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   Worsley Town 3 Redvales Metro 2
By Neil Turner
Worsley Town booked their place in the second round of the CFFL Shield after a spirited comeback saw the Dukes beat Redvales Metro 3-2 at the Macabbi. Goals by Chris Wolstencroft and James Batty, as well as an own goal sealed the win on a wet and windy Macabbi pitch. Town started slowly and struggled to assert any authority on the game and after 10 minutes found themselves behind. Redvales kept the ball in a well worked attack and the Redvales midfielders found an opening on the edge of the box before curling the ball into the top corner. Fitton, in the Town goals, had no chance as the ball sailed in to open the scoring. After the goal, the visitors took on a more defensive approach and looked to frustrate the hosts. Town though did manage to carve out some decent opportunities and had almost all of the possession. Patience was the key and Town popped the around, probing for openings. Chris Wolstencroft and Peter Davies worked well down the right and tormented the Redvales left back. On one such opening, some direct running by the fleet footed Davies saw him get to the byline and pull the ball back for Mike Eckersley, whose low shot fizzed just wide of the post. Town almost came close from a corner. A quickly worked short set-piece saw James Batty in acres of space and he smacked a superb low cross along the six yard box, but nobody was alert and the ball went out for a throw-in. Town continued to press, but were susceptible to the counter-attack. Phil Leese and Neil Turner both made excellent last ditch tackles to thwart any danger. Half-time came with the score at 1-0 to the away team. Shortly after half-time, forward Danny Allcock made way for midfielder Alan Stockton and a re-shuffle saw Alex Law move up-front. Stockton almost equalised minutes later when a Craig Dyson cross from the right saw his header clawed away brilliantly by the Redvales ‘keeper who was having an excellent game up to this point. The ‘keeper then made two more good stops, firstly from an Eckersley strike and then a superb save when Batty found himself one v one after a mazy run. On the hour mark, Town equalised. Chris Wolstencroft found space on the right and his fierce cross looked to be heading for Andrew Fletcher for an easy tap in, but a Vales defender diverted the cross into the net himself and let the stranded ‘keeper with no chance. Alex Law almost put the Dukes in minutes later. Fletcher brilliantly flicked on a Wolstencroft through to Batty who nodded across goal for Alex Law, but the ball was just too high and Law’s header went harmlessly over the bar. At this point, it was all Town. A series of corners put the away side under all kinds of pressure, but then Redvales managed to break after a corner was cleared. The visitors found themselves moving quickly down the right and with numbers in support, the ball was centred leaving the Vale left winger with an easy chance at the back post to put the visitors into the lead. 2-1 after 83 minutes. Town were not beaten yet though and the character the team has showed this season shone through. 3 minutes later and Town were back level. Chris Speight and Chris Wolstencroft worked hard to nick the ball from the Vale left-back and the latter broke quickly before nutmegging a defender. He went round the outside of another, before unleashing a superb angled drive into the top corner. Cue delirium amongst the Town players and bench, who were quick to congratulate Wolstencroft on his sublime effort. Amazingly, with finishing ability like that in his locker, it was the first goal the player has scored for the club. Town weren’t finished yet either and with added time approaching, the Dukes won a free-kick 35 yards out and to the left of the goal. Stockton swung in the cross and James Batty found himself in acres of space to steer the ball into the back of the net to make it 3-2. Town almost added a 4th in the last minute of injury time. Andrew Fletcher looked to latch onto a through ball but the ’keeper came rushing out to the edge of the area. Both players went in for the tackle, but Fletcher excellently hooked the ball from underneath him and from an angle looked to shoot, but his shot could only find Mike Eckersley 8 yards out, but with just a defender on the line to beat, he put his shot into the side netting before the full time whistle sounded. Manager Aaron Ramsbottom added: “I’m pleased with the win and the performance. Even though we weren’t really clinical enough at times, we created plenty of opportunities and controlled the game. The team spirit came into play again and we deserved the win” Man of the Match was Chris Wolstencroft – The full-back / winger really showed his quality with a great performance that should do his confidence the world of good. He capped it with an excellent goal. Line Up: D. Fitton C. Wolstencroft N. Turner P. Leese S. Ryan C. Dyson (A. Fletcher) A. Law M. Eckersley P. Davies (C. Speight) D. Allcock (A. Stockton) J. Batty Due to problems with spam only SalfordOnline members can now leave comments. Becoming a member of SalfordOnline only takes a minute, just hit the red Join Us button at the top right hand side of the page to create your Personal account. Got a news story? Need help with publicity for an event in Salford? Send it to newsdesk@salfordonline.com or call the SalfordOnline newsdesk on 0161 789 5377. |
