Clash . . .
Dunston Fed 1 – 2 Tow Law - 23rd February 2008
Clash @ Dunston Fed
Match Report By Mr Dave O’Neil
Fed somehow managed to grasp defeat from the jaws of victory today at Fed Park. Fed kicked towards the car park in the first half and were quickly on top – although having a lot of possession did not create a clear chance early on. After 9 minutes though Pickering got to the goal line and crossed over the Tow Law defence where Dixon had the easiest of knock-ins to give Fed the lead. 4 minutes later Laws got into a good position inside the area but his volley on the turn was straight down the throat of Norton in the visitors’ goal. Fed could have doubled their lead after 25 when some good work from Laws/Harkin on the right resulted in Devine getting in a header at the far post which hit the crossbar and was cleared to safety. Tow Law hit straight back and ex Fed hit-man Alex Benjamin hit just wide from 22 yards. Fed had the advantage of the wind in the first half but despite Tow Law being out of the game for the first half they almost levelled matters after 43 when O’Bern got in a saving tackle when Teesdale looked in a good position to score. The following corner resulted in Hollingsworth heading well over. Fed had dominated the half but their inability to add to their lead was to prove important.
The second half was a dour affair – equal for the first 20/25 minutes with the visitors taking over for the final quarter. After 53 Cattenach went on a great run on the right, leaving two defenders for dead but his cross came to nothing. The game was even but Fed were creating the better chances and after 58 Fergal Harkin turned Hollingsworth inside out before hitting into the side netting. After 65 it was Harkin again who beat the offside trap and tried an ambitious 35 yard chip but with the windy conditions was never likely to succeed. At this stage there seemed to be only one winner but the final quarter of the game belonged to the visitors. Teesdale tried an ambitious 30 yard effort for Tow Law which wasn’t far off target. With 76 on the clock Laws seemed to be in a good position for a shot but chose to seek out Devine and his pass was cut out. Fed were on the back foot for the final 10 and in the 83rd minute the visitors were awarded a free kick which was laid off to Benjamin whose shot from 22 yards swerved away from the keeper but “clatted the post”. Fed were now looking unsteady and after 87 Tow Law were awarded a free-kick in a dangerous looking position which Benjamin hit just over. Tow Law piled on the pressure and in an eventful last 90 seconds they forced two successive corners – the second of which appeared to have been cleared but fell to McGuire who, from 25 yards out, hit a perfect shot into the bottom left corner. Within 40 seconds of the restart the ball fell to Eccles (Not Eckles – private joke) who perfectly executed a side foot into the corner and somehow Tow Law had snatched a win.
No denials I was gutted at this result – to be fair when TLT equalised I said they deserved it – but for them to go and win it was daylight robbery. Fed were poor second half and to be fair to Tow Law they clung on to whatever hope they had and took it big style.
Fed: Clark, Cattenach, Burns, Robson, O’Bern, Dixon, Harkin, Laws, Devine, Young, Pickering (subs Dunn, Ludlow, Swanston, Campbell, Pattinson)
TLT: Norton, Dixon, Hollingsworth, Hutt, Langthorne, Mudd, McGuire, Renshaw, Benjamin, Teesdale, Eccles (subs Bell, Allen, Maughan, Shields, Wilkinson)
Stats: Fed 8 TL 15; On Target Fed 3 TL 6; Corners Fed 0 TL 5 Fouls committed Fed 11 TL 10 Offside Fed 8 TL 0
Fed up News Man of the Match - Harkin
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