Denaby call the tune in F.A. Cup derby at Mexborough.

Mexborough Town 0 Denaby United 2.

In winning their way through to the second qualifying round of the FA Cup with Saturdays victory at Hampden Road, Denaby United showed superiority over Mexborough far greater than the 2-0 score line indicates.

Before the game, Mexborough suffered a blow that was both physical and psychological when Brian Hall, “star” of last week’s victory over Scarborough, had to drop out with a knee injury, necessitating a complete change around of the home team’s line-up. despite this, the Town never gave up trying, with skipper Terry Foster a great inspiration, but all too often their energy was misdirected. They moved smoothly enough in the early stages, and only weak shooting prevented them gaining a decisive lead, but as the much progress they depended far too much on the long ball upfield and the high cross, easily dealt with by Denaby’s goalkeeper Gordon Smith.

Few chinks

in contrast, the Denaby defensive armour contain few chinks, while their forwards strained like greyhounds at the leash in their eager search for goals.

Every one of the visitors gave a sterling performance, and non-could be picked out as better than his fellows, but the one player made most impression on a harassed home defence in the second half was fair-haired centre forward “Dick” Barton.

It was the ubiquitous Barton who made Denaby’s hearts sing by scoring the first goal with a beautiful shot from the edge of the area in the 35^th minute, and from then on Mexborough were just not in it.

Pete Whitehead scramble the ball off the line twice within three minutes after the interval, but Mike Smith made it third time lucky when he scored for Denaby after a goalmouth mix-up 15 minutes later.

Smith also cracked the ball against an upright in the closing minutes. But by this time the score was irrelevant, and unhappy Mexborough fans were already streaming out of the ground. So, Denaby deservedly go on to ‘plus’ tie at Gainsborough in the next round, while Mexborough returned to the Yorkshire League campaign with plenty of food for thought following this defeat. Their greatest problem seems to be how to best capitalise on the talents of left winger Jack Oldfield,who hardly got a smell of the ball on Saturday and who was one Mexborough forward who might have turned the balance

Manager’s comments

Denaby manager Harry Lee: “The match went as I expected, knowing the strengths of both sides. We were technically better equipped, and the score could have been multiplied with a few more breaks. All the team played well and it was a fine display all around. On this form, we must stand a great chance in the second round tie at Gainsborough.”

Teams and ratings

Mexborough town: Brough 7; Whitehead 7; Hyde (D) 7; Pilkington 7; Foster 8; Kelshaw 7; Sapey 8; Allott 8; Roddis 7; Morley 7; Overfield 7. substitute Toyne.

Denaby United: Smith (Gordon) 8; wiggles 8; caunt 8; Collins 8; Ainscough 8; Cooper (B) 8; launders 7; Barton 9; Smith (M) 8; Smith (G) 7. Substitute: Wright

Referee: Mr. R. Traverner (Sheffield.)

Attendance: 769.