Mexborough and Swinton Times April 28, 1939
Sports Editor’s Comments
A quarter of an hour before the end it seemed too good to be true. But the minutes sped by, the wind threw forwards off their stroke, the referee looked at his watch (and then at his whistle) – and it was there!
Denaby had won! Two solid points!
The first pair since October 8, 1938. The first pair since the defeat of Mansfield. It has been a peculiarity of United’s fortune that points should be wrested from leading clubs. Grantham can hardly at this stage be termed “leading,” But, though they are midway in the table, they have but 10 points less than the leaders, and are one of only seven “heavy brigades” in the Midland league to send up a century of goals this season. On Saturday, to add joy to achievement, they were held goalless.
It was in the second match of the season that Denaby won their first point. They drew at Tickhill square with Scarborough, Betts scoring a hat-trick. Then on October 8 beat Mansfield 4-2 and Betts again scored a hat-trick.
A further point came on November 5. United drew2-2 with Gainsborough (Betts again got one of the goals – and Hughes the other), but thereafter we pass on to April this year before the next point is recorded. On the first Kelly, of Conisbrough Welfare, making his Midland league debut, scored a point winner against Notts County and presumably the idea was catching Paul Fletcher snatched another against Shrewsbury seven days later.
What about double figures in the points column by the end of the season?