Denaby Utd – Denaby 3 Leeds Reserve 0

December 1908

Sheffield Daily Telegraph – Tuesday 29 December 1908

Denaby United 3 Leeds Reserve 0

At Denaby, before big holiday crowd. The ground was very hard, and the players on starting moved carefully, but they rapidly warmed their work, and the early exchanges saw pressure at both ends.

In a Leeds rush, Butler came the rescue and effected a fine clearance. At the other end, Padley was almost through when Bates crashed into him. Murray beat away a hot shot from Frost, and for a period Denaby did almost everything but score. Bates, the Yorkshire County cricketer, was prominent figure in the Leeds defence. Once Bowman broke away, and gave to Williams, the last-named player hitting the side of the Denaby net with a long shot.

This Leeds came again, Butler clearing finely. Denaby forced a corner, and Padley gave them the lead. From the centre kick Denaby almost added another, but Naisby cleared in an exciting scramble. Another corner to Denaby followed, for Naisby to fist away, and Leeds took up the running. Westwood broke up Astil and Jarman, and from subsequent freekick the Denaby forwards made things warm for the Leeds defence. Frost drove in a fast shot, which Naisby stopped, but could not clear, and Frost rushed up and netted Denaby’s second goal.

Kelley, the Denaby centre-half, retired injured, but without his services Denaby maintained their ascendancy.

After the interval Denaby were still in want of the services of Kelley. Leeds for a short time showed to better advantage, and tested the home defence, in which Banner and Butler were very reliable. Denaby continued to hold their own. Lowe who ran round Murray, scoring a brilliant goal. A period of pressure by Leeds followed, but Hancock was not seriously troubled. A run by the Leeds left saw Williams shoot into Hancock’s hands. Denaby took up the running, and Lowe was again conspicuous for another fine solo effort, capped by a shot which Naisbv scooped round the post for a futile corner. Leeds transferred play, and Burnett, from the half-back line, drove in a hard shot which Hancock cleverly fielded and punched away.

Denaby continued to be the more dangerous side, and several exciting passages took place in the visitors’ half. Bates, however, repeatedly cleared with fine length volleys

Result: DENABY UNITED 3 goals. Leeds Reserve 0 goal