Hamptons Surprise Denaby United

Hamptons Sports 1 Denaby United 0

The strain of a season long tussle at the head of Yorkshire League Division 2 seems to be telling.

Saturday was a long awaited day for Denaby when their rivals of the past months, Hull Brunswick, finally cracked and went down to Ossett Town. But ironically United too lost by a single goal at Hamptons Sports and forfeited a golden opportunity to put themselves within striking distance of the leaders.

So Denaby continue in second place, hoping for a return of form. Promotion seems assured but the Championship would have been a good boost for their first season in Division One.

Manager Harry Lee comments on the disappointments of the past fortnight. “It can happen to any team. It is difficult to explain but I believe the strain on the players of knowing they have to win every match has something to do with it.”

Four points now separate Hull and Denaby and with manager Lee forecasting further setbacks for Brunswick, the stage is set of a grandstand finish.

Little to Lose

On their visit to Hamptons, Denaby found they had more on their plate than their opponent’s bottom half of the table position might suggest.

But after all, Hamptons, like giantkillers Ossett Town, have little to lose at this stage nor relegation worries to hamper them.

Sports centre half Ellis was in fine form to subdue Denaby’s attack. Despite a lively showing by Dick Barton at centre forward.

It was left back Gledhill who promoted the match – winning move, taking the ball down his wing and crossing for centre forward. Beatty to score the only goal from 20 yards.

Teams: –

Hamptons sports: Cowan; Barrett, Gledhill; Thompson, Ellis, Savage; Hardy, Croft, Beatty, Steele, Horner.

Denaby: Gordon Smith; Wiggles, Caunt, Lovell, Cooper (B.). Ainscough; Wright, Launders, Barton, Smith (M.), Smith (G).

Referee: Mr M. Holmes, (Rotherham.)