Abbey Lane 0 Wickersley Youth 2

[chris@tmseurope.co.u]

22nd February 2009
Abbey Lane 0 Wickersley Youth 2

After a 4 week lay-off due to the inclement weather, Abbey Lane were able to play a home league tie against Wickersley. This fixture marked the half way stage of the league program with Abbey Lane sitting second to bottom with only 2 wins for the season and 3 goals in the last 5 fixtures.

The ground was heavy but playable, the surface showing signs of the previous day’s fixture. Abbey Lane were without the injured Ash Milnes and the continuous foot injury to Chris Davis Smith preventing his return. Oliver Ledger and Sam beech were named substitutes and Richard Hirst returned to centre midfield with Sean Froggatt moving to centre back to partner Geroge Morfitt.

The first half began competitively with few chances for both sides, the conditions didn’t help the football but two contrasting styles were on display with Wickersley opting for a more direct style which was supported by a dangerous long throw and Abbey Lane playing the football. However, the first two half chances fell to Wickersley but both were squandered. Abbey Lane always looked threatening but the Wickersley goalkeeper was never called to make a save in a first half. Wickersley took the lead when their forward managed to beat the offside trap and side foot the ball passed Chris Marshall. Half Time came with Abbey Lane trailing 1-0. Oliver Ledger replaced Cole Priestley in the only change to the line up for the second half.

During the second half the game continued to close with both failing to create a clear shot on goal. Sam Beech replaced Chris Howe at left back and Cole Priestley replaced Ben Pond. Wickersley went 2-0 up when their forward scored his second goal of the game after a scramble in the Abbey Lane penalty area.

Abbey Lane continued to press and what would have been Liam Pashley’s first goal of the season was denied when the referee was unable to see Liam’s corner curl over the goal line at the near post before the goalkeeper cleared the ball.

For the remainder of the game Abbey Lane never gave up and continued to press forward looking to pull them-selves back into the game. The game ended 2-0 to Wickersley and Abbey Lanes luck continues to be absent, the team deserved at least a draw from this game, an assessment agreed with by the Wickersley’s Manager.

Another defeat leaves the team rooted in the bottom three, but with only half the season played there remains an opportunity to put a run of results together to pull the team up the table.