Reds In League Cup Win

[Guest]

Tuesday 9th November 2004

Unibond League Cup Round 2

Eastwood Town 2 v Willenhall Town 3

(after extra time)

 

Despite half a dozen goal line clearances, several brilliant goalkeeping saves, numerous missed chances and two big decisions going against them, a much-changed Willenhall side battled their way through to the next stage of the League Cup.

Willenhall had already returned victorious from Coronation Park twice this season, both times recording 2-1 wins on their travels, and the opening 20 minutes looked like they would comfortably repeat the feat.

After having all the play the Reds opened their account on 23 minutes when Edwards saw his cross banged in the goal by Colcombe.

However, the celebrations were put back on hold just three minutes later when with their first attack the Badgers levelled. A free kick by Millns skidded off Vaughan’s far post and rolled in.

McGhee showed some delightful dribbling and close ball control on 41 minutes when he beat two defenders and then lobbed the ball goal wards, his effort going just wide of the goal.

After having a good fair first half the ref bottled his first big decision of the night, just nine minutes into the second half. Myers found himself one on one with the keeper, he pushed the ball past Bryant, only for the keeper to grab his leg and send the midfielder to the ground, a clear penalty to the 182 crowd, but not to the ref.

This spurned on the Reds and some great passing football on 59 minutes ended with a goal looking effort by Whitcombe, only a late out stretched leg of a defender denied the Reds. Four minutes later and another super move saw Creighton head a Colcombe cross just wide.

On 81 minutes the Reds looked to have grabbed the lead back, when an unmarked Creighton jumped and headed home a corner, the Badgers retreated with the ball to the half way line to restart, only for the ref to stun all 22 players by disallowing the effort for climbing!

This bizarre decision stunned the Reds enough for the hosts to grab a shock lead when a slip by Creighton let them in and Knox tapped the ball into an unguarded net.

Just in time, sub Tyrell headed a late equaliser on the 90th minute to give the fans some more exciting and tense extra time.

Nine minutes into the extra time, and Jones saw his effort headed off the Badgers goal line, then a minute into the second period of added time, Tyrell saw his shot cleared off the line.

However, the Badgers were beaten in the 112th minute when a Curran free kick, just inside the Badgers den deceived everyone and skidded in the net to send the Red Army home happy.

Reds line up; Vaughan, Webb, Whitcombe, Curran, Creighton, Slater, McGhee, Myers, Edwards, Jones, Colcombe. Subs Tyrell, Colwell & Hay.

The Reds entertain Woodley Sports in the league on Saturday before visiting Nationwide Conference North side Redditch United in the Birmingham Senior Cup on Tuesday.

 

<img src="/forum/images/graemlins/ghost.gif" alt="" />