Wendron 1 Foxhole 2

[Darin Morse]

Wendron 1 Foxhole 2

Saturday 12th April 2008

Foxhole maintained their impressive recent form with another spirited display and, although they were relieved to see Hobbs blast over a hotly-disputed last-ditch penalty, anything other than a victory would have been unjust as they withstood early pressure to dominate the second-half and wasted numerous opportunities.

Playing against the strong wind and occasional hail showers in the first half, Foxhole took time to settle and were indebted to stand-in keeper Bromley's fine save from Johnstone on seven minutes. While Hill's shot on the run was deflected wide, Wendron continued to look the more threatening and Rowe had to clear Searle's effort off the line before, on 22, Johnstone nodded in Maclean's deep cross at the far post, with Bromley nowhere.

Gradually, though, the visiting defence got to grips with an attack soon missing the withdrawn Bartlett and, with Panter and Holland combative and Nicholls showing some nice touches, the Foxes began to attack with purpose. Rickard saw one effort fly just wide before equalising on 33 after being released by Grose, the early shot deceiving Scoffin at the near post.

The game should have been wrapped up within 20 minutes of the restart. Nicholls' close range header was safely gathered, Panter's drive flew narrowly past an upright, Hill was denied by Scoffin while the elusive Rickard was proving far too hot for the pedestrian home rearguard to handle and went close on at least four occasions. Wendron were chasing shadows and it all got too much for Shaughnessy who, after being harshly booked for dissent very early on, somehow avoided an early bath after a wild kick at the prostrate Hill.

With three minutes left, it looked as if Wendron would hold on for an unlikely point until Camps set up Holland, recently booked for a foul on Maclean, to thunder home left-footed from 25 yards. With nothing to lose, Wendron charged forward and were handed a lifeline with only moments to go. Referee McCaffrey, whose performance after a good first half was deteriorating by the second, missed a blatant handball by Hodson on the halfway line, before amazingly adjudging Rowe had handled Newbury's fierce drive into a crowded box. Hobbs' woeful spot-kick at least ensured justice was done.

Foxhole (4-4-2): Adam Bromley 6; David Grose 7, Richard Fairclough 6, Mark Rowe 8, Jeff Dillon 7; Scott Hill 6 (sub. Matt May 5), Jason Warne 6, Steve Panter 7 (sub. Tom Woodley 7), Adam Holland 7; Carl Rickard 7, Liam Nicholls 7 (sub. Gary Camps 6).

Wendron (4-4-2): Bryan Scoffin; Jeff Till, Pete Maclean, Mike Newbury, Steve Hodson; Sean Johnstone, Justin Searle, Bret Andrew, Pat Shaughnessy; Matt McIlroy, Tom Bartlett (sub. Greg Hobbs).

Referee: Mr Jim McCaffrey (Launceston) 6.