Mexborough and Swinton Times October 9, 1936

Orphan Goal
Selby more Vigourous than Methodical
A Loan Hand

Denaby United 4 Selby Town 1

I guess centre forwards would give a shilling apiece for opportunities which came the way of Selby Town at Tickill Square on Saturday. They certainly had opportunities – and a bag full of bad luck – but they did not possess a match-winning combination.

A lively spearhead, and a bright left flank – yes – a successful halfback line and an equally nifty right-wing – no. The comparative weakness on this wing made the attack lopsided and one that disappointed considerably – in the finishing sense. No one could have worked harder than Thomas the Selby centre forward – but it was practically a loan hand. His co-conspirator was drummer – up to the spell which sent him off the field for a break. After that a great deal of gusto went from the sails.

“Thirty Second” Goal

it was a good tussle – three quarters of the way. Denaby sensational thirty second goal saw to that. But if Thomas Akram is only a few inches more accuracy into this shot that wind power is the Denaby post only a few second later – Selby might very easily have been level pegging so early in the game. Actually for 90% of the first half Denaby practically flooded the Selby half. Selby attacked spasmodically – whenever the occasion presented itself, or the balance was inclined to swing a little in their favour. But Denaby move with an assurance and ease which should have resulted in many more goals. Ellis shimmered the whitewash of the Selby crossbar with a glorious drive and anything might have happened up to the point when Ellis sought to finish off his earlier efforts and pave the way for Eddie Fleetwood to put Denaby two goals ahead.

If the first goal had been the work of a perfect scorning machine – the second was equally brilliant. Denaby were rarely in danger of losing their grip. It was always touch and go.

Midfield Play

it was chiefly due to the efforts of Thomas and Sharpe (on the left) that Selby took a fair share or midfield play up to the interval, and it was another touch of opportunism on the part of Thomas that gave them their orphan goal 10 minutes before half-time. Not that it worried the Denaby defenders. It was a chance well taken – a pass from drummer that Thomas hooked into the net well out of Tremain’s reach. The Denaby defence was comparatively sound. The halves, Shepherd, Swift and Parry were always sure, and Wilcox and Happs kept Tremain well covered. The ex-Mexborough goalkeeper brought off some good saves – particularly one full length from a shot by Thomas just after the commencement of the second all. There was little to find fault with the mong the forwards.

Machin raced away to give Hardy the first goal, and the third – also scored by Hardy – was a fine solo effort. Fleetwood got the second and Goodison the fourth, 23 minutes from time.

Denaby fully deserved their victory.