Mexborough and Swinton Times March 30, 1928

Dennis’s Benefit.

Wath 1, Wednesday 1

Little interest was taken on Wednesday in the match which the Wath Athletic Club had arranged to play a team representing Sheffield Wednesday, the proceeds going towards a “benefit” for Albert Dennis, the Wath left half (picture)

Dennis joined the Wath side six seasons ago at the inside-left position and played his first match in the Wath colours in a F.A. Cup match against Mansfield. He is a native of the Sheffield district, and at school was keenly interested , in sport, and in 1914 represented Sheffield and England, receiving an international cap. He started in junior football with Tinsley U.M., and at the age of 18 years, was transferred to Rotherham United. He was only there half a season when he joined Manchester United, and then he came to Wath. He has always shown himself to be a prominent member of the Wath team but his work is impeded by a weak left knee. However, that is not too weak for him to always be one of Wath’s best members.

The Wednesday sent over the following team: Walker; Hodgkiss, Hadfield; Baker, Burridge, Barmforth ; Allen, Hopkinson, Thorpe, Hill, Simpson.

Wath fielded : Whittaker; W. (“Pal”) Moore, Hopper; Dawber, Bedford, Dennis; W. Moore, Hargreaves, ‘Williams, E. Murden, L. Murden.

The game was purely “for the good of the cause,” but nevertheless the spectators saw some delightful combination football. The game was rather fast, and although the Wednesday scored first they did not have the best of the exchanges.

Hill and Simpson were the “sting” in the Wednesday attack, but Dawber did not let them have things as they would have liked. He played one of his best games. The Wednesday halves were strong hut the Wath forwards gradually wore them down. Walker was none too sure in goal and on several occasions the Wath forwards had him at their mercy but they could not score.

Midway through the second half Hargreaves equalised. Williams secured the ball at the half-way line, and dribbled the ball up field, Walker going full length at his shot. He partly saved but Hargreaves rushed up and pushed it into the net.

Hopper, the young Bolton Albion lad, gave a more promising display at left back. He certainly has the makings in him, and all he needs is experience and the eagerness of youth worn down.