison took flints place at right back, and Flint went to centre forward. Curtis at left half, changed places with Tookey, at inside left.

Rotherham kicked off against the sun with a light breeze at their backs for 10 min. There was little incident until Bretnall found his feet, and thenceforward he was its constant source of trouble to Robinson. Kemp put a header right onto the bar, and Brett Noel, meeting the rebound, caused the Rotherham goalie to concede a corner which Hamilton put behind. In three consecutive attacks following, one started by Harris and the others being forced down the middle, Bretnall was very troublesome, but his shooting was not as good as it might have been. And then Joby Godfrey came into the picture. He secured possession about 30 yards out, and nipping past Depledge made a beeline for goal with Goodison, Catliffe and Groocock after him. When on the point of shooting, however, he lost control, and overran the ball. Then Hamilton, who, with Harris, was responsible for some rousing attacks, caused a crisis in the Rotherham goalmouth by dropping a first timer just in the top corner, and Robinson did well to get rid of it. Though, Denaby were holding sway they by no means dominated. The first goal came about 5 min before the interval, when GODFREY gave Denaby the lead with a splendid effort. Receiving about 30 yards out, he went through everything and lashed the ball into the net with Robinson helpless.

The sun was not quite so strong in the second half, and, on resuming, Denaby, with the breeze behind them, were aggressive on both wings, and Kemp came near to increasing the lead. But Rotherham were getting more of the play now, and Ekins was in for an exciting time. Nash was the originator of a clever movement, and giving Chambers the ball, that players send in a hard shot which Ekins caught and, in attempting to clear, carried the ball out for a corner.

Depledge, Rotherham’s big centre, initiated many movements from which Rotherham ought to have levelled matters. The Clifton Laners, however, could make no serious impression on the Denaby defence. Matt Taylor was wonderfully steady and gave nothing away. He tackled with all his wanted vigour, and was the soundest back on the field. Aslam was also good, but not quite so good as Matt. Denaby should have increased their lead when Godfrey and Bretnall found themselves before an unprotected goal. Robinson ran out to meet the oncoming Denaby forwards, who dallied with the ball and juggled it out.

Next thing CHAMBERS had equalised. This success gave impetus to the Rotherham forwards , who had thus far been lagging. Denaby realised the position and immediately set up a bombardment, which ended in a goal 15 min from time by BRETNALL, who put the finishing touch to a delightful movement. It was started from the halfway line, and Bretnall finding himself hemmed in gave it to Harris, and that player made a splendid dash down the wing and centered for Bretnall to give Denaby the victory.

The result represented the run of the play, though Denaby should have been two more goals in front. Bretnall was very dashing but he was unsteady in front of goal. Godfrey played very well and was continually threatening the Rotherham goal.