Reds Wrap Up Bridgo

[Duffer]

Monday 26th August 2002

Midland Football Alliance

WILLENHALL TOWN 2 vs BRIDGNORTH TOWN 0

 

After last season's 11-1 thrashing Bridgnorth made the trip to Noose Lane hoping for better things. Unfortunately for the Shropshire side they lacked any ideas up front and barely troubled the home side.

 

After just 4 minutes the Reds made their intentions clear when Pearce headed narrowly over the crossbar as keeper Jones missed a punch.

 

Willenhall continued with the pressure and on 19 minutes Bullimore battled with 3 defenders before his shot hit the out stretched leg of Jones. A minute later and the Reds broke the deadlock when Moseley beat the off side trap and coolly slotted the ball past the keeper.

 

On 29 minutes Hay scored his 6th goal in 6 games by converting the easiest chance he's had so far. Feet away from the goal line, the keeper and defender left the ball for each other and Hay poked it into the unguarded net.

 

Despite having all the play Willenhall couldn't add to their tally before the half time whistle.

 

The Reds started the second period much as they ended the first - on the attack, on 48 minutes a Goodall corner was headed narrowly over the bar. On 54 minutes a Whitcombe through ball was collected by Bullimore, he beat the defender before shooting wide, and 59 minutes the Reds could have had a penalty. A long ball over the defence and as Hay went to head it into the net the keeper flatten the striker, but the ref declined the appeals.

 

On fire striker Bullimore sent Hay goal wards, he set up sub Grosvenor who's shot was blocked by Jones. From the resulting Goodall corner Bullimore's effort was just over the crossbar.

 

However, tragedy struck on 68 minutes when Bullimore collected a through ball, with only the approaching keeper to beat he lobbed the ball over the keeper and just over the goal, he then limped off with a strain.

 

With full time approaching the frustration of having no attacks on the Willenhall goal started to get to the visitors and on 82 minutes Smith was shown his second yellow card, this time for the apparent use of an elbow.

 

In the final minute Jones made a wonderful out streched, one handed save to deny Hay and to keep a respectable score line.

 

Next Saturday sees Glapwell (including ex-England star Chris Waddle) visit Noose Lane in an FA Cup match.