Mexborough & Swinton Times – Friday 20 November 1903
A Black Day for Denaby
Last Saturday will be remembered by no Denaby players and supporters for a long time to come, both the first and second strings being beaten in hollow fashion. In the Midland League fixture at Sheffield, against the Wednesday Reserves, Denaby United were tackling the champions, who proved to be at the top of their form, Denaby being “downed” by no less than nine goals to nil.
Criticism is needless, but I cull the following comments from our two Sheffield contemporaries:
“That particularly smart reserve team attached to the Wednesday club brought off another capital victory on Saturday, and now have an average of nearly five goals to one in the Midland League. Throughout the one test they were a bit the superior side, and gave one of their most brilliant displays, the work of the front rank being of the highest order.
Their combination completely puzzled the Denaby halves. Beech made an admirable pivot, and, although Nimrod was the best half on the visiting side, he was no match for Stewart, who scored four goals, and Beech three, and Eyre, the last-named, giving vastly improved exhibitions at outside-left.
Against the home halves, backed up by a sound pair of backs, the Denaby forwards rarely shone, save owing to the spirited attempts of Dyal. Considering the amount of pressure that was brought to bear upon the Denaby goal, Lawley and Porter by no means did badly, but it was clearly evident that they were outclassed. Massey, the old Wednesday goalkeeper, played a great game for his team, despite the fact that nine goals were scored against him. He was found heaps of work, and many of his saves were exceedingly clean and well executed.”
—Sheffield Telegraph.
“The Midland League game at Owlerton on Saturday between Sheffield Wednesday Reserves and Denaby United was a very one-sided affair, there being only one team in it from first to last. To the tune of nine goals to none did the blue and white send Denaby home defeated, and the score, great as it was, is a fair indication of the game.
To the Wednesday forwards, of course, belongs the main credit of the big victory. From start to finish all five played a beautiful game, and although Beech and Stewart were the chief goal scorers, the others deserve full credit for their share in the hollow victory.
The half-backs, too, showed very good form, and dealt easily enough with the spasmodic attacks of the Denaby forwards. The backs and Jarvis had really nothing to do.
On the Denaby side Massey, the old Wednesday goalkeeper, did very good work, despite the huge score piled up against him, bringing off some very smart saves, but he had little support from his backs, while the half-backs were palpably outplayed at all points of the game.”
—Sheffield Independent.