Denaby Utd – Castleford 2 Denaby 1 – Shock Cup K.O.

4 November 1907

Sheffield Daily Telegraph – Monday 04 November 1907

Castleford 2 Denaby Utd 1

Denaby United will for many a long day remember their visit  to Castleford, the home team, in the presence of 4,000 spectators, actually knocking out the Midland Leaguers by two goals to one. And the victory was deserved, because of the greater energy and unflagging dash of the home team, who rose to the occasion splendidly. Even in the closing stages, when Denaby were striving desperately for the equaliser, there were always half-a-dozen determined defenders covering the home goal.

Denaby were palpably off colour, the halves not feeding their forwards well, with the result that the front rank was uneven and scrappy. But the real onus of defeat lay with the Denaby defence, Lawley, the captain, giving weak display. Speight was off the field injured for a time, and, though he turned out to try and help Denaby’s despairing efforts, he collapsed badly at the end the game, ambulance men rendering him first-aid.

The result was an eye-opener, and an illustration to what an extent Association football is making ground in old Rugby centres.