Mexborough and Swinton Times April 12, 1935
End-of-Season Flavour
Denaby 2, Frickley 2
There was a distinct end of season flavour about this game at Tickhill square on Saturday, and once or twice the spectators appealed to the players (not without reason) to “wake up.” The result was a fair enough reflection of the play for though Denaby allowed themselves to be overhauled after establishing a two-goal lead, and Frickley got the equaliser from a penalty, the South Elmsall side deserved their point, if only for the way they persisted in trying to play constructive football.
The conditions made the ball behave more like a balloon than football, and none of the players succeeded in controlling it adequately, with the result that there was a lot of scrappy play. With the sun and wind at their backs in the first half Denaby did most of the pressing and Calladine rarely had to handle the ball. Breeden at the other end was kept busy and made several smart saves, though he was lucky when a short range shot from cross struck his leg and was deflected on the post. However, he saved pluckily at the feet of Hinsley, and the shots of McPhail and W Smith, which beat him, he could hardly have been expected to save. The Frickley defence was given plenty to do and Brigham and Kettle never relaxed their efforts, but Roberts did as much as anyone to frustrate the Denaby attack, in which only McPhail was really dangerous though Cross made some praiseworthy efforts.
When Renshaw and Parkin caught Fred Smith in two minds the Frickley centre forward was able to take the ball forward, round Matt Taylor and scored the best goal of the match, a grand cross drive which had Calladine beaten all the way. Frickley’s second goal came well on in the second half when Clark brought down Parkin and Wraith converted the ensuring penalty.
Every member of the Frickley side made an attempt to find a colleague whenever he parted with the ball, and although these passes did not always reach their objective, one could admire praiseworthy efforts to achieve results by orthodox and attractive methods. Renshaw was always making openings, and though Wraith was erratic he also did many clever things. Parking was well watched but made the most of what opportunities he had.
Hinsley was not a success as leader of the Denaby attack, and McPhail was easily the best of the home forwards, in fact the best forward afield. Clarke and Taylor defended well, and though he had little to do Calladine created a good impression.