Mexborough and Swinton Times September 30 1938
Midland League
Goalkeepers Lapse,
Dazzling Sun Causes Three Goals
Rowell Shines for Denaby
Denaby United 1, Rotherham United Reserves 2
Denaby and Rotherham served up some entertaining football at Tickhill Square on Saturday. Admittedly the standard of football was not particularly high, but the exchanges were even and quite exciting. All three goals scored came as the result of lapses by the goalkeepers, and all were directly attributable to the dazzlingly strong sun.
It was really surprising that so many goals were scored, for play was almost entirely concentrated in the middle of the field, and goalmouth thrills were few and far between. Actually a draw would have been a fairer reflection on the balance of play.
Denaby had to turn out without J Williams, their left-back, whose thigh injury had not sufficiently responded to treatment, and Brandreth a local junior, appeared in his stead. Brandreth is a well-built youth with a hefty kick and a determined tackle. When experience teaches him more of the art of positioning he will make a really useful full-back. As events proved, Happs, the captain, should not have played. He had two bad blisters on his heel and they obviously troubled him a lot in the second half.
The home team’s outstanding player was again Rowell, the outside-left, who brings to this position more thrust, more enthusiasm and more potency than has been seen there for many a-long day. If Denaby can manage to keep him long enough he will give them splendid service.
Nothing Outstanding.
Of the game itself little can be said for there were few outstanding incidents: The first goal, after two minutes, went to Rotherham, but it was not of the sort that arouses much enthusiasm. WADSWORTH, the visitors’ centre-forward, followed up a loose ball down the centre and from a few yards range lobbed a gentle ball towards the centre of the goal Harvey seemed to have it well covered, but, probably because he had the sun in his eyes, he allowed it to slip through his hands and bounce over his shoulders into the net.
The second goal scored by REID after 21 minutes, was a little more exhilarating. He sent in a hard shot from long range and it passed between Harvey’s body, the goalkeeper diving much too late. Denaby fought back hard and BETTS reduced the lead almost immediately, shooting into the corner of the net from close in. Wilkinson, again probably hampered by the sun, made a feeble attempt to save.
Scrappy Second Half.
Whereas the goals had made the first half seem quite interesting, the second was very scrappy. Only Reid, for Rotherham, and Rowell, for Denaby, showed any inclination to hold the ball and work it into a good position. The other players swung the ball about and worked off a lot of energy, but the result was not very attractive to watch, big kicking and hard tackling displacing, skilful football.
The only incidents really worthy of note were bad misses from good scoring positions by Murray and L Williams and momentary goalmouth thrills when Denaby forced two corners in quick succession, Right on time Wadsworth hit the foot of the Denaby post and Reid crashed the ball, as it rebounded, on to the crossbar.
Betts was his useful forceful self in the Denaby Centre, but he did not receive the best of support from L Williams and Ford, his inside men. Williams has not yet regained the form he was showing at the end of last season; when he does so Denaby’s forward work will improve considerably. Kitchen worked as hard as ever and Sherwin played a grand game, particularly when Happs had to take things easily. Apart from his two lapses, the first he has made in Denaby’s goal. Harvey got through the work he was called upon to do in clean and confident fashion. Rotherham were best served by their full-backs, Herdman at centre-half, and Reid, inside forward.