Shock Defeat for United Ends Record.

Denaby United 2, Rawmarsh Welfare 3

It had to happen sooner or later. But it was a surprise when Denaby United with a 100% record, lost 3-2 on Saturday to Yorkshire league neighbours Rawmarsh Welfare.

Rawmarsh were in fact a trifle lucky to come away with two points. That should not, however, belittle their performance and in particular the individual display by the signings Moorhouse and Taylor.

With his side trailing 1-0, inside right Moorhouse, formerly with Steel, Peech and Tozers, scored a shock equaliser after 20 minutes. And although Denaby regained the lead, a thundering 40 yard shot by Taylor, formerly with former St Mary’s, put Welfare on level terms at half-time.

In truth Denaby should never have let it happen. They had opened briskly and taken a fifth minute lead through Gerry Smith, who pushed home a rebound from a Wiggles penalty. The Welfare defence looked shaky. Tomkins had to pull off two good saves from Smith and Barton, and a Launders centre went begging across and open goal. Then after 20 minutes Moorhouse got a foot to one of several dangerous corners from Pugh and it was back to square one for Denaby.

10 minutes later, however, Launders, sandwiched by Rawmarsh defenders, slipped the ball to Mike Smith, who hooked his shot over Tomkins.

Half-time was only seconds away when Taylor thumped in the equaliser which was no less a surprise then welfares first goal.

Not as Sparkling

in the second half Denaby never produced anything like their opening form and the issue was settled in the 60^th minute by Pugh after a right-wing sprint by Wasell caught United on the wrong foot.

Denaby’s best effort was staged by left half Ainscough, who topped off a fine performance with a caller run down the centre and shortcuts which split the Rawmarsh defence, but which Gerry Smith took wide of the post. The Rawmarsh goalkeeper twice saved well from launders before the final whistle and another Denaby affair incredibly crept over the crossbar, but United produced very little of the sort of positive play which had given them their five Yorkshire league victories.

Teams and ratings:

Denaby: Gordon Smith 7; wiggles 7, Caunt 7; Colin 7, Cooper (D) 6, Ainscough 8; Cooper (A), 8, launders 7, Barton 6, Smith (M), Smith (G) 7.

Rawmarsh: Tomkins 8; Flynn 7, Hayward 7; Taylor 7, Clow (H) 7, Cutts 7; Pugh 8, Moorhouse 8, Wassell 7, Steele 6, Clow R. 6

Referee: Mr T. E. Cartwright (Huddersfield) 5