Sheffield Daily Telegraph – Monday 19 October 1908

English Cup Tie

Denaby 0  Mexborough 1

Mexborough and Denaby broke a record in their English Cup tie Saturday. The takings amounted to £103, which must be accounted extremely satisfactory, considering the adversity of the weather conditions, and yet Denaby’s compact little ground was not nearly full, and it is evident that its holding capacity is greater than had been thought.

As for the game, like many another where local feeling runs high, it was not of particularly good quality, though a sample of sporting cleanness it will rank a credit to both the competing clubs. It was good honest struggle, with both sides about equal in merit. But Mexborough go into the next round by virtue of the solitary goal scored. This was driven home by Hutchinson after five minutes’ play, and thereafter there was not a pin to choose between the teams, Mexborough, if having the fewer chances, being the more dangerous at close quarters.

The substitution of Swinbourne vice Welch at right back distinctly weakened the Denaby defence, though the work of the home halves atoned for many short comings. But every player to a man tried all out, and their palpable earnestness must be taken as tenement for the sins of omission. The Mexborough defence was impenetrable, with W. Westwood the outstanding figure. Tompkins was too good for the left wing, and found time to lend Moralee a helping hand in checking Padley. Hutchinson, in addition to scoring, served up about the best work of the Mexborough attack, Hibberd and Murphy also doing well. Gadsby was always a worker, but Heywood was not success m the centre.

For Denaby the backs were only moderate, but the half-backs as a line were slightly superior to Mexborough’s. Kelly, the centre-half, was without peer on the field. Coming to the front rank, the left wing was long way below its usual form, and Ball must have a wholesome respect for Tompkins. Padley did well in midfield, and towards the end made big efforts for the equaliser. Wathey, the young reserve, did fairly well at inside right, whilst his partner, E. Westwood, was inconsistent.