Mexborough and Swinton Times May 8, 1936

Shadow Side
Denaby Made Several Changes
A “Holiday” Game.

Denaby United 1, Boston 0

That typical end of season spirit toned down the game at Denaby on Saturday.

It was but a pale shadow of the Denaby United which we have watched throughout the season, for there were no less than five changes. Most notable was the inclusion of Tremain, Mexborough’s keeper, in goal. He proved that his prowness is no less when playing with Mexborough’s nearest rival, for he saved at least two terrific shots from Bird the Boston centre.

Boston also had several changes, a local lad, Savage, being included at outside right owing to the last-minute failure of their usual player in that position. From the outset it was obvious that both teams were treating the match any “holiday” spirit and there was very little serious football in the whole of the 90 minutes. Denaby, who had brought home no inferiority complex from their heavy Grimsby defeat, were the most consistent attackers, but it seen that the few Boston movements had more method. The Boston right wing work very nicely and there was a good understanding between Mitcham, the inside right, and Bird. Sykes however, was a spoiler and always managed to break up these dangerous movements before they became deadly. On one occasion it appeared that Mitcham was through, but the big Denaby pivot managed to get a heel in the way and that was the end of one more pretty raid.

Concerted Raid.

For at least a quarter of an hour in the first half there was a concerted Denaby raid on the Boston goal, in which Machin, the centre forward, do some grand work. With Tate and Fleetwood he offered a continual menace which Ellis, Bradbury and Taylor had hard work to repel. On one occasion Tate put Machin through and the latter’s shot smacked against the upright and rebounded to be met with an even fiercer drive which skidded off the side net. Vaughton, who was in the middle for Boston, played very steadily, and did as much as anyone to frustrate the Denaby attacks.

The second half and Boston defending almost desperately but it was a tribute to their solidarity that it took 20 minutes of consistent attack by Denaby to break through. When the goal came it resulted fittingly enough from a very astute movement by Tate, who had been their outstanding member of the Denaby attack throughout. He obtained the ball in midfield and remained in possession sufficiently long to lure the Boston defenders out of position. When he sent a long pass through to Fleetwood, who had moved up along with Machin, the backs appear to be in two minds as to which of the forwards would shoot, and Fleetwood had no difficulty in smacking home a knee high shot which Taylor, the Boston goalkeeper made no attempt to save.

Well satisfied.

Although the match was in the end of season tradition, there were plenty of thrills, and most of the spectators seemed well satisfied. Denaby were the more aggressive team and had more timber in their defence, which enabled them to repel the Boston attacks without a great deal of difficulty. On the other hand, Boston appeared the more scientific team and played very correct football throughout. They had a star in Bird, their Drake like centre forward, who showed more than once that he had a terrific shot. Unfortunately he did not get a great deal of support from his inside forwards, and was often crowded off the ball when within reasonable shooting distance.

E Fleetwood