Mexborough and Swinton Times April 19, 1935
Stirring Denaby Rally
Hat-trick for McPhail
Denaby United 5 Grimsby Town Reserves 3
Denaby United accomplish their finest performance of the season on Saturday when they beat a strong Grimsby Reserve side by a convincing margin after being 3-1 down at the interval. The win was achieved by a splendid second-half rally, during which Denaby not only assured any amount of spirit but also played better football than they have done all the season.
Although their best work was done after the interval, Denaby did quite well in the first, and it was all of the opportunism of Ponting which enabled the visitors to establish a 3-1 lead before the interval.
During the first half-hour Denaby held their own, and in fact is much attacking as thereupon. However Swan was on the spot to run the ball past Calladine from close range when it came across from the right, thus giving Grimsby the lead after 30 minutes.
Denaby equalised almost immediately. Law and McPhail worked the ball through and the latter went on to give the advancing Read no chance with a cross shot.
The last 15 minutes of the half continued to provide surprises, for Grimsby went straight to the other end and Ferrier completed a move in which he was greatly helped by Siddall, the former down the wing, by passing to Ponting in such a way that the centre forward and an easy chance and make good use of it but Grimsby ahead again. Another goal by Ponting, who it turned around suddenly in a goal mouth scramble and hooked the ball wide Calladine, but Grimsby in a strong position.
McPhail Again
the continued force the pace on resuming, but next call fell to Denaby. Jacobson Barclay were slow in getting the ball away, and Lowe nipped in and swung it across to MacPhail, who swept it well out of Read’s reach.
A corner on the left brought the equaliser. Cross placed the ball well and McPhail Eddie towards goal. The ball seemed to be going past the post but Jones, the home centre forward got his head to it and slid it over Read’s hands into the net.
This was all that Denaby required to give them absolute confidence in themselves, and with Booth and Cross on the wing continually menacing the Grimsby defence they made a bold bid for victory. Reed beat out a shot from Booth to MacPhail, whose header put Denaby ahead, and Jones brilliantly worked the ball past three defenders to give Cross the chance of putting on Denaby’s fifth goal.
With players of the calibre of Read and Jacobson in their defence, Grimsby had not the excuse that they were weakly represented, though their back line did not seem so commanding as usual.
Denaby were well served on the wings by Booth and Cross, both of whom did exceptionally well. Booth showed plenty of initiative and was not afraid to beat his man before passing and Cross was very persistent. McPhail again played well, fully merited his first “hat-trick” for the club.