South Yorkshire Times November 30
Denaby Clouted
Healing Balm for Wath
Athletic´s Triumph in Thrilling Game
Wath Athletic 4, Denaby United 2
After repeated failures, Wath Athletic´s win over Denaby on the Wath ground last Saturday, comes as a welcome crumb of comfort to their supporters. They have been on a bad patch now for some time, and it is hoped they have now “struck oil”. But did not the same thing happen last season? They had all the hard luck it was possible for a team to have and then the turning point came about Christmas.
When one looks back on their series of defeats, and recalls that they were given their quotas in the English Cup by Denaby to the tune of three goals to none, one is bound to say “Bravo”, to the Wath team. Wath had more goals to their credit in seven minutes than Denaby had in the cup-tie. Does this not speak well for the Athletics re-modelled forward line?
One could see the Wath team meant it on Saturday, scarcely a supporter left the ground before the end of the game, so full of interest was the match and so enthusiastic were the spectators. Wath had an excellent defence to meet in Bisby and Coupe, and Bromage effected some fine clearances. He made one faulty clearance in the first half, a shot from Redfern. The ball ballooned in front of the goal. Lloyd and Brayshaw ran up to convert, and after the former missed BRAYSHAW did the trick. This was after ten minutes play. Prior to this Denaby had opened the attack on the left through Scriven and Dick Shaw, but Gough headed away. It was now the Athletic´s turn and a pretty movement by Redfern and Lloyd drew out the Denaby custodian but he managed to secure the ball from Shepherd and threw it rather fortunately – or – unfortunately to Varney, who passed to Redfern with the result stated. And how the crowd cheered as Brayshaw put the ball into the net. It was like old times!
But we still had Denaby to reckon with and again Scriven was conspicuous for after beating Gough, he passed to Shaw, and Frost had a hot shot to deal with. Mellor assisted the ball to Brayshaw, this player passed out to Redfern who raced along to beat Chambers and Coope, then swung the ball over to BRAYSHAW, who with a lovely oblique shot, broke into the Denaby citadel for the second time. Wath were through again with their third goal in less time than it takes to say so. They advanced on the right wing almost straight from the kick-off, and
REDFERN eventually sent in a hot shot which hit Bisby and stanched past Bromage into the net. It was hard luck for the Denaby custodian, who was altogether deceived.
Offside infringements held up the play for a spell, but at length Varney got in a powerful shot which caused Bromage trouble in clearing; but he threw the ball well among the Denaby halves, and the visitors left was speedily in possession with Hill and Scriven prominent, SHAW beating Frost close in with a shot which the Wath custodian had no chance to stop. Encouraged by this success, Denaby attacked again, and a movement by Hill and Chambers ended in the latter passing to Scriven who sent in a ground shot right across the goal mouth with nobody up. Vigorous onslaughts were made on the home goal and repeatedly repulsed. Frost defended his charge with coolness and just at one thought Denaby were through, Varney came to the rescue and cleared in the nick of time. Nicholson secured, but placed badly, and instead of swinging the ball out to Holt, he kicked outside. From the goal-kick Denaby were once more attacking, but Hamilton ended in hitting the upright, and half time arrived with the score; Wath 3, Denaby 1.
Immediately on re-starting the Wath supporters were given a shock. Straight from the kick-off Denaby opened the attack. Gough came up to intercept, but GODFREY wriggled past him, and dribbling at a great pace beat Frost with a capital shot. There was now only one goal in the game, and anything might happen. Wheatley missed his kick and Frost had to step out to save a critical situation. Mellor then sent Shepherd away, and Shepherd passed to Holt, who put in a fine centre, one of many in this half. There was no one up to take advantage, and Bisby cleared. After this Holt was watched but nevertheless did some smart work from the touch line and also from flag kicks, one of which ended in Lloyd hitting the upright After a series of throw-ins in the home right, Holt and Lloyd were again prominent, Brayshaw sending out Wheatley cleared at the opposite end from Briggs, after which Godfrey shot woefully wide. Lloyd, Redfern and Shepherd subsequently put in good work as the result of centres by Holt and Shepherd shot wide. Hereabouts the game was in the balance. At last the home forwards again got going and very creditable work on the part of the whole line ended in BRAYSHAW again beating Bromage. This was the final goal, but right to the end it was doubtful who would prove victorious. Denaby were by no means disheartened and Wath played with equal confidence.
Their victory was well earned in which the team as a whole played well together, though there is a weak spot yet in the half-back line in the team, and also Hargreaves. In Shepherd and Varney Wath have a couple of useful acquisitions. The visitors displayed undaunted determination both in attack and defence, but scarcely equalled the Wath team in its all-round combination as one saw it last Saturday.