S&HCSL League Cup
Dodworth MW 1-0 Denaby Main
Unlikely hero Sam Severn effectively propelled Dodworth Miners Welfare into the League Cup quarter-finals after scrambling home the dramatic 93rd minute winner in Barnsley.
The saying ‘better late than never’ sums up Severn’s moment of local fame. The second half substitute arrived ten minutes into the Group A clash due to golf course issues and he pounced during an almighty scrummage during Dodworth’s desperate last attack to spark scenes of unbridled jubilation.
With Denaby still having to play Oughtibridge again, the last gasp victory all but assures Dodworth of their progression.
The closing scene was a cruel on Denaby who played most of the second half with ten men and had two of the game’s best chances.
One came right at the start of the second stanza and the other after Jordan Cooper had been sent off for a second bookable offence.
Division One outfit Denaby had more than matched the Premier Division giants on their own turf and defended exceptionally.
Although a goal-less draw was written all over the contest until Severn intervened, the endeavour from both sides was evident.
Young Liam Owen, the former Nostell Miners Welfare and Ossett Town player, wasted two great first half chances for Dodworth, who missed Owen’s unavailable older brother Jack’s attacking potency. Their other in-form front-man Calan Rollinson, the well-coiffed youngster, was clearly suffering from severe groin problems and he struggled to make an impact.
Owen’s first miss was from close range – although the challenge on him from the Denaby goalkeeper after the ball had gone arguably should have seen a penalty awarded.
Dean Cooper’s Denaby gave the home side the jitters straight after the interval following some rare poor defending. Dodworth were all at sea and that allowed Najib Arrian to bear down on goalkeeper Josh Herring. Half-time substitute Ben Severn managed to get back and perhaps his efforts played a part as Arrian fired wide.
Dodworth must have sensed blood when Cooper saw red for a rash challenge near the fabulous main stand – just a few minutes after a harsh yellow card for a foul on Danny Barlow.
Dodworth manager and tactical whizz-kid Darren Young ordered his team to get the ball out wide to stretch the visitors and they duly did. Although most of the last half-hour was spent in the Denaby half, the visitors defended their penalty box extremely well and looked more than comfortable.
Denaby even nearly nicked the lead against the run of the play. Dodworth were well and truly in trouble when Jordan Pilling broke clear and only had Herring to beat. Somehow Herring managed to smoother the ball and Dodworth escaped.
Dodworth’s best hope of scoring was clearly from a set-piece and there were a succession of them in the last 20 minutes
Although without Richard Lavery, a Marlboro of a centre-half who can dominate a box, Dodworth know how to attack a corner or free kick with giants like Simon Rogers, Aaron Brotherton and Reece Hawkshaw around. Then as well with prodigal son Barlow on free kicks, Dodworth are always going to have a good chance of scoring.
And so it came to be, with just seconds remaining. A corner, a bit of pinball wizard, a major hand-ball appeal and Severn stabbing the ball home.
Harsh on Denaby, but handshakes all round.
Who Was In Charge
Russell Lagden (5/10)
Had no control on the game
Man of the Match
Simon Rogers (Dodworth Miners Welfare)