South Yorkshire Times September 13, 1958
‘Back Heeler’ Led To First League Points
Denaby United 2 Grantham 1
DENABY United’s first sweeping team changes of the season—Nicholson, Linley, Allott, Kirby and Friel were brought in to the exclusion of Pilkington, Bunclark, Hankin, Lawley and Collins —apparently paid dividends on Saturday when Denaby emerged 2-1 victors from a ninety minutes’ hard-fought battle with fast, hard-hitting Grantham.
But United’s first Midland League victory this season should not be allowed to give a false impression. Admittedly, the inclusion of the five new players was a successful move and the side played well, but throughout the majority of the match Grantham were faster and more accurate.
Especially worthy of mention was their left winger, CROOKES, who seemed to be dogged by bad luck in the Denaby goal area after he had opened the scoring after 15 minutes during a full-blooded Granham forward “raid”.
On several subsequent occasions he was given fist rate opportunities, but either lack of support from his fellow-forwards or the commendable skill of Denaby goalkeeper Smethurst, foiled his attempts.
The ball was kept moving from end to end during the remainder of the first half after Crookes’ goal, but there was little excitement until Denaby left winger Bainbridge carried the ball through and skimmed the cross bar with a medium range shot eight minutes before the interval. A few minutes later there was a roar of delight from the Denaby fans as centre forward SWABY, one of the side’s most successful new signings, hammered the ball past goalkeeper Warrington.
Both teams went straight into the attack after the interval. Crookes skimmed the crossbar with a powerful drive and a few minutes later his attempt was emulated by Swaby at the opposite end of the field.
The decisive goal came after 80 minutes. During a Denaby attack on the Grantham goal area Swaby back heeled the ball to BAIMBRIDGE, who flicked it past Warrington.