Mexborough and Swinton Times August 30, 1929
Wath Break A Run.
Strong Points and Weaknesses In Denaby Display.
Denaby United 1, Wath Athletic 1
Wath were fortunate to get a point at Denabv on Saturday, but they merely broke the long run of fortune that has given Denaby both points in this opening match for several seasons.
Wath tried two young backs, Bacon and Chester, and they were a little raw. Denaby, through injuries had to replace Betteridge by Taylor, and A. Green by Kaye.
Denaby were soon off the mark and forced Wath to defend desperately, but gradually Wath settled down and the game afterwards was even.
The heavy rain did not spoil the match for some good football was played. L. Green, Denaby’s centre-forward, was fast and a hard worker but in time Angus got the measure of him. Skeels was keenly watched throughout by Hill, and Finney but the tricky little Wath winger was often too fast for them.
Murray, Wath’s new right winger took a long time to settle down but afterwards showed some good touches. Moore gave him the opportunity to work down the field and pass to HARGREAVES, who scored Wath’s goal. That occurred after ten minutes in the second half. Before that Wath had some escapes. A shot by Taylor hit the foot of an upright with Eagle beaten and another shot by Smith hit the crossbar. SMITH equalised ten minutes before the end after a combined Denaby movement.
On the game—and it was hard to estimate play under such vile conditions—both Wath and Denaby are putting good teams in the field. Wath had a faulty defence, hut were sound in other departments. Bratley’s experience should remedy the defensive weakness. The half back line is good. Dawber, on Saturday, played back and half with success. Angus distributed the ball well and gave Sanderson plenty of openings—which were rarely taken—by deftpasses up the middle. Murray played well with Moore, and Hargreaves and Skeels were a useful pair. Sanderson, a half, was not successful at centre-forward. Are Wath to be in the same trouble as last season with that position?
The man of the day was Eagle in the Wath goal. He was cool and used sound judgment. The Denaby team was sound in all sections. Green was a good leader of attack and both wings were effective. Finney was a great worker and Hill and Senior supported him satisfactorily. In Woodhead and Ogley, Denaby have a good pair of backs—youth and experience blended.
Speight made some clever saves in goal. The teams were
Denaby: Speight; Ogley, Woodhead ; Hill, Finney, Senior; Howe, Smith, L. Green, Kaye, Taylor.
Wath: Eagle; Damn, Chester; Dawber, Angus Dennis; Murray, F. Moore, Sanderson, Hargreaves, Skeels
Referee: J. T. Boothman, South Elmsall.