South Yorkshire Times, Saturday, September 24th, 1960
Denaby United Conceded Two Penalties and Lost
Belper 4 Denaby United 3
Denaby United, who played polished, if somewhat rough football would have returned with the Central Alliance League points from their first visit to Belper if they had not conceded two penalties between 75th and 80th minutes.
Denaby, whose opportunism brought them a well-deserved 3 – 2 lead by the 53rd minute, looked all set for victory when a defender handled in the “box.” Lakin levelled the scores from the “spot”, and four minutes later he scored Belper’s winning goal from another penalty.
This was given away by Johnson, who upended Belper’s outside right Fox, and who marred an outstanding display by over robust tackling which might have conceded other penalties.
A foul by Foster, also on Fox, on the edge of the penalty area led to Belper taking the lead in the fourth minute. Thompson placed the free kick in the crowded goalmouth, and the ball bobbed on three or four heads before Poplar headed it goalwards. Mellows, standing on the goal line, made a frantic effort attempt to head it out, but only succeeded in helping it in.
Denaby were almost always the more dangerous side, with Swaby a roving centre forward and a box of tricks and causing the home defence untold trouble. He was well supported by Sapey and Allott and Slater took a great deal of watching.
Exchanges were fast and exciting, and Slater, were gone close on several occasions, put the visitors ahead five minutes from the interval. A lucky shot by Poplar, however, enable Belper to turn round on terms.
On resuming Denaby raced into the attack and Allott restored their lead in the 55th minute when Bailey failed to hold a powerful drive from Dodds. It appeared to be all over for Belper by the excuses as Denaby continued to threaten the own goal, but then came the penalties which lost Denaby the points.
Team: Davey; mellows, Foster; Hirst, Johnson, Bourne; Sapey, Dodds, Swaby, Slater, Allott
Minutes-