Reds Grind Out Win

[Duffer]

Tuesday 26th November 2002

Midland Football Alliance

WILLENHALL TOWN 2 vs CRADLEY TOWN 0

 

Despite putting the visitors under pressure for most of the match the Reds were unable to reap the rewards of their toil. Cradley playing in possibly the leagues most snappiest strip (Laurence Llewelyn Bowen would have been proud!) laid out their stall from kick off and played 10 behind the ball. Poor finishing and an in form Paul Smith in the Cradley goal denied the Reds for most of the match.

 

On four minutes Whitcombe saw his 20 yard free kick go just wide, and this summed up the first half efforts. Reds boss Rob Smith saw yet another player being helped off (30 minutes), this time Hider was added to the causality list.

 

The second half saw the Reds continue to bombard the Cradley defence, on 54 minutes keeper Smith bravely dived at Bullimore's feet to deny the striker at close range.

 

The pressure paid off on 70 minutes when Pearce battled in the box before floating the ball over to Bullimore to crack open the scoring.

 

Six minutes later and the other half of the deadly duo, Hay, strolled through the Cradley defence before slotting home the ball over keeper Smith.

 

The match should have been tied up on 83 minutes when a Hay / Bromley move saw Hay hit the post.

 

Saturday sees the Reds entertain Shifnal with new signing Mark Walters in line to make his debut. The ex- England, Rangers, Liverpool & Wolves star with 130 goals from 603 league games has been drafted in to boost the injury ravaged squad.