Mexborough & Swinton Times — Saturday, 21 March 1914
Denaby Go Down
The indomitable South Kirkby—the Sheffield Association League leaders—paid a visit to Denaby on Saturday. Both teams turned out at full strength, and those who anticipated an exciting contest were not disappointed, for interest never flagged throughout the whole 90 minutes.
South Kirkby won the toss and gained a considerable advantage by having the wind and the sun at their backs. The opening exchanges were thrilling, both teams working hard for supremacy, but the run of the play was slightly in favour of the visitors, and the Denaby eleven had frequently to adopt the defensive.
The first goal came to Kirkby through Bradley, the result of some good combination on the part of the visiting quintette. Immediately after, the home side took up the attack, and Penton equalised with a good goal from a centre from the left wing. Kirkby again took the lead, and nearly on half-time Lawley, for Denaby, brought the score level with an easy shot, which accrued from a mistake by the Kirkby defence. Thus on equal terms the game was re-started, but the second moiety was not far advanced when Bradley again put the visitors in front, a point that was well-earned.
The game became exciting, and good form was displayed by both teams. Calladine made a laudable effort, but was badly brought down in the penalty area. Hatton took the kick for the home team, and made no mistake, banging the ball into the corner of the net.
The game had only five minutes to go when Swinbourne and Patterson unfortunately collided, the latter having to leave the field. Now playing one man short, the home team broke up, and the visitors scored twice in the ensuing minutes, the home team being unable to reply.