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23/03/2019
A game of two halves!
Whaley made the short journey to Poynton in what is probably considered now to be a local derby. Whaley decided to vary the selection and formation in preparation for the JB Parker cup final on Thursday night however play was spasmodic particularly in the first half when the entire visiting midfield, all good footballers, simply couldn’t settle on the ball on a horrible surface that wasn’t in anyway suited to the likes of Gregory and co …. but as they say it’s the same for both sides.
Whaley kicking up the hill offered little in the final third having resorted to the long-ball at just about every opportunity and losing possession just about every time! Accordingly Poynton’s keeper really only had to deal with a few crosses and free kicks under little pressure and that he did comfortably. Give Poynton some credit at this point as they pressed, harassed and on most occasions muscled Whaley off the ball to string some football together across the middle third resulting in a couple of long range efforts which went wide. All in all the first half was poor from a Whaley perspective, a pretty uneventful affair with little to suggest either side could create anything to break the deadlock. However, Sutton did on one occasion break through on the right only to be stopped dead in his tracks just as he was about to pull the trigger; it’s still a mystery as to why the officials didn’t see that as a penalty! Toole was however causing Whaley’s right back lots of problems, beating his man twice he was pulled back for the referee to award a penalty that Mcurrie converted. Jamie Leaning then made an important save just before half time to keep the difference down to just a single goal as Jones and Garvey still winning most of the incoming balls didn’t give Whaley a sniff in front of goal.
The visitors came out for the second half with more purpose and began to create opportunities and string a few passes together with Dwyer going close from 18 yards, a couple of headers from Armstrong and Sutton also going narrowly wide. Whaley were denied another very good penalty shout for handball much to the chagrin of Whaley’s big following contingent on the line. Darryl decided it was time for a change and moved Geo Langford to right back to bring on young O’Donnell down the right giving the team some width with some good footwork and intelligent play. All in all the visitors now started to look the part at last with the front 3 looking a far more potent threat and the midfield keeping possession.
Whaley’s equaliser resulted from confusion as Poynton struggled to clear their lines Leadbetter was tripped Leadbetter for Sutton to make no mistake from the spot. Dwyer then beat two defenders and smashed in from close range to put the visitors ahead 1-2. Dwyer again found space in the opponent’s box, he moved across the line in his trademark type fashion to beat the keeper and a defender to slot the ball in hard and low at the near post 1-3. Whaley were now in full control and were probably guilty of losing concentration when after a good Poynton move down the right Mcurrie controlled a cross brilliantly to volley in from 8 yards; 2-3. Whaley hit back again through Leadbetter who latched on to a through ball before lifting it over the advancing keeper to make it 2-4. The game was over but Poynton scored again with virtually the last kick of the game when Leach tapped in from close range.
If ever there was a game of two halves this was it; the first half was instantly forgettable but the spectators went home having watched a much more entertaining second half with 5 goals in quick succession.
Leaning; Bailey; Sutton (c) (1); Armstrong; Toseland; Gemmell; Gilbride; Langford; Gregory; Dwyer(2); Leadbetter (1)
O’Donnell (60); Drayson (65); Broome not used & not booked
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