Yorkshire Times and Express – Saturday 3 January 1953
On Boxing Day
Frickley made it all square by winning by the same margin, 2-1, at South Elmsall on Boxing Day. A “gift” goal three minutes from the end brought success to Frickley in an even game in which there was not a really good goal among the trio scored.
Denaby’s goal after 22 minutes was the best, when a hard drive by Saxton rebounded off S. Wilkinson, and ARNOLD helped the ball into the net in trying to clear. Four minutes earlier Denaby had had a goal disallowed, the referee ruling that Saxton had handled the ball as he put it into the net.
A simple goal brought Frickley’s equaliser after 26 minutes. Centre-half Lee made his only slip of the match in passing back to Taylor. The ball did not reach the goalkeeper and BARBER ran in and scored.
The winner was an even bigger gift. Two Frickley forwards were offside, and the Denaby defenders stood waiting for the referee to blow his whistle. Scarlett, however, was not offside, and he ran on and passed to BARBER, who had no difficulty in beating Taylor.
Denaby’s outstanding player was right winger Clarke, but the remaining forwards, like Frickley’s, were unconvincing. Lee and Cooling shone in the half-back line. Robinson and Williams were sound backs, and goalkeeper Taylor was reliable.
Frickley’s young goalkeeper, Stan Wilkinson, enhanced his reputation with his cool work, Arnold gave a display at right back which made one wonder why he was ever dropped, and Goodison and MacDonald were towers of strength in the half-back line. Barber was a terrific worker in the attack, but none of the other forwards earned any medals.
Denaby had a fair following, but the “gate” was only £24 13s., the lowest ever for a match between the neighbours.