17/11/2018

Whaley throw it away in last minute!

Inexplicably the home side seemed more and more intent on bickering amongst themselves and with the officials (someone in the crowd commented that it sounded like a ‘kit’ of pigeons barking) to the extent that ultimately they lost concentration in the final stages of a second half they had up until then dominated throughout. In the end it resulted in a last minute penalty for a push following a corner to level the scores but it certainly wasn’t a fair reflection of the game and Whaley subsequently lost the chance of all 3 points that would have seen them move up to mid table along with today’s opponents Greenalls Padgate.

Captain Bill Sutton failed a pre-match fitness test and with Toseland unavailable Broome formed a fresh partnership with Kay at the back. With last week’s goal grabber Leadbetter also missing, Dwolitka out through injury and occasional stand-in striker Sutton sidelined it was down to young O’Donnell to lead the line with new boy David Dodds out wide left.

A flat first half was a fairly even affair that didn’t really didn’t do much to warm the spectators up on a cold windy day and although Greenalls played some controlled football they never really created much in the last third. Whaley, with yet another enforced changed line-up, took time to settle but did eventually take the lead when the tricky left winger Dunn broke the deadlock; turning in the area he slotted home to put Whaley one up on 25 minutes. 5 minutes later and the home side conceded an unnecessary corner; the ball was cleared but was then fired straight back in hard and low through a crowded area to give Tattersall no chance in his left hand corner; 1 -1.

Now playing towards the Taxal end Whaley created numerous chances in the second half. A footballing midfield took control and worked the ball out to Dunn and O’Donnell on the flanks to fire in some great crosses creating chances that unfortunately went a begging with no recognised centre forward there to attack the ball although Gregory did his best to get into the box at every opportunity. Dunn did get on the end of one cross from his opposite number, and took a whack from the keeper in the process that finished his game, but unfortunately the ball just went the wrong side of the post. Anyway not before time Whaley took the lead; Gregory putting the home side ahead via the penalty spot subsequent to a hand-ball.

Connell replaced the injured Dodd and worked some neat football up the line with O’Donnell and right back Bailey. Bainbridge also made his debut on the left and worked hard to retain the ball but wasn’t helped by the general slump in concentration in the last quarter.

So after taking control and playing some good possession stuff Whaley somehow then stopped doing the right things and for no particular reason, in a game that wasn’t physical, managed to throw away what should have been a comfortable win.

Tattersall; Bailey; Kay; Broome; Gemmell; Drayson; Langford; Gregory; Gilbride; Dunn; O’Donnell

Bainbridge; Connell; Sutton