DENABY RUSH IN FOR A WIN AT OUGHTIBRIDGE

OUGHTIBRIDGE WMFC 1 DENABY UTD 3
SHEFFIELD COUNTY SENIOR PREMIER @ WATERSIDE GARDENS
18 APRIL 2018 --- 6PM

OUGHTIBRIDGE WMFC

Deanby stormed back from going a goal down to a superb 25 yard free kick from the home sides Tom Fletcher to add three more points to pull the Conisbrough based side further away from the wrong end of the table.
After a sporting week in Yorkshire, Dodworth last Saturday, Sunday at Kiveton watching Renishaw in The Chesterfield Sunday League followed by Sheffield Eagles tonight saw a continuation of Yorkshire sport thanks to a late spot in the fixture list highlighted Oughtibridge WM FC with a re arranged game tonight against Denaby Utd and following the terrible wet weather and then latterly snow this left a difficult fixture to schedule with a 6pm kick off for the team travelling from Doncaster it was never realistic, luckily we did have the final few visitng players here by just after the kick off time and we were under way just 20 minutes late.
Travel from base station saw an arrival in Sheffield with time to make the switch to the Supertram before changing in the city centre and opting to alight for a MacDonalds visit at the Hillsborough Barracks restaurant, I always feel slightly uncomfortable using the term restaurant!  It was a rushed visit that soon had me a board a tram for the three stops to the Middlewood terminus of the tram and then a Supertram link bus that goes via Oughtibridge to Stocksbridge.

THE RIVER DON IN FULL FLOW WITH OUGHTIBRIDGE TO THE BACKGROUND

There is very little to see or do in Oughtibridge the village shop seems to be incapacitated and apart from the pub, park and football/cricket ground the small old village that set up around the former mill that sat alongside the fast flowing River Don it was just an expanding private housing area to the immediate eye.  The nature of the main road through the village requires a one way system with the sports facility we are aiming for sat very much in the valley surrounded by banks of house steeply climbing skyward.

TOUR DE YORKSHIRE SIGNS GIVE WAY TO THE STEEPNESS AROUND THESE PARTS

Entering by Waterside Gardens the Don is flowing sharply and on more than one occasion recently as caused problems for the football, Oughtibridge War Memorial Football Club to give it its full title and cricket clubs.  Entering at around 5.30pm its clear Denaby will have a struggle making kick off but thankfully so far Oughtibridge are well prepared and about to warm up.

A UNIQUE FEEL ABOUT THE STANDS

The ground is to the far side of the cricket with the pavilion acting as the changing base for the teams, with the pitch roped off on the near side and the cricket square Herras fenced for protection most of the furniture is on the far side.  With a steep bank behind the collection of mini stands and terracing all creating a special personal touch to the match accommodation.  Its probably best to view the picture than describe these needless to say they are all unique in their own little way.

SPOT THE FLOODLIGHT

Towards the far goal is a small training area with some mini floodlights plus a floodlight stanchion hiding in the trees, this end also has a will protected high fence area to try to avoid any balls running away into the river.
Before the game it was nice to catch up with James Benfold from Denaby Utd and the producer of the much acclaimed excellent Deanby Utd programme well worth getting hold of.

EARLY MATCH ACTION WITH THE HOME SIDE ON THE BALL

The rushing arrival of Denaby looked to have taken a toll on 22 minutes when Fletcher superbly placed a 25 yard free kick into the Denaby goal to give the home side the lead.  Matt Harrison then went close to adding a second as Oughtibridge looked to force home their early advantage.  Gradually Denaby were coming into the game and on 32 minutes they equalised when Ashley Finney lofted the ball over Nathan Ryan and that's how we went into half time.

DENABY KEEPER JAMIE TUNE CLAIMS THE BALL

Five minutes into the second half Jack Whittaker raced through to beat the offside shouts and calmly rounded Ryan to convert.  Worse was to come for Oughtibridge on 65 minutes when Whittaker turned provider for Steve Ellor to head home to make it 3-1 to the visitors, who needs big warm ups and preparations?  With just over ten minutes remaining Denaby should have been out of sight awarded a penalty the home keeper pulled off a smart save to deny Finney his second.

DENABY UTD FIRST TO THE BALL

A convenient final whistle allowed a steady walk back for the 8.15 link service back to Middlewood for the Supertram which was one of the newer versions with on the warmest day its heating stuck on generating a sultry 31 degrees according the sweltering conductress.  With a departure in the city and a smart walk to Sheffield station an arrival back at base station around 9.15 had produced a remarkable evening transport return of around one hour.