Denaby Utd – Denaby 3 Gainsborough Trinity 2 – Better Team Lost

May 1947

 

South Yorkshire Times, May 10, 1947

“The Better Team Lost” At Denaby

Denaby United 3, Gainsborough Trinity 2

“The best team lost” I overheard several spectators say decisively as they left Tickill Square ground on Saturday after the conclusion of this rousing Midland league game. Their opinion I share wholeheartedly. Denaby led 2-1 at half-time through two excellent goals by Strachan (the first after 10 minutes a Strachan-Asquith affair, the second 10 minutes before half-time a Killourhy-Strachan movement), but it was not until the second half that we were treated to fireworks, a galaxy of rockets in fact.

Just in time.

Gainsborough for whom North had reduced the arrears after 41 minutes, also drew level in the first minute. Urien partially parried a hard drive from Myers and then, while still lying on the ground, he squirmed round and push the ball out just in time. That was excitement No.1, and so it went on throughout the half. I have not seen a more thrilling game this season. Trinity literally stormed the Denaby goal and time after time it seemed as if the Citadel would fall.

Wright had put Denaby further ahead after 60 minutes, but Gainsborough returned to the attack and Hinchcliffe made no mistake with a penalty, and nine minutes from the end he got the ball into the net again, but was given offside.

Denaby defended desperately against a team which just piled pressure on and a stiff wind which treacherously reached its peak when Denaby’s plight was at its direst. Strachan, injured, was off the field during part of the half, and this made a considerable difference to the attack. Urien (picture) gave a dazzling display. A matchwinner, his anticipation superb, its cool confidence a tonic. Williams was a prodigious worker, and Ball, whose footballing stature seems to increase with every match, starred in a heavily worked halfback line.

Strachan and Killourhy were the best of a forward line (Strachan and the ball into the net, but was ruled offside, two minutes after he had scored his second goal) in which Denaby will have to remedy the inside left position.

Still only defeated one since January 21, Denaby registered a “double” over Gainsborough with this success.