Mexborough and Swinton Times January 3, 1936

Hard Going
Denaby Force Fighting Finish
Then Fall Away

Lincoln City Reserves 6 Denaby United 2

Denaby’s hopes of securing full points from their holiday programme were dashed at Lincoln on Saturday. The ground was heavy, probably worse than at Mexborough on Boxing Day, and it was mainly through this that they lost. Partly, too, through the inability of the defence to get the ball away.

Beadman, the right half, was an absentee, due to a holiday injury, his placed been taken by Smith. At no time did Sykes reveal any other form shown in the last few games perhaps the most outstanding player of the field was Fearnley, Denaby’s right-winger. Times many he made spectacular runs along his wing only to see his work wasted. During the second half he was applauded for one individual effort, only to be robbed within a few yards of goal. Although W Barr, the centre forward, failed to follow up his “Derby” “hat-trick”, he made many attempts to get going.

Speight, in the home goal, had more work to do than the score suggests. He was well covered by sound backs. The pick of a fast moving forward line were Ranson, Green and Bell.

Against the Running

Lincoln had the best of the opening exchanges. Bulger, on the extreme left, got over some nice centres, and from one of these Ranson headed over the bar, then Campbell missed by inches with a first-timer. The Denaby forwards got into their stride, Fearnley and Fleetwood forming a lively right wing. Fleetwood sent in a shot which Speight was glad to push round the post for a fruitless corner. Guest, on the left, came into the picture with a clever run, ending by just missing with a cross shot. Speight hadand also to deal with hot shot from the two Barks.

Against the run of play Lincoln gained the lead. Credit should go to Campbell, who on the spur of the moment, transferred the ball into the middle for Ranson to head in. Just before the interval he added a second goal.

Earnshaw, in the early stage of the second half, had to be on the alert when dealing with shots from Walker and Green then the crowd rose to applaud Fearnley for his great run. The Denaby defence worked hard under pressure and Leek, in trying to clear unfortunate put through his own goal will stop Denaby reduced the arrears when Fleetwood scored, and this was followed by a sharp goal from W Barks.

At this stage it appeared as if it was going to be a fighting finish, then all at once the Denaby defence fell away and Lincoln went on to score 3 more goals through Bell (2) and Ranson.