Denaby Utd – Denaby 6, Treeton 2 – Tough At First, But Denaby Succeed

21 December 1968

South Yorkshire Times December 21, 1968

Tough At First, But Denaby Succeed

Denaby United 6, Treeton 2

Denaby United supporters had a long time to wait on Saturday before their team finally shook of their general despondency and completed what should have been a much easier task of putting Treeton out of the Sheffield Senior Challenge Cup.

An unaccustomed hesitancy in defence, and the lack of any midfield direction, enabled Treeton to dominate the early tussles, and after their goal in the 25th minute, it did not seem improbable that they would leave Tickhill Square with a notable scalp under their belts.

A hard ground covered by a slippery surface did not help either balance, or control of the ball, and after 25 minutes Fricker allowed the ball to run away from him and onto a Treeton forward who scored.

Neither side was playing with too much method, but gradually a sense of co-ordination crept into the persistent Denaby efforts, and in the 35th minute, Whittaker, who had twice lost the ball in a fine run, regained it to score a very good goal.

Easy Task

Against a side placing overmuch emphasis on playing the Denaby forwards offside, Denaby would have profited by showing less reluctance to release the ball quickly. When their forwards did receive the ball, they often found themselves in difficult positions, but Whittaker was not to be undone and another strong direct run through the square Treeton defence left Morley with the easiest of tasks.

That interval lead proved too much for Treeton. and Denaby at last began to assert their strength this —but they still insisted in making things difficult for themselves.

Roddis scored a good third goal but then slackness in defence again enabled a Treeton forward to take full advantage of the slip. This time the scorer was Smith and had not Gilbert scored, there’ might have been a different tale to tell, but by Gilbert’s goal. Denaby were looking more themselves. A speculative shot from Roddis went in off the post, and Fricker completed the scoring near the end with a well taken goal after more good work from Whittaker.

With Ainscough gone, and Pettit out injured. Denaby’s immediate need is someone to assert control of midfield. But, as Manager Harry Lee says players cannot be replaced just like that, and six goals, with an under-strength side, including a winger at left back, is not to be discouraged, especially against opposition such as Treeton.

Team:

Denaby: Smith; Wiggles, Law’: Whitehead, Parker, Fricker: Gilbert, Whittaker. Morley, Caunt, Roddis. Sub: Reed.

Treeton: Brunfield; Windle, Yeardly; Appleby, Brown, Pinchbeck; Bolton, Somerset, Smith, Radford. Foster. Sub. Swift.

Referee: Mr. D. F. Morgan, Rotherham.