Handley Wood 3 Abbey Lane 0.

[chris@tmseurope.co.u]

31st March 2009
Handley Wood 3 Abbey Lane 0

The first of five mid-week games within the next two weeks, an away fixture against high flying Handley Wood. Abbey Lane have a good away record against Handley Wood and another victory was needed today to prevent a tenth consecutive defeat. Abbey Lane had the luxury of a substitute for this evening’s game with the return of Chris Davis-Smith who started as substitute after missing all games since 19th October 2008. Chris Howe deputised in goal with Chris Marshall still recovering from glandular fever. Sean Froggatt was missing but Liam Pashley was able to play after his ankle injury. Ben Pond returned to his central midfield role with Richard Hirst reverting back to central defence.

As usual the game started very competitively without any side creating too many goal scoring opportunities. Handley Wood were proving to be resolute at the back and looked dangerous on the break but Abbey Lane were competing well and playing well down both flanks. However it was Handley Wood who took the lead when a speculative shot from midway into the Abbey Lane half flew over Chris Howe to give the home side a 1-0 lead. Abbey Lane continued to press for the equaliser and a cross from Liam Pashley on the right wing into the Handley Wood penalty area just missed the head of Oliver Ledger. Half time came and Abbey Lane found themselves 1-0 down but were more than a match for this very well organised Handley Wood team.

The second half saw Abbey Lane put pressure on the Handley Wood defence and the scores should have been level when Ashden Morely hit the cross bar with a header from a Liam Pashley corner. Chris Davis-Smith came on for Cole Priestley to make his long awaited return to outfield play.

This wakeup call sprung Handley Wood into action and after a very dubious decision by the referee when he penalised Ashden Morely for a foul just outside the penalty area. After booking both Ashden and Brad Gledill for dissent the resulting free kick found an unmarked Handley Wood player at the back post who put the visitors 2-0 up. The home team extended their lead to 3-0 when a cross into the Abbey Lane penalty area which saw another unmarked player head home.

Abbey Lane never gave up and half chances for Cole Priestley and Oliver Ledger were eventually stifled by the Handley Wood defence. The game ended 3-0, a score line which flattered the home team but yet again a dubious decision by a home team referee saw a luckless Abbey Lane penalised again.

This was another fine effort from Abbey Lane against a very good side but lady luck has deserted the side at present and circumstances are very much against the team at present.