Mexborough and Swinton Times, October 11, 1935

F.A.Cup – First Qualifying Round

Decisive Win
Denaby’s Fine Display
Mexborough Mastered

Mexborough 0 Denaby United 4

Saturday’s Cup tie between Mexborough and Denaby will go down in local history as one of the most one-sided games there has ever been between these rivals in the competition. Denaby won by four clear goals and they were worth every one of them, though Mexborough were game fighters to the last. So play was it after the first 20 minutes which side at the whip hand that the game never really assumed the proportions of a real Mexborough – Denaby “Derby” and there was comparative little excitement, though the crowd was the biggest of the season, the receipts being £72 19s 1d.

It must not be assumed from the decisive margin that Mexborough were a bad team. They did quite well, though the limitations which have been noticeable in recent games were again evident. The fact was that Denaby were a good deal better than their adversaries, and their victory was no more than the just reward of the best side the Tickhill Square club have turned out for many years. On Saturday’s form not many better Midland League sides than Denaby will be on view at Hamden Road this season.

Well Deserved Lead

Not even the most ardent Mexborough supporter on the ground could deny that Denaby deserve the lead which they gained after 25 minutes. Fleetwood sent Fernley going with a splendid pass inside the full-back and Hewitt headed the centre home from a position near the far post.

Mexborough had not recovered from this blow when Denaby hammered another nail in the Coffin in the shape of the second goal by Hewitt three minutes later. The centre forward, who never wasted the chance of a shop, positioned himself well together another shrewd pass from Fleetwood around the ball past Tremain from mercilessly short range.

Mexborough pull themselves together after this and exerted pressure on the right, their stronger flank throughout the game. Lawson made one of his terrier like runs and burst through sheer persistence when an intended clearance rebounded from his chest. The Denaby defence was momentary spread-eagled with Rennie unmarked in the goalmouth, and Lawson sent the ball straight to his colleague’s feet. The centre forward sought to walk the ball past Picken but his effort was not strong enough and the goalkeeper managed to divert the ball from a corner which was cleared. It was about the best chance Mexborough had throughout the game and Denaby were soon hammering at their gates again.

A wing to wing movement opened the way through the defence and Hewitt was on the mark again. Tremain, however, brought off a magnificent full-length say, but was only able to turn the ball aside to Fernley, who crosses back to Hewitt, and the centre forward had nothing to do but tap it into an empty goal after sidestepping a desperate rush from Tremain.

The second half found Mexborough fighting doggedly without any apparent prospect of saving the game they did much better, however, but the rearranged attack, with Rennie on the left wing, Tait inside, Wright back at centre forward and Smith at inside right, could find no way of circumventing Denaby’s ever alert full-backs. The home forwards were too prone to try and rush the ball through, and there was no attempt to open out the Denaby defence by tactical skill.

Eddie Fleetwood scored the only goal of the half, a brilliantly taken half volley from well out which left Tremain helpless.

Denaby success was due to their excellent team balance, as much as to individual ability, though this was of a very high standard in several cases. Sykes was certainly outstanding throughout, and Fleetwood was the “brains” of the attack, though he had four expert assistants. Hewitt deserves a special mention for the way in which he fitted into the attack. He showed many neat touches and his marksmanship was all that could be desired. In all previous appearance in the Denaby team was when he figured out inside left in the Cup tie against Sheffield Club, but following Saturday’s display more should be seen of him. The visitors had two smart backs in Clark and Leek, who called each other well and both showed useful powers of recovery, and their defence were generally in command of a still rugged Mexborough attack