Tickhill Square, the former home of Denaby United before they folded in 2002, but today is home of Denaby Main situated between Conisbrough and Mexborough, Doncaster, South Yorkshire and play their trade in the Sheffield & Hallamshire County Senior Division 1. 1st May 2021 and they play host to Wombwell Town in the Sheffield & Hallamshire League Cup Group Stage.
Off I go on the road to meet the Merry Miller! Off to Wath upon Dearne I go and as an early bird I’ve done it again, plenty of time to kill so lets check out the Church House in Wath!
Eventually he made it and now begins the long walk to Denaby. It sure is a good day to own a fit bit watch! Walking past Manvers now and a lovely display here! Stonehenge eat your heart out!
Going through Mexborough now but Google Maps is saying we haven’t made up any lost time and we could miss the kick off… One phone call later and Ben, the Blade is taking a detour from Leeds to give us a lift!! If Carlsberg made friendships!! And thanks to Ben we made it to the ground in good time! This is the fixture we had planned to see in January after our visit to Stanley United, but sadly lockdown postponed that visit, but not for much longer!! I have been looking forward to visiting this ground since visiting Denaby United’s ground!! Hopefully it doesn’t disappoint.
Free Entry for this cup tie! Oi Oi! Kick Off! “da da dadada da da da da DENABY!” The lads in the stand making some noise for Denaby here!! 5 minutes in and a long ball played by Denaby to number 18 on the right wing, he cuts inside on the edge of the box, he goes for goal… Straight at the keeper, hopefully a sign of things to come.
The Denaby fans in the stand making a Racket here today!! “Denaby till I die! I’m Denaby till I die! I know I am I’m sure I am! I’m Denaby TILL I DIE!!” And on my way around the ground I’ve bumped into a man I met at Wombwell Town last summer, great to see him again! 19 minutes gone now and Wombwell play a long ball forward towards number 9 and he gets it and drives into the box on the right hand side, he plays a low cross… Just wide!! So close but it is a corner as number 8 for Denaby got the final touch but it so could have been an own goal. The corner comes in… Cleared.
It’s a very competitive affair here with both teams struggling to break down each other’s defence. 34 minutes on the clock and Wombwell have the ball on the right, the cross comes in, punched away by the keeper, it comes to number 3 for Wombwell 25 yards out and he goes for it!! Straight at the keeper!
42 minutes gone and Denaby come forward with number 11, he drives down the left hand side and cuts into the box, he’s going away from goal but gets a shot away… Just wide! So close to curling in to the far corner! The competitiveness continued but there would be no goals before half time.
Second half, “we’re the Denaby boys making all the noise everywhere we go!!” Hopefully the game picks up just like the atmosphere has been… 2 minutes in and a long ball by Denaby sees number 11 on the end of it and he’s in… Good save by the keeper! Big chance!
53 minutes in and Wombwell have the ball on the right and the ball is crossed, the ball falls to number 4 on the volley… Sliced straight to the Denaby defender who has sliced the clearance straight back to number 4, will it be second time lucky on the volley…? No it won’t he’s sliced it again… Oh non league!! Wish I had that on video… And the Denaby fans respond: “How wide do you want the net?”
Wombwell’s number 2 getting some stick from the Denaby fans now: “You’re just a s*** Gary Neville!” 22 games me and the Merry Miller have seen without a 0-0 but it’s looking like today could break that record sadly…
77 minutes gone and Denaby have the ball on the right hand side, the ball is driven in low and blocked by Wombwell’s number 5 and the ball falls to number 11… GOAL!!! He’s scored!! It’s not going to be 0-0 now!! The Denaby fans loving that!! They’ve let the pyro off!!! “BEST SUPPORT WE’VE EVER SEEN!!
Me and the Merry Miller letting our feelings known to the Denaby lads creating today’s atmosphere with claps and thumbs up from the lads! “Worst jacket I’ve ever seen!” And the Denaby keeper is shouting at me now calling out my jacket… Only in non league!! Fantastic!
81 minutes gone and can Wombwell respond? They have the ball on the right, the cross comes in… Bundled towards goal by number 9 and… Has that crossed the line?? The players are appealing and the referee… Has pointed to the spot!! It’s a Penalty to Wombwell! A handball on the line by number 2 and surely that’s a red card? It is! Number 2 for Denaby is off!! The Denaby fans run around to behind the goal now. Number 9 for Wombwell will step up… He’s scored! It’s 1-1! And number 9 is throwing his arms at the Denaby fans behind the goal who are less than happy…
The game continued as it did in the first half with little chances but a great chance for me and the Merry Miller to meet the Denaby fans here today. The final whistle was blown with the score 1-1. A fair result I must say and it just shows how football can spring to life when you least expect it! A handshake with the Denaby keeper and a current work colleague of mine playing for Wombwell and me and the Merry Miller began the long walk back to Wath with rain beginning to start. “It’s the sort of rain that makes you wet”. Yeah thanks for that Professor Merry Miller…
FT: Denaby Main 1-1 Wombwell Town
Ratings
- Atmosphere: 8.5/10 – Finally! For the first time in months we have an atmosphere!!! It wasn’t rocking but it was fantastic to see especially with a Pyro!! Banter with players and chants throughout by those Denaby lads with a few of them coming here from Manchester today supposedly!
- The Ground: 6/10 – It’s a great ground for this level! 2 stands and with the newest stand being accommodated with the seats from York City’s old Bootham Crescent! Plenty of personality at the ground with a decent clubhouse! I’d say it’s a top Central Midlands ground, but with the addition of floodlights, it goes to an NCEL ground I think.
- Expense: 10/10 – Free entry again for goals and a great atmosphere! Thank you again!
- Overall Experience: 10/10 – I absolutely loved today!! Fantastic crowd, great to see some old faces and a great finish to what was a competitive game for the most part!
34.5/40