Denaby Utd – Thackley 1, Denaby 3 – Thoroughbred Win

21 March 1970

South Yorkshire Times, March 21st, 1970

Thoroughbred Win Denaby’s Warning

Thackley 1, Denaby United 3

A little bit of sunshine has come into the life of Denaby United – and it could be just in time to salvage the club’s Yorkshire League title hopes. For the first time this year, the sun came out and ground conditions for Denaby’s visit to Thackley were perfect. And like a young, thoroughbred racehorse, Denaby improved considerably with the sun on their backs and the grass underfoot.

First Away

It was the first away victory of 1970 for Denaby, who sounded out a warning to League Cup opponents Mexborough, with a return to the form which made them League front-runners earlier in the season.

Denaby had Bob Bennett back in the centre-half position after a long lay-off with muscle strain, and player-manager Harold Sapey elected to put himself on the sidelines to make way for the big pivot.

Thackley were soon under pressure as Denaby began to play attractive football from the kick off, and with Roger Willey in command in midfield the football was Denaby’s best for a long time.

Took the Lead

The game was 12 minutes old when Denaby took the lead through wing-half Pettit, who has been knocking in the goals regularly this season. Toyne and England worked the move before Toyne’s cross found the head of Pettit.

Minutes later the same player almost notched a second, but this time the woodwork foiled his effort after a delightful build-up with Willey.

Denaby were playing well now, and with all the old confidence returning it was not long before Thackley fell further behind

Dick Sumpner hared down the wing before pushing the ball inside to Willey and when the inside forward slid the return ball into the six-yard box, Sumpner was there to score

Old One-Two

Willey and Sumpner were causing a lot of trouble, and when they worked a one-two a little while later, Sumpner provided the perfect ending by hitting the third goal.

Denaby were kicking against a slight wind and uphill in the second half but Thackley could not get back into the game. The home team had more of the play than in the first half, when their best effort had been to hit the post just before the break, but Farrish’s goal was rarely in danger.

Twin Centre

Benn and Harvey operated as twin centre halves very effective, and Howard Morley was still causing a lot of trouble up front.

Thackley’s consolation goal came with 20 minutes to go, when Allen was forced to use his hand to keep the ball out of goal, and the penalty was well converted. But Denaby were not hard pressed to hold out and with the prospect of more fine weather the outlook is decidedly sunny!