Mexborough & Swinton Times – Friday 25 September 1903
The English Cup
A Desperate Game at Denaby
Midland Leaguers Badly Beaten
Mexboro’ Town 2, Denaby United 0. That, my friends, in cold figures, tells the story of the English Cup tie at Denaby on Saturday; and it is no exaggeration to say that the drubbing meted out to the Midland Leaguers by the unexcited Mexboro’ Town team formed, when the shades of evening fell, a popular topic for conversation in Mexboro’, even if it failed to find such favour within the confines of the colliery village.
It was my first sight of football this season, and the outstanding impression the match left on my mind was the fact that locally the great winter pastime retains its undoubted popularity, the big crowd of onlookers right through the struggle voicing their enthusiasm in no uncertain manner. Indeed, at times, the air was electric, and the feelings of both players and spectators were worked up to such a pitch as to necessitate the referee stopping the play once or twice, and “laying down the law” in a few emphatic words.
Yes, the glamour of an English cup-tie had laid hold of everyone within the enclosure, and whilst Mexboro’s gallant victory sent hundreds of their supporters home in the seventh heaven of delight, the decisive nature of Denaby’s defeat acted contrariwise on the backers of United, whose confidence in the ability of their pets to win was rudely shattered.
The atmospheric conditions were perfect, and with the ground in good order both teams had a fair field, and no untoward favour. As for the game, it was early on evident that the players were suffering from a bad attack of cup-tie fever, and this had an adverse influence on the play. Of dash there was plenty, but much was unduly wasted, neither set of forwards showing combination worthy of the name.
Not that the play lacked exciting incident; far from it. Smart runs and clever step-passes repeatedly caused the cheers of the onlookers. Still, when all is said and done, in the first half the four backs were easily masters of the situation, opposing attacks giving them many a free clearance through pursuing kick-ahead and rush tactics.
Of the four backs, Westwood, of Mexboro’, was easily the most prominent, repeatedly catching the eye with daring clearances. His duels with Holmes, United’s right winger, generally ended in the latter getting the worst of the deal, but it must be said in favour of the ex-Sheffield United man that most of Denaby’s attacks were led by him.
The half-back play all round was sound, Nimrod putting in a lot of sterling work for Denaby, whilst McNeil was always conspicuous for the Townites, his impetuosity, however, occasionally costing his side a free kick. Naturally, the exchanges were keen, but there was a pleasing absence of dirty play. Indeed, in my opinion, the referee was far too fond of the whistle, several stoppages for minor technical offences being quite unnecessary.
Both goalkeepers were called upon, but the shots lacked devil and were easily disposed of. Hancock had to rush out several times, and in this one respect he compared somewhat unfavourably with his vis-à-vis.
Following a fast run by Tayles, Whitworth and Rogers took the ball along, Hancock clearing in the nick of time. McNeil was prominent with spoiling tactics, but a foul by that player made things look ominous for Mexboro’.
The free kick was nicely placed, and Tayles almost forgot the new law, reserving just in time to disregard shouts of “Let it go.” Denaby pressed, and Holmes crossed in beautiful fashion, only to see his eager colleague whistled off-side.
Going away with a rattle the Mexboro’ forwards transferred play, and Biggs missed a glorious chance by failing to cap a clinking centre from Roper. Play was now fast and furious, and Holmes was heading full sail for goal when Westwood nipped across and saved the situation, his dash averting disaster in the nick of time.
Then followed some delightful footwork by the Denaby forwards and halves, a capital round of passing being spoilt by Unwin, who intercepted Dawson’s final effort. It was the best bit of combination seen during the whole game, and after the effort neither forward line seemed capable of reproducing similar form.
Holmes again burst through, Westwood conceding an abortive corner, and at the other end Lawley pulled up Biggs and Co. in splendid style. The visiting centre bustled through a crowd of opponents, and, owning the ball over to Whitworth, only for that player to be ruled off-side. A minute later Whitworth again blundered, missing a golden opportunity of centring.
Both Chadfield and Chapman had shots at the Mexboro’ goal, and both were just wide of the mark. Indeed, just about now Denaby looked like taking the lead, but their efforts were frustrated, mainly through Westwood, who worked like a veritable Trojan.
At half-time neither attack could break down the strong defences, and the interval arrived with never a point notched, my note book showing:
Denaby United … 0 goal
Mexboro’ Town … 0 goal
Thus far there had not been a pin to choose between the teams, and I came to the conclusion that the side that lasted best in a gruelling finish would win—and I was right.
Following a somewhat short interval Denaby re-started as if they were going to run their opponents off their feet, but the superiority was only momentary, and give-and-take play of the sternest description followed.
Both sides had shuffled their players somewhat, Dawson and Sheldrake changing places on the Denaby left, whilst for Mexboro’ Biggs dropped back to centre half, McNeil going to inside left, and Hakin taking up the pivot position.
A dangerous run by the United saw both Westwood and Powell rush to the rescue, and the latter was temporarily laid out for repairs by his energetic colleague.
The first real shot at goal came from Dawson, but he was yards out in his aim, and Mexboro’ retaliated with spirit, a likely movement being spoilt by an infringement of the off-side rule.
Indeed, the eagerness of the players was responsible for many runs coming to naught through the same indiscretion. Dudhill, of Denaby, purposely lying well up the field, directly his side got on the attack.
Roper put in a sparkling run and centre, Lawley being equally prominent with a wonderful clearing volley. Westwood kicked out to stop Holmes, and at the other end Hancock ran out and kicked away a chance shot.
Again did Mexboro’ return, and Dudhill pulled up Hakin, whilst a minute later Rodgers tricked a couple of opponents and swung across a sweet opportunity, which went a-begging.
Denaby woke up, and Tayles had to boot away a grounder, following which the Mexboro’ left wing broke ground to good purpose, Roper shooting wide at the finish. Westwood time and again pulled up the Denaby forwards, and in this half his partner, Powell, also came out of his shell, kicking with more power than in the opening moiety.
The pace all round showed no signs of diminishing, and as time passed on the excitement of the onlookers was intense. Tayles saved from Chadfield, and at the other end a perfect middle from Roper should have been improved upon.
Denaby now crowded on full sail, and made desperate efforts to score, Westwood and Powell being kept going at a rare bat. Once Holmes was whistled off-side when on the point of shooting, and immediately after Tayles electrified the crowd with a sparkling save, giving away a corner in clearing a searching daisy cutter.
The resultant flag kick came to nothing. Powell transferring operations with a lofty kick, Mexboro’ responded gallantly, and after a shot from the wing had hit the side of the net, Roper screwed the ball into Hancock’s hands—a wonderful attempt.
From the same wing came yet another grand try, and Hancock had only just cleared when it was seen he and McNeil were scuffling together on the ground. Denaby were now playing the one-back game, but these tactics had the reverse of the desired effect.
Lawley having an anxious time in the face of the fast Mexboro’ rushes. Once Hakin coolly slipped round the stalwart back, but off-side nullified the attempt, and the ball being returned Tayles fisted away a powerless shot from Sheldrake, who was conspicuous with a big burst. He broke clean through, but was overhauled, and the chance was lost.
Dawson, Goodlad, and Nimrod were finding the Mexboro’ forwards more penetrative in their methods, and as the minutes slipped by the game looked more than ever like ending in a goalless draw.
But such was not to be, for the closing stages were fought out amid tremendous enthusiasm, heavy pressure by Denaby being succeeded by a surprise goal, which set Mexboro’ on the high road to victory.
It happened thus. Play was in the Mexboro’ half when the ball came out to the forwards, who, in a moment, dashed off in full cry. Lawley, left on his own, was powerless, and in the twinkling of an eye he was beaten, one of the players, Rodgers I think, side-pushing the sphere to the dashing McNeil, who raced on and beat Hancock with a glorious shot.
Talk about cheering! Why, the Mexboro’ contingent went nearly crazy with joy, and a few caps must have parted from their owners for ever.
Denaby made frantic attempts to draw level, but their death knell was sounded when a bad clearance by Hancock, who had run out to the right, left Hakin with the ball at his toe, and an open goal to shoot at. To his credit, be it said, he made no mistake, and with Mexboro’ leading by two goals, and only a few minutes to go, the game was over bar shouting.
And to add to Denaby’s cup of bitterness, the Mexboro’ spectators commenced to sing the “Dead March,” their vocal efforts, what with the nerve-tingling incidents of the preceding play, being far from tuneful.
The game was strenuously fought out to the last whistle, which went with the score standing:
Mexboro’ Town … 2 goals
Denaby United … 0 goal
The players looked a bit done up, and no wonder, for the pace had been fast, even if the science of football formed a small part of the game. It was a tussle conspicuous rather for the deadly earnestness of the teams, and Mexboro’ deserved their great victory because they took advantage of closing opportunities.
The one-back policy was fatal to Denaby, and, in my opinion, had Dudhill remained in his proper place, the game would have had no definite result. As it was, Mexboro’, in racing parlance, won in a common canter after a great race for fully five-sixths of the time.
Mexboro’ Town—Tayles, goal; Powell and Westwood, backs; Shaw, McNeil, and Unwin, half-backs; Whitworth, Rodgers, Biggs, Hakin, and Roper, forwards.
Denaby United—Hancock, goal; Lawley and Dudhill, backs; Sheldrake, Goodlad, and Nimrod, half-backs; Dowson, Chapman, Chadfield, Ryans, and Holmes, forwards.