Willenhall v N Ferriby Utd

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Unibond Northern Premier League Division One

Saturday 25th September 2004

WILLENHALL TOWN 2 vs NORTH FERRIBY UNITED 3

 

This was never going to be an easy game for the Reds, nursing several injuries, against a team much fancied to be in with a shout of promotion, and with the same ref who performed so badly in their FA Cup game against Barwell the previous week

True to form it took just 17 minutes for the man in the middle to make his first of many eccentric decisions, Colcombe on the half way line was catapulted in the air by Moore’s two footed lunge, and as the Red man fell back to earth he landed on his perpetrator, unbelievably the visitors were awarded a free kick and Colcombe was shown a straight red card with no action took for the original foul much to the frustration of the 106 mainly home fans.

Despite this set back the Reds continued to match their opponents who were helped by several one sided decisions by the officials.

The pacey Bradshaw opened the account on 26 minutes, when he turned Creighton and rifled home the ball from close range.

Two minutes later and a long ball down field found Bradshaw, the little striker spotted Vaughan off his line and lobbed the keeper from 15 yards out to double the tally.

Another controversial talking point came on 32 minutes, when the darker side of Bradshaw appeared, the striker yards off side continued on his run despite the ref’s continued whistle blowing, and when he reached the box keeper Vaughan attempted to get the ball to resume the game, the striker still refused to surrender the ball. The ref decided to book the keeper and take no action against Bradshaw for holding up the game.

True to form the first half ended on another low note, this time with the ref way behind play Fothergill, yards offside, dived dramatically into the area, without hesitating the ref pointed to the penalty spot, his assistant flagged for the offside and in the melee, a goal kick was finally awarded!

Drastic measures were needed for the second half, but with Whitcombe on holiday, Quilt out through a back injury, Edwards missing after a works accident, Curran out with an injured thigh, Thomas suspended, the host’s options were limited. For the second half Smith and Tyrell came on for McGee and Jones. Vaughan had to be alert after just two minutes of the re-start Fothergill found himself one on one, only a point blank block by the keeper denied the striker.

Smith started to show he had nearly recovered from his injury layoff when he danced through the United defence and crossed the ball to Hay who dutifully headed home.

With the Reds starting to dominate the play, it came as a bitter blow when they gave the ball away cheaply and Fothergill volleyed home to make it 1-3.

Despite carrying a knee injury Swann joined the fray to replace Field and on 77 minutes the Reds spectacularly grabbed another goal. Hay flicked a Smith free kick on, and an overhead kick by Tyrell saw the ball fly into the net.

With more diving than at the Olympics by the visitors from Hull and some sub standard referring it was a tall order for the Reds to pull the game back, indeed their luck was summed up on 78 minutes when two blatant hand ball by defenders in the box denied Smith.

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

 

The Reds must now re-group for their league visit to Eastwood on Tuesday before they entertain fellow Unibonders Shepshed at Noose Lane on Saturday in the FA Cup.