Town pip Kidsgrove

[Guest]

Tuesday 7th December 2004

Unibond Northern Premier League Division One

WILLENHALL TOWN 2 vs KIDSGROVE ATHLETIC 1

 

The night started grim for Reds boss Rob Smith, not only did he have striker Quilt starting on a long ban but also his two other strikers, Hay and Edwards, were injured!

So it was left to veteran Myers and raw youngster Jones to lead the forward line as the Reds tried to get back to winning ways.

To add some spice into the game, Richard Field returned to Noose Lane as cover from Redditch and what a call it was to turn out to be!!

As expected the Reds imposed themselves on the game in the opening encounters, and it took just 13 minutes for them to turn their pressure into a goal. Some excellent play saw Field opening the scoring from close range.

The Reds were to have the upper hand for the majority of the first half hour but couldn’t capitalise on their advantage.

The best chance fell to new boy Rowe on 34 minutes; he collected the ball and tore through the not so Athletic defence before just shooting wide.

Into the first quarter of the second half and a double change saw Jones and McGhee replaced by Webb and Smith.

Kidsgrove started brightly and had a couple of half chances, the best a 20-yard free kick, which went narrowly wide on 64 minutes.

However, it was the Reds who managed to soak up the visitor’s pressure and then retaliate with a second goal on 83 minutes, this time an unstoppable 20-yard volley by Field bet keeper Heeps.

In a great battle which kept the 109 fans entertained Athletic grabbed a goal back just two minutes later, Rhead, seemingly in an offside position, ran at the Reds defence before unleashing a volley, a brilliant finger-tipped save by keeper Vaughan saved the day, but from the resulting corner Kinsey knocked the ball home.

The Reds hung on to take the deserved and valuable points to move them back into 4th place.

Reds line up; Vaughan, Colwell, Colcombe, Slater, Creighton, Thomas, Rowe, Myers, Jones, McGhee, Field. Subs Smith, Webb, Whitcombe.

 

In a real “six pointer” Willenhall entertain 5th placed Stocksbridge Park Steels on Saturday, with just two points the difference between them, and if the corresponding away tie is anything to go by, this match will be a right hum-dinger!

 

Danny McGhee has turned his three month loan spell from Hednesford with the Reds into a permanent move.

 

At the Stocksbridge game on Saturday, manager Rob Smith will be awarded the Unibond League - Club of the Month Award for November 2004. The presentation will be made by Area Representative Gareth Davies on behalf of the Unibond League together with a representaive of Henkel Limited. The award is a framed certificate along with 6 bottles of Pol Roger Champagne.

 

Damian Whitcombe's second half penalty against Rocester in the midweek win against the Roman's not only gave Willenhall Town three points against last seasons MFA Champions but bought up the 50th competitive goal that the Red's have scored this season in all competitions.

It also meant every starting outfield player has scored this season for the Red's.