Mexborough & Swinton Times – Saturday 30 December 1922
Denaby United 4 York City 3
A sparkling game was provided at Denaby on Saturday, when York City made their first appearance there and put up one of the best games men for many weeks.
The afternoon waS fine, and a good crowd assembled to receive excellent value for their money. Goals were plentiful and seven had been registered before the final whistle sounded. It was a name which included some surprises, and the issue fluctuated a great deal. Not until the whistle sounded could Denaby be sure of their victory, for it was quite in the running that York might regain level terms a even take the lead again.
Denaby put up a great defence and the last half-hour, and it was needed all the time to keep the energetic York forwards in check. The game was not very old when, to Denaby surprise, the visitors got a goal, which was followed very closely by the equaliser. The next minute brought York’s second goal, and Denaby turned round with a deficit.
Denaby surprise the visitors by putting on a couple of goals very quickly, and taking the lead for the first time in the game. York drew level again, but Denaby replied with another goal, and they managed to hold the lead until time arrived.
Denaby fielded a team selected, but York made one change, Lickley coming in at centre half for Smith. “Jos” Burkinshaw was greeted with enthusiastic applause when he turned out to play for his old side again. Burkinshaw was very popular with a Denaby crowd last season, and his return to the amber and black colours was very welcome.
Denaby won the toss, and were early attacking. The forwards combined well, and work their way down the field very smartly, to find a very capable and strong defence ready for them. York checked the first rush, but Cowan came near to scoring a lightning goal with a tremendous shot from midfield, the ball going just wide.
20 minutes past before the first goal came. The visitor’s right wing was responsible for the movement, and eking at savoury hot shot, following at full length. While he was on the ground, Woods secured the ball and drove it into the net with a quick effort. The reverse row is Denaby who put in some better work on which had its reward, a few minutes later, in Bretnall scoring a brilliant goal. Before the interval, however, Denaby were down again, Harron giving a beautiful pass to Moult, who scored.
The crowd was highly delighted with the appreciable improvement in form which the Denaby men displayed on changing ends. The second half was hardly five minutes all before “Jos” Burkinshaw had wiped out the deficit with one of his smart old time headers. The crowd was no more pleased than Burkinshaw himself with the success of his reappearance with Denaby.
Almost the next minute some exciting play was seen, the Denaby left him putting some very fine work. After an exciting struggle, Powell scored a good goal and gave Denaby the lead. Another minute had barely passed before Godfrey had the ball in the net and Denaby were two up.
They did not hold the sleep for very long, for Harron got away again on the wing, and from his centre Elliott scored.
The game had reached a stage where anything might happen, and further goals for each side appeared very likely. Denaby came near to scoring than did York, but, as the light failed, it was quite likely that the visitors would draw level again. A splendid defence, however, kept them out, and Denaby at secure both points when the final whistle sounded.