South Yorkshire Times — Friday, 28 September 1934
Shock for Rovers
Spirited Denaby Rally
Doncaster Rovers 1, Denaby 1
Those who go to Belle Vue to watch a football match for the first time, and some who have been oftener, feel there is “something different” about the ground. Actually there is a “difference,” for Doncaster’s playing pitch is one of the biggest in the country—quite big enough for some teams to get “lost” on. We had hardly got into the ground when an official said, “I shall look for your report on Friday. I get the ‘Times’ every week.”
Denaby gave the Doncaster supporters a shock. They expected an easy victory, for some contend that the Reserves are as good as the League team. They would have had a bigger shock had Denaby taken all the chances which came their way. More precision could have been achieved if Huck had less foraging to do and received more and better passes from the wing men.
Doncaster were a much bigger set than Denaby who, after a rebuff in the fourth minute, fought back so well that two points and not one would have been a just reward.
Doncaster’s first goal so early on was cleverly worked. Rennie received the ball 25 yards out and tackled by Carte passed to Harkin who ran on. It looked as though he would run the ball out but he put across a square pass three yards from the line which BOTH had no difficulty in turning into the net.
When only nine minutes had gone Doncaster should have increased the lead. There was a free kick just outside the penalty area. Denaby lined up but Rennie tipped a short pass to Harkin, who slipped through, and with only Astle to beat ballooned over the top. The ground was slippery on top, but this troubled Denaby more than Doncaster.
Denaby had a chance to equalise after 13 minutes. Barry was sent away but dallied till Trowell dispossessed him. Denaby came more into the picture and Huck tried several shots without success. As Denaby could not score Schofield, Doncaster’s left-back, tried to show them how. He passed back and the ball went over the advancing Imrie’s head but luckily it cannoned off the upright for a fruitless corner.
A few minutes later Schofield repeated his effort. This time he passed back over 30 yards at a speed which took the ball out for another corner. After that he played for Doncaster. Even doubtful decisions did not help Denaby. Once three of their men were allowed to go through when offside, and then Lowe shot wide with only Imrie in front of him.
Then came Huck’s opportunity. Trowell and Livesley were on the ball, behaving like polite Frenchmen, while each gave the other the chance to kick, up dashed Huck, took the ball between them and with a clear passage to goal equalised after 39 minutes.
On resuming Denaby had many chances, but offside against Huck steadied them. Bott got away and a goal looked certain but Taylor dashed across and kicked the ball out.
From the subsequent corner Smith was hurt in a collision and after receiving attention had a few minutes off to recover. Wright came right across from the left and when Bint crossed the ball he gave Astle a problem which only wonderful anticipation solved, but it was a near thing.
A long pass right over the Doncaster defenders left Lowe with an easy chance, but a tame shot into Imrie’s hands was all he could manage. Taylor put through a long pass but Huck emulated Lowe and Imrie saved again.
In the last thirty seconds Denaby could have won the match. Barry raced away and when he put across a perfect pass no one was near enough to accept it and the whistle blew.
Denaby’s halves did better than they did last week, although the line was the same, and Carte justified his continued inclusion. We should hear more of him. Smith as usual was a tower of strength. Great things were expected of Bint but Smith had him “in his pocket.” Taylor was reliable and Astle made no mistakes.
The forwards have not yet got together as one would like them to. Individual work rarely achieved anything. Trowell, Hall and Rennie were Doncaster’s best.