Reds Back On Track

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Unibond Northern Premier League Division One

Tuesday 28th September 2004

EASTWOOD TOWN 1 vs WILLENHALL TOWN 2

 

After losing three of their last four league games the Reds re-visited Coronation Park hoping for a repeat of their FA Cup win there a few weeks previous. However, things started badly for the injury-ravaged side when Colcombe aggravated his rib injury in the pre-match warm up and sub Jones had to step in for the ex-WBA & Torquay pro.

Once the whistle blew the Reds went on the attack like hungry lions after their prey, Smith looked to have converted a Hay flick, but the ref ruled the goal offside on just two minutes.

In a fast paced game the Reds held the upper hand in the proceedings and on 20 minutes a through ball to Hay saw the striker deliver some superb ball control before dispatching the ball past Smith in the Badgers goal.

With the Reds playing down the slope they made their advantage pay on 35 minutes when a Swan corner was powerfully headed home by defender Creighton.

The ref brought the entertaining first half to close and the crowd of 152 waited for more of the same.

On the hour the ref made, what is becoming an all too common custom in the Unibond, the unexplainable decision, a late foul on keeper Vaughan was flagged up by the assistant, the ref then booked the keeper and re-started the game with a drop ball on the half way line!

The second half saw the visitors play like a well-organised unit and they never looked seriously challenged until the final few minutes.

With the ref enjoying the game as much as the crowd he found an extra 5 minutes of added time, and this prompted the hosts to lay siege to the Willenhall goal. It was a case of backs to the wall for the Reds, but out of one assault, the cleared ball fell to Hay who with just the keeper to beat shot just wide.

On the 94th minute Fisher netted to give the Badgers a consolation goal.

 

Reds line up; Vaughan, Colwell, Jones, Slater, Creighton, Webb, Field, Myers, Hay, Swann, Smith. Subs; McGhee, Tyrell, Colcombe.

 

The Reds now entertain Shepshed on Saturday in the FA Cup.