Post by heepsy on Aug 30, 2008 22:53:54 GMT
Town's reserve side travelled back empty-handed from Manchester after surrendering a half-time 2-1 lead.
With enforced changes from Wednesday's win over Eagle, their cause didn't appear to be helped when a car containing 3 players arrived late, meaning that joint-manager Stuart Heeps kicked off the game at centre-half. However, the visitors made a bright start and took the lead early into the game when the referee spotted a handball in the 18 yard box and Rich Williamson coolly sent the keeper the wrong way from the penalty spot. The home side forced their way back into the game with some neat attacking football but were unable to find a way past debutant keeper Chris Davies and some resolute defending. Town nearly extended the lead when Richard Beech crashed a freekick from 20 yards against the bar and fired another effort from 30 yards just wide.
Heeps was replaced on 25 minutes by recognised centre-half Sam Pilley and the Bears continued to defend doggedly whilst Williamson, Harry and Cullen caused problems on the break for the home side. However, a slip on 38 minutes allowed a home forward to spin clear in the box and he neatly fired into the far corner to bring the scores level. This was not to last long, though, as from a Matt Swann free-kick, Beech headed back across goal and Dave Harry fired home from close range.
Unfortunately, the half-time break didn't seem to benefit the visitors as they had a crazy 10 minute spell which saw the home side again draw level, with a penalty then take the lead when some slack marking allowed a strike on goal which was well-saved by Davies only for the loose ball to be pounced on by a Maine Road player to make the score 3-2.
Davies produced a magnificent double save to keep the home side out and then for the final half-hour the Bears regained control of the match and forced their hosts on to the back foot, creating a number of half chances which weren't taken. Subs Lewis Short and Callum Loftus each had chances to score only to see goalbound efforts blocked and Williamson snatched at a late chance before Andy Byrne fired the final opportunity of the game high over the bar.
The performance as a whole was probably the best the Reserves have put on to date and deserved at least a point, with youngster Rich Booth an impressive debutant at right back and Ash Wilson performing excellently in an unusual role at centre-half.
The Reserves are next in action on Saturday 6th Sept at home to Moore United - 3pm kickoff.
With enforced changes from Wednesday's win over Eagle, their cause didn't appear to be helped when a car containing 3 players arrived late, meaning that joint-manager Stuart Heeps kicked off the game at centre-half. However, the visitors made a bright start and took the lead early into the game when the referee spotted a handball in the 18 yard box and Rich Williamson coolly sent the keeper the wrong way from the penalty spot. The home side forced their way back into the game with some neat attacking football but were unable to find a way past debutant keeper Chris Davies and some resolute defending. Town nearly extended the lead when Richard Beech crashed a freekick from 20 yards against the bar and fired another effort from 30 yards just wide.
Heeps was replaced on 25 minutes by recognised centre-half Sam Pilley and the Bears continued to defend doggedly whilst Williamson, Harry and Cullen caused problems on the break for the home side. However, a slip on 38 minutes allowed a home forward to spin clear in the box and he neatly fired into the far corner to bring the scores level. This was not to last long, though, as from a Matt Swann free-kick, Beech headed back across goal and Dave Harry fired home from close range.
Unfortunately, the half-time break didn't seem to benefit the visitors as they had a crazy 10 minute spell which saw the home side again draw level, with a penalty then take the lead when some slack marking allowed a strike on goal which was well-saved by Davies only for the loose ball to be pounced on by a Maine Road player to make the score 3-2.
Davies produced a magnificent double save to keep the home side out and then for the final half-hour the Bears regained control of the match and forced their hosts on to the back foot, creating a number of half chances which weren't taken. Subs Lewis Short and Callum Loftus each had chances to score only to see goalbound efforts blocked and Williamson snatched at a late chance before Andy Byrne fired the final opportunity of the game high over the bar.
The performance as a whole was probably the best the Reserves have put on to date and deserved at least a point, with youngster Rich Booth an impressive debutant at right back and Ash Wilson performing excellently in an unusual role at centre-half.
The Reserves are next in action on Saturday 6th Sept at home to Moore United - 3pm kickoff.