Reds Count Cost of Missed Chances

[Duffer]

Saturday 21st August 2004

Unibond Northern Premier League Division One

WILLENHALL TOWN 1 vs ROSSENDALE UNITED 1

 

For the first time in their 51 year history the Reds started the season in the Unibond League, a welcome return to the senior ranks of non-league football for the Noose Lane club.

Dispite having their formidable strike force Quilt and Hay suspended the Reds made a comfortable start until the 17th minute when the Reds found themselves a goal down, the Stags taking advantage of a defensive slip by defender Whitcombe, Forsyth heading home giving keeper Vaughan no chance.

The Reds re-grouped immediately and nearly levelled from the re-start, Smith heading a Coates cross just over the bar.

On the half hour Swann saw his effort in the box blocked by what appeared to be the hand of a Stags defender, but the ref waved play.

However, on 33 minutes Town were back on level terms when a Smith corner was blasted into the net from close range by new signing Thomas.

Three minutes later and Smith and Myers found themselves in space and with plenty of time to convert the chance, however keeper Eatock saved from close range. With 5 minutes remaining Tyrell nearly saw his early hard work pay off when his swirling 25 yard shot went just over the Stags goal.

 

The second half saw the Reds totally dominate the game and only several brilliant saves by the Stags man of the match Eatok and some less than sharp finishing prevented the Reds getting all the points.

Just 9 minutes into the second period Smith saw his effort cleared off the goal line and a minute later Edwards saw his low shot saved by the hand of a diving Eatock.

Edwards beat the offside on 64 minutes only to force another tremendous save from the keeper from Lancashire.

The best chance fell on 79 minutes when a low cross beat everyone including 3 Reds players who just need a touch to stroke the ball in.

Eatock was again on hand on 80 minutes when he produced yet another one handed save to deny Smith. With the clocking ticking away Swann looked to have snatched the points at the death when he headed home a Smith cross, this time it was the whistle of the ref who denied the Reds the points when he ruled the effort off-side.

On the second half performance the Reds Unibond future is as bright as their dazzling new strips.

Reds line up; Vaughan, Colwell, Whitcombe, Slater, Thomas, Myers, Smith, Swann, Tyrell, Edwards, Coates. Subs; Curran, Hamilton, & Jackson.

 

The Reds Northern adventure continues with two away trips, Wednesday 24th August at ex-Midland Football Alliance rivals Shaepshed Dynamo, then Saturday they visit West Yorkshire side Ossett Albion. The Reds next home game is 3pm Bank Holiday Monday 30th August when Spalding United visit.

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