Last Fling At Denaby

A Highlight

The Denaby United v. Boston game on Saturday was the last fling of Midland League football for this season at Tickhill Square, though not the last of football there. The Rossington Street v. Station Road Schools Cup match was due on Wednesday (St. Alban’s beat Morley Place 6-1 last Friday evening) and St. Alban’s meet Balby Street this evening ,(Friday).

Last night. too. there was the Schofield Tech Old Boys’ F.C.—Huddersfield West Riding League trophy final and on April 28th there is the Denaby United v a Selected XI match for Bobby Southall-5 benefit. As for the Midland League itself we shall be watching with considerable interest the possible future of the League next season.

Denaby were beaten 2-1 on Saturday. by a side which had beaten them 3-0 at Boston in November. It was not a highlighted game by comparison with some of the excellent offerings we have seen this season, and it was unfortunate that it should have been decided virtually by a disputed penalty goal scored by LISTER for Boston after 57 minutes. GRAVER scored the second Boston goal after 78 minutes and LEE headed Denaby’s goal two minutes from time.

Penalty amid Protests

It seemed a highly unsatisfactory decision when, In one of a series, of ‘muck or nettles’ Boston raids., the ball struck Barnes on the chest and next thing we saw was a linesman flagging for ‘hands”. Referee North awarded the penalty despite the Denaby protests and Smethurst, who was one of the game’s outstanding figures, hadn’t an earthly with Lister’s shot. He finished practically standing on his head, after leaping in an attempt to get to the ball as it flashed into the, top corner of the net. It seemed a dreadful pity that the Denaby goalkeeper should have to be beaten in this manner after defying Boston so brilliantly and for so long.

From a Denaby point of view It was doubly exasperating when Shephard caught Boston goal-keeper King, out of position later in the second half. He headed into the goalmouth but right half Hazeldine was standing there and took the ball fromhis chest similarly, pushing it down into King’s arms. I am not suggesting this was “hands: I am saying that from the Press box Barnes’ penalised stopper work had looked equally innocuous.

As will happen in these cases, the crowd showed its disapproval in no uncertain manner when players and officials were coming back into the dressing rooms at full time.

The Better Side

Make no mistake about the result. Boston were obviously the better side. They held the whip hand as a side faster on the ball and, more than anything, with an incisive forward line. Denaby rarely looked, like beating King. Shephard had an opportunity but blazed the ball wide of the post after King had come out to challenge him and had lost the ball. Woodger seemed most likely to succeed: his speed generally had the beating of Snade. But often his wing bursts were negatived by Lee racing offside. The half back line had a lively handful with which they did not always cope successfully and it was Smethurst who so often stood between Boston and goals. There were occasions when Boston forwards shot the ball at Smethurst as one may do at a fairground—trying to, knock down the ‘goalkeeper’!