South Yorkshire Times — Friday, 14 September 1934
F.A. Cup
Extra Preliminary Round Replay
The Last Laugh
Mexboro’ Make No Mistake
Raynor’s Dazzling Display
Mexboro’ 3, Denaby 1
The replayed tie between Mexboro’ and Denaby at Mexboro’ yesterday was robbed of a good deal of its interest by the fact that both clubs had to field seriously depleted sides. Denaby were without one of their key men, Ralph Burkinshaw, the centre-half, who was struggling with a cut. Burnbanks, their promising left winger, Fred Smith deputised for Burkinshaw and Crossley took his place at right-half, while Mugglestone came in at inside-left. Lowe moving over to the left wing. Mexboro’ were also without their regular centre-half, Hampshire having injured a foot in the pit that very morning. Smith, injured in Saturday’s game, was, of course, absent, and Parry, the left-half, had scalded his feet and was unable to turn out. Happs was moved from right-back to centre-half, and Snee filled the other vacancy in the half-back line. Longley being at right-back. In view of all these changes the standard of play was quite good, though it fell away in the second half after Mexboro’ had established a winning lead of 3-1. There was an excellent “gate” for a mid-week game, the receipts being £59 3s. 10d. Slightly in excess of those for Saturday’s game. As on Saturday, Mexboro’ survived a shaky start, but on this occasion they not only drew level but secured and retained the lead, to win 3-1.
Masterful Opening
Denaby opened in such masterful style that it looked as though they would gain an easy victory. The Mexboro’ defence was all at sea against a series of speedy combined raids. The inside forwards, Guest, Parden and Mugglestone, kept the ball on the ground and brought Barry and Lowe into the game with telling results. Time and again they were all but through and Longley and Mountney had a hectic time, while Happs in the unaccustomed position of centre-half seemed anything but comfortable. Methodical pressure of this sort was bound to bring a goal sooner or later and after only eight minutes Barry found time to work the ball in from his wing and hook it into the goalmouth with his left foot. MOUNTNEY, in a desperate attempt to get his head to the ball, deflected it past Edge to give Denaby the lead.
Mexboro’ immediately launched a determined counter attack and the ball was swept straight to the other end of the field. Denaby packed their goal and when Raynor flashed in a shot from close range someone handled and the referee awarded a penalty without hesitation. Raynor was entrusted with the kick, but fearing to cut his shot too fine with the wind against him, sent the ball to near the ever alert Astle, who effected a smart save. Raynor’s attempt to ram the ball home at the second attempt was foiled by its lively bound.
After this escape Denaby continued to hold the upper hand, though the scheming of Walker and Raynor was always potentially dangerous. However, it was not until the game was nearly half an hour old that Mexboro’ really began to find their feet. Happs gradually began to get a grip of the inside forwards and Snee and Moxon gave sterling support. It was a forward pass by Raynor that led to the equalising goal. Bolan snapped up the chance and darted off down the middle only to find the path to goal blocked by one of the Denaby backs. He was quick to swing the ball out to KEN WILSON who challenged, and the little winger cut in to beat Astle with a brilliant shot from an acute angle after 32 minutes.
The Mexboro’ forwards played much better as a line after this. Wilson was given more to do and responded in a fashion reminiscent of his best days. It was, however, a centre from Hill that brought the second goal five minutes later. Like Happs on Saturday, Woodhouse was beaten by the awkward bounce of the ball, and BOLAN was round him in a flash and rammed a hard drive well out of Astle’s reach.
A few minutes from the interval Raynor put the ball forward and George Walker hit it first time only to see his shot rebound from Astle’s body. BOLAN was handy, however, and quickly returned the ball into the net. The Mexboro’ forwards played really well at this stage and might have got more goals but for the clever goal-keeping of Astle.
Tame Second Half
The second half was nothing like so interesting as the first. Few good movements were developed and there was a good deal of aimless kicking. Denaby were a beaten side long before the end and seemed to miss the attacking inspiration of Burkinshaw, though Smith did admirable work in defence. Mexboro’ were not merely content to hold their lead but went all out for more goals and continued to do more attacking than their opponents. Raynor raided brilliantly and was accorded an ovation for one particularly fine solo run up the wing. Barry, on the Denaby right, was also dangerous and against anyone but Mountney might have broken through on several occasions. Edge once badly misjudged a high shot from him and was lucky to see the ball cleared after it had hit the bar. There was no further scoring, but it was obvious what the result would be some time from the end.
Mexboro’s best man, and indeed the best man on the field, was Raynor. He carried out some brilliant manoeuvres at bewildering speed and controlled and distributed the ball splendidly. Walker also did very well, though inclined to hold the ball too long on occasion. Ken Wilson showed something like his old form, and Bolan was persistent and quick to take his chances. Hill did some good things, but lacked thrust. The defence was solid enough once the men had settled down in their strange formation, and Edge had again much less to do than Astle.
The Denaby keeper acquitted himself finely, and apart from his smart penalty save made many other good clearances. Taylor and Smith were also prominent defenders, Smith playing a grand stopping game, particularly in the first half. This was the first time he had ever played in the position. Barry was the best forward, the others fading away after a good start, though Lowe was a tricky customer throughout. The match had two distinct phases, each side being definitely on top in turn, with Mexboro’ having the last laugh.