Sheffield Daily Telegraph – Monday 07 March 1904
The Midland League
The consistently good work of the rival reserves of the two great Sheffield teams has placed the two teams well ahead of other competitors in the Midland League, the championship of which will assuredly go to the cutlery capital again. Sheffield United Reserve, thanks to Wednesday’s slip at Doncaster last week, were given a fine chance of getting a “look in” again, and notwithstanding the rain, a big and enthusiastic crowd lined the Denaby enclosure.
The game was disappointing, the standard of skill vacillating. Perhaps this was owing to the strong start of the Sheffielders, who were three up at the end of the first ten minutes. Lang and Needham showed experience of First League football by individual brilliancy that told heavily on more than one occasion.
Up to half-time the visitors had matters practically their own way, and the second half also opened in startling fashion, Edgeley scoring in the first few minutes. Denaby then showed up a bit better, and the game from now was much more even. For the winners, Needham and Lang were the best forwards, closely followed by Edgeley. Hogg was a shade more prominent than he had been as a hard-working middle-line colleague, whilst Fidler was the best of a moderate pair of backs. For Denaby, Lawley, the right back, improved out of all knowledge in the second half, and finished with a fine display; Nimrod was the best half, whilst the forwards were on much of an equality.
Sheffield Daily Telegraph – Monday 07 March 1904
Denaby United v. Sheffield United Reserve
This game was contested at Denaby before a fair attendance. The visitors started in excellent style, and it was not long before Lang got through with the first goal. Denaby were held back fairly comfortably, and in another attack Needham put on a second goal. The same player was responsible for another point. Then Denaby improved, but Chadfield slipped when shooting.
At the interval the score favoured Sheffield by three goals to nothing. After the interval Sheffield United forced the pace, Massey saving from a crowd of players. Denaby forced a corner, and then Needham put in fine work, Edgeley scoring Sheffield’s fourth goal. Denaby retaliated, and Lawley netted with a penalty kick.
Denaby pressed persistently, but were driven back. Sheffield United attacked, Lawley pulling up Lang cleverly. Nimrod was ordered off for striking Roberts. Lang ran three-parts of the field, and scored a dazzling goal.
Result: Sheffield United Reserve, 5 goals; Denaby United, 1 goal.