Denaby Utd – Wombwell S.A. 1, Denaby 1 – Both Unlucky Not To Take Both Points

February 1968

South Yorkshire Times February 3, 1968

Both Unlucky Not To Take Both Points

Wombwell S.A. 1, Denaby United 1

A GAME which went in spasms, alternating between bouts of polished soccer and scrappy play, ended in a. 1-1 draw between Wombwell Sporting Association and Denaby United in a Yorkshire League encounter at Wombwell.

A draw was a fair reflection of an evenly balanced game, though both sides might quite rightly claim to be unlucky in not taking both points. Wombwell were out of luck in that they scored not only their own goal but that for Denaby as well, and the visitors certainly had their share of misfortune in failing to score when on two occasions in the second half they hit the crossbar.

In the early stages Denaby served up more ‘accomplished and polished soccer, their play being benefiting of League leaders.

Things evened themselves out, however, and Wombwell were a good match.

After 15 minutes Denaby’s scoring account was opened when in attempting the ball to his own ‘keeper for clearance, Terry DRYDEN pushed it too hard and the ball went into the net. Then straight from the kick off a clever move down the field field resulted in a Wombwell corner from which Derek ALLEN put the scores level.

Referee injured

Second half dis organisation  began when the referee, who had showed signs of back trouble before the interval, failed to return to the field, his place being taken by a linesman and the flag being taken by Wombwell’s second team trainer Ellis Bennett.

Shortly after the resumption Denaby’s outside right Smith, went off injured, to be replaced by manager Harry Lee. Despite these upsets, there were spells of exceptionally good            football, spoiled only by shows of petty fouls. This, however, was perhaps not surprising in that by tradition these two clubs meet in an atmosphere of cup-tie type tension

While it was difficult to pick out any players who shone brightly, it is also true to say that no-one let the sides down. If, in fact, a single player was worth commendation it waS Wombwell’s Len Briscoe, who up to that point had been in danger of losing his first team place.

Teams: —

Wombwell: Walters: Dryden, Pearce; Allen, Bennett, Layhe ; Whyke, Briscoe, Rose, Oliver, Sanderson.

Denaby: Smith (G.) ; Wiggles, Caunt; Wood, Parker (C.), Ainscough; Smith (M.), Whittaker, Parker (B), Jenkins, Cooper.