Match Report:
Yorkshire Post: 02-10-1939
WAR TIME GAMES' COMPENSATION
Absence of Tension Producing Greater Accuracy
LEEDS UNITED DELIGHT AT DERBY
Association football in war-time will inevitably be played at a slower pace than under normal conditions for two reasons-the comparative lack of training of the players and the absence of tension which the fight for League points and bonus engenders. But if the crowd find there is a lack of excitement, there are happily indications that the players intend to take advantage of the opportunity to show greater accuracy and to introduce experimental movements. The Leeds United team at Derby, on Saturday, developed their game on lines which spectators cannot but find attractive. The ball was not easy to control owing to the hardness of the ground and the too close cutting of the grass-the Derby players themselves had done the job-but Leeds showed some exceptionally pretty footwork, and the accuracy of their passing was often delightful to watch.
Brilliant Goals
Hodgson, the centre forward, now in the veteran stage, has gained a new lease of football life from the slower pace, and though missing a number of scoring chances he played a grand game at Derby. Hargreaves and Powell, too, made excellent use of the greater latitude allowed them, Hargreaves scoring two brilliant goals, while Dunderdale adapted himself well to the requirements of the inside right position. His shot which opened the scoring from a through pass by Stephenson, was a flashing
drive made on the run. Holley played with all his peace-time enthusiasm and was a great stalwart in the rear, and Gadsby put in some effective head work against the light ball, but the outstanding feature of the Leeds defence was the studious play of Goldberg, at right back. Given the necessary physical development, Goldberg ought to become one of the best backs in the game. W. Hampson, junior, called on to keep goal at short notice in the absence of Corporal Lee, gave a confident and resourceful
display and the way in which he found his own players with well-placed clearances was in the best goalkeeping tradition. Leeds United's third goal came from a movement
which Hampson started by throwing the ball to the outside right, Powell, and it went across the field, to Hodgson and Hargreaves and back into the net without an
opponent touching it. Derby County, who had a strong team, played a more open and direct type of game than Leeds, and though showing plenty of energy and keenness, were well beaten. Their only goal was scored by Crooks, whose swerving shot almost from the goal line astonished everyone by curling round the post. The attendance was only 2,000 much less than the attractiveness of the game warranted.
Thanks to Steve Bell for the Derby County team details and the three match Reports below
Match Report:
The Nottingham Evening Post: 30-09-1939
GOOD PLAY AT DERBY
LEEDS LOSE A MAN AND A "SUB" PLAYS
RAMS SOON IN ARREARS
Derby County supporters had their first taste of wartime friendly football this afternoon when Leeds United paid a visit to the Baseball Ground. Both clubs had attractive sides on view, but at the start there were barely 3,000 people present. Derby's defence dealt condidently with early Leeds attacks and then made a thrust down the middle, Hinchcliffe driving into the hands of Hampson. Derby then raided in spirited fashion, chiefly through Duncan. Leeds replied with Copping shining in clever constructive work. The visitors lost the services of Brown, who injured his ankle and Hargreaves later came out as a substitute. For the opening quarter of an hour the crowd had seen little in the way of good shootingbut they had to acclaim a fine effort by Dunderdale, who picked up a pass from Stephenson to go racing through and give Leeds the lead in twenty minutes. Derby had enough of the play and chances to have drawn level, but the inside forwards were not strong in finishing and one of the hottest handfuls that Hampson had to deal with was a terrific thirty yards free-kick taken by Nicholas.
HALF TIME: Derby County 0 Leeds United 1
Match Report:
Derby Evening Telegraph: 30-09-1939
RAMS SOON IN ARREARS
DUNDERDALE GIVES LEEDS LEAD
SMALL CROWD
When Derby County met Leeds United in a friendly match at the Baseball Ground this afternoon, they were making their first appearance since pre-war days! It will be recalled that Aston Villa were beaten 1-0 (penalty goal by Nicholas) on 2nd September. Despite war claims and dispersals, both teams were strongly represented. The crowd, even for the exceptional circumstances, disappointingly small when Hodgson kicked off, not more than 2,500 being present. After a quiet opening, Hinchcliffe, who had been put through beautifully by Hann, and with the Leeds defence waiting in vain for the whistle to sound for offside, was allowed to run on unchallenged. His shot , however, went straight to the goalkeeper. A lapse by Barker left Hodgson favourably placed, but the centre forward delayed his effort and Barker recovered. Stephenson next came into the picture, but he was not supported and in the end obliged Barker by placing the ball at his feet.
HINCHCLIFFE'S THREAT
For the second time it was left to Hinchcliffe to threaten the Leeds goalkeeper, but he stumbled after some clever approach play. A back pass by Barker to his goalkeeper almost took Wood by surprise, and the Derby goal at length finally fell after fourteen minutes play. A down-the-middle pass gave Dunderdale a chance to secure possession, and running on resolutely, he beat Wood with a low shot.
HALF TIME: Derby County 0 Leeds United 1
Match Report:
Derby Evening Telegraph: 02-10-1939
BARKER WAS OUTSTANDING
RAMS' FORWARDS DISAPPOINTED
LEEDS SUBSTITUTE'S TWO GOALS
Perhaps the most piquant fearure of Derby County's Friendly game with Leeds United at the Baseball Ground on Saturday was the fact that a subsitute left-winger scored two goals for the visitors-the margin of their victory. The Rams lost by 1-3. Brown was injured in the first quarter of an hour, and Hargreaves not only took his place, but gained the points. In a game in which nothing was at stake, neither team went all out, but such efforts as the home forwards made to score were, generally speaking, disappointing. It was significant that the best shot of the match came from Nicholas. Jones (V), who led the line, met his match in Holley, and none of the other members of the attack was effective in finishing.
DOMINANT BARKER
It was,however, gratifying to see Barker in his old dominating form. Not only did he keep the stalwart Hodgson in check, but time and again he came upfield in an effort to rally the forwards. Barker's display was itself worth the money. He was well supported by Nicholas, whose whole-hearted style of play leaves no room for friendly match frills. Leeds were an undistinguished lot, and were almost as prodigal as the Rams with their scoring chances. Hargreaves, however, turned his oppurtunities to good account, and twice beat Wood with individual efforts. Dunderdale also scored after a lapse by the home defence. Derby's goal came from Crooks, who also came near to scoring with a header which would have found the net had not Copping stopped it with another.
