South Yorkshire Times — Friday, 7 September 1934
F.A. Cup — All Square
Denaby Lose Early Lead
Brilliant ’Keeping
Denaby 1, Mexboro’ 1.
Denaby and Mexboro’ failed to settle their tie at the first attempt, the game at Tickhill Square ending in a 1-1 draw. This was a fair result, although Mexboro’ did the bigger share of the pressing, the brilliant goalkeeping of Astle made it seem unlikely that he would ever be beaten, while on the less frequent occasions when the Mexboro’ goal was threatened it seemed more likely to fall.
The attendance was not as good as usual for these games, the gate receipts being £56.
The game had a sensational opening, Denaby being a goal up within the first minute. With the slope in their favour the home side opened with a determined rush. Burkinshaw punted the ball up the middle and Parden, the new centre-forward from Rhyl, quickly transferred it to Lowe, who had not the least difficulty in beating Edge from close range.
The Mexboro’ backs were caught napping by this sudden onslaught, Happs being further disconcerted by the awkward bounce of the ball, which struck a tuft of grass as he attempted to intervene.
Denaby continued to hold the upper hand for the first 20 minutes, the confidence their early success had given them being shown by the cool and deliberate way they worked and used the ball. Theoretically this should soon have brought more goals, but a slight tendency to over-elaborate prevented this.
The Mexboro’ defence tightened up, Mountney in particular doing magnificent work. Young Hampshire, the tall centre-half, also threw himself into the thick of the fray, and though rather headstrong, broke up many dangerous moves. Moxon and Parry seemed to get through more and more as the match progressed and gradually the game swung round into Mexboro’s favour.
An early injury to Smith had put the Denaby attack out of gear, and thanks to the dash of Raynor and the tireless foraging of George Walker, the forwards began to make their presence felt. Astle was fully extended in dealing with shots from Raynor, Smith and Hill, but rose to the occasion splendidly. He was full of confidence, his fielding of the ball was masterful, and his judgment unerring.
Well covered by Matt Taylor, who was as usual a big stumbling block, and Ernest Woodhouse, the former Mexboro’ and Wednesday back, he seemed absolutely infallible, and it was obvious he would only be beaten from a much closer range than the Mexboro’ forwards were able to find.
He was almost incessantly in action during the last ten minutes of the first half, but showed no signs of faltering, and made a defiantly confident save from Raynor at the foot of the post right on the interval.
The Equaliser
Mexboro’ continued to exert the bulk of pressure on resuming and Bolan, who had for the most part been crowded out previously, had a great chance of equalising. Parry, whose constructive moves were a feature of the game, fed Raynor, who swung the ball across the goalmouth where Bolan had a clear shot at goal. The Mexboro’ centre failed to get hold of the lively ball, however, and shot over.
This lapse was made good before the half had been in progress ten minutes, Walker boring his way through to beat Astle at close quarters from what seemed an impossible angle. The Denaby ’keeper made a gallant effort to save but the ball went in off the post.
It was a fine goal and a fitting reward for the visitors’ most industrious forward. Subsequently the game swung from end to end, both goals surviving almost miraculously.
Smith performed prodigies in the Denaby defence and Guest was the most dangerous forward at this stage. A fierce and vicious appeal for a penalty, when Parden sprawled his length in the Mexboro’ goalmouth, was ignored, as a previous appeal at the other end for hands against Burkinshaw had been, and the game ended with the sides on terms.
It was on the whole a lively and interesting game, the standard of football being as high as could be expected so early in the season. The referee, Mr. E. Styring, of Sheffield, kept well up with the play, and few of his decisions were open to question.
Mexboro’ were best served in defence. Edge was sound in goal, though he had nothing like so much to do as had Astle. Happs settled down to play well after a rather shaky opening, and Mountney was a veritable tower of strength. Though he showed by some rather wild kicking that he has still a good deal to learn, Hampshire gave a most promising display.
Strong and speedy, and favoured with a commanding physique, he did a lot of good work in defence, and also took the ball up in fine style on occasion. Parry, a hard worker, always trying to make openings for his forwards, and Moxon gave the young pivot excellent support.
The forwards were not so good, though no fault could be found with Raynor and Walker. The injury to Smith, who showed pluck in carrying on, probably had something to do with the line’s shortcomings.
Denaby had a better balanced attack with Parden a promising acquisition. Guest, strong and clever, thoroughly justified his inclusion and should keep his place. The defence was sound without being distinguished, though Astle, of course, must be excepted