Mexborough & Swinton Times – Saturday 03 May 1924
Denaby’s Fight
Just Beaten at Mansfield
Mansfield Town 3, Denaby United 2
A goal scored by Donovan in the closing minutes of an even game at Mansfield snatched the full points for the champions. After their very hard week’s work, with games at Sutton on Monday and Nottingham on Thursday, the United gave a very good show. The conditions were bad, and the crowd small. Denaby had Damms and Cooper on the left wing.
Mansfield had the better of the opening exchanges, but were checked by offside infringements. A breakaway by the home left was stopped by Bisby. But after ten minutes Donovan headed a good goal from Lawrie’s centre. The champions played well during the succeeding minutes, and Bromage had to be smart to stop Lawrie going through. Lawrie was rather roughly handled by Hill, who was taking Holden’s place at left half, and retired for a time.
Denaby were under heavy pressure, but Bromage got up well to a couple of high shots, and then repelled a fast ground drive from Baylis. Denaby took a turn, and from a corner Picknett equalised. At the other end Donovan missed a good chance.
Denaby attacked strongly in the first minutes of the second half, and Hardstaff had some work to do. Bromage cleared when a free-kick was awarded Mansfield just outside the penalty area when Lawrie was brought down. Mansfield had a little the better of the exchanges for a while but were not very dangerous.
Flint again gave Mansfield the lead, and Hamilton again made the scores level, but Donovan scored the winning goal near the end.
Teams
Mansfield: Hardstaff; Hollas and Bretford; Coupland, Bryan and Bayliss; Lawrie, Taylor, Donovan, Flint and Holden.
Denaby United: Bromage; Bisby and Taylor; Chambers, Illingworth and Hill; Spencer, Picknett, Hamilton, Damms and Cooper.
Referee: A. B. Proctor, Barnsley.