Reds Egg Onto 6th Place

[Duffer]

<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" /> Willenhall's hopes of a top 6 finnish in this season's Midland Football Alliance were re-born over the Easter break.

 

Super Smith sinks Studley were the headlines on Saturday 19th April, when Jason Smith was the Reds hero as his 2 goals sank close rivals for the 6th place, Studley.

 

On 10 mintues he curled the ball into the corner of the goal from the edge of the box. He doubled the lead on 21 minutes when Moseley squared the ball to the little striker, his rifled shot going in off the crossbar from 20 yards out.

 

Local neighbours Wednesfield were the visitors on Easter Monday for the Reds final home game of the season. Willenhall had half a dozen regulars missing, including keeper Vaughan who was missing through suspension again, stand in keeper Olden was on holiday, so striker Quilt (nursing a broken nose!) stood in as keeper.

 

It was clear to see why Wednesfield have been the basement club for the season, so it was no surprise when on 9 minutes the Reds took the lead. A Moseley cross was headed home by the unmarked Hay.

 

However with visiting keeper Cooke in top form it was not until the 27th minute when the next clear chance came to Hay. With just Cooke to beat, Hay needed too much time and by the time he shot, a defender had arrived to clear off the line, the loose ball was then ballooned over the bar by Whitcombe.

 

A minute later and some excellant work by the under used Bromley saw his cross poked home by Swann to double the lead.

 

On 32 minutes Lloyd let rip from 30 yards only to see his effort cannon off the post. A minute into the second half found Slater with an one on one with Cooke, another brilliant save denied the defender.

 

Hay grabbed his second on 47 minutes when he collected the ball and slotted home the third. On 50 minutes Whitcombe was adjudged to have been tripped in the box, up stepped Hay to try for his hat trick, his spot kick superbly saved by the diving keeper.

 

The fouth goal didn't arrive untill the 76th minute, thanks mainly to Willenhall's poor finnishing and some excellant blocks by Cooke, a Whitcombe through ball found sub Bullimore who slotted the ball under the keeper.

 

The final goal came on 82 minutes when Carter curled the ball on the ground through a static defence and a bewildered Cooke.

 

Willenhall's final MFA game is away to Stratford on Saturday 26th April.