'Keen' to play on a very heavy pitch Denton fielded only 2 players that appeared on the team sheet when Whaley narrowly beat them in August.

The visitors were their own worst enemy early on by not looking after the ball well enough; loose balls and wayward passes gave the ball away to easily in dangerous areas and brought pressure on with Bently, Yarwood & Hewitt almost taking advantage .

Things deteriorated for the visitors when the influential Sutton fell awkwardly after heading a corner away and left the field with a twisted knee. So after only 18 minutes the manager had to rearrange the set up yet again bringing on Will Bailey after only 18 minutes.

Anyway Whaley, still on the back foot for long spells but never really looking like conceding started to counter with Scorer’s shot saved and Morris’ tipped over the bar. Newton came closest when, from a corner, his downward header was cleared off the line when the ball hit the sprawling keeper's leg at the far post.  Morris suffered close attention from centre back Walsh; booked for scything the cultured Whaley winger down he somehow managed to remain on the field after other similar ‘tackles’ only to be taken off late on by the Denton management! All in all Denton kept the ball for good spells but Whaley probably had the better chances first half and so going in level was probably a fair reflection of the action.

Whaley didn’t focus early doors second half and gave themselves a mountain to climb when after only 7 minutes Hewitt latched on to a flicked header and unleashed an unstoppable 25 yard dipping shot into the far top corner; no keeper in the world would have saved that!

The next goal was crucial with both teams working hard to open up either defence; Salmon & Yarwood always a constant danger prevented any of Whaley’s defence from getting forward. Whaley finally made an impact when Will Bailey’s determination took him past his marker & then full back Beeley before squaring for Scorer to side foot past keeper Dillnut - all square! Whaley followed up with shots from Morris and Gregory; the first parried the second just whizzing past the post.

Denton decided to go three up front but still didn’t really make too much impression until all Whaley’s resolve was undone when a more determined Denton midfield player won his tackle and started the match winning move. Denton’s Yarwood played Salmon in who was free on the right side of the box; he smashed his first and only clear opportunity into the roof of the net again giving Tattersall no chance. Whaley piled on the pressure and thought they had got the equaliser but Barlow’s shot rebounded to safety after hitting the underside of the bar.

Rob Newton and Adam Barlow who was returning from long term injury were Whaley’s stand out players.

J Tattersall J Bailey (78) R Newton C T Streets J Gemmill B Sutton (18) A Barlow J Gregory J Burgess L Morris T Scorer (1)(72)

J Kelly (72) W Bailey (18) J Drayson (78)