Denaby Utd – Denaby 1 Worksop Town 5 – Denaby ‘Arrive’ At Foot With Bump

25 January 1958

South Yorkshire Times, January 25, 1958

Denaby United ‘Arrive’ At Foot With A Bump

Denaby United landed at the bottom of the Midland 15 League ladder with a bump which could have been heard all over Tickhill Square on Saturday.

They were defeated 5-1 by Worksop Town, who, until Saturday’s match, had themselves occupied bottom place—only one point below Denaby.

Useful Ally

One reason for this defeat (although Worksop were obviously the better team) was the very useful ally the visitors had during the first half—the high following wind. While strong gusts harrassed the Denaby forwards in their attacking the Worksop forwards managed to gain a three-one lead at halftime, and ironically after the interval when Denaby were in a position to take advantage of the wind, it dropped!

Another possible reason is that Denaby were without their regular skipper, Bobby Southall, who. because of an attack of tonsillitis was unable to play. His place was taken by Shephard, from inside left, and the vacancy was filled by Flaherty, a second team man making his Midland League debut. His only previous appearance with the first team was on December 28th when he played in the Sheffield Senior Cup against Grimethorpe.

In Command

Worksop were in command from the kick-off and except for one or two isolated occasions, were able to keep the Denaby forwards well away from their goal area while they, themselves, attacked incessantly. After nine minutes, their right-winger, ASHCROFT, scored and it was not until 11 minutes later that Denaby were able to equalise. The goal went in via centre-forward LEE, who collected and returned the ball after it had been cleared by Worksop ‘keeper Wilson, following a shot from Denaby left-half. Shephard.

Denaby’s joy was short-lived, however. The ball was cleared out to the right by right back. Hague. It was centred to Worksop centre-forward, DODDS, who crashed it past ‘keeper Smethurst after 26 minutes. After 29 minutes, ASHCROFT landed his second to make the half-time score 3-1.

Denaby ran out after the interval hoping that the high wind would help them to turn the tables—but the flags round the field were hanging limply from their poles.