Atherstone Town 1 Willenhall Town 1
Willenhall failed to beat this much improved Atherstone side in agames of two
halves, Willenhall completely dominated the first & Atherstone "With a Little
Bit of Help From Their Friend" had a large majority of possession in the
second half.
Willenhall in their stunning all Navy kit, had to make changes to their side,
with the lethal Abi Riley having to settle for a place on the bench due to her
illness. Without manager Kim Lunn, who was recovering at home after as recent
operation, Scott Turner took charge of the side.
Lizzie Plant moved into the left side of midfield & Jo Byrne played up front
as a makeshift striker, with Lindsay Clews returning to left back.
Willenhall started the game well and in the 2nd minute Lesley White left the
defence for dead, then as the Adders keeper fell over she dragged her shot
wide of the far post.
On 13 minutes Lesley got herself in another good position, but was again
wasteful with her finish.
Willenhall then piled on the pressure on the Adders defence & on 25 minutes Jo
Byrne forced the home keeper to make a save.
On 27 minutes the tantalizing Tracey Culloty fired narrowly wide & a minute
later Jo Byrne again missed the target when she should have scored.
Just before half-time Lesley White thought she had broke the deadlock, but saw
her shot saved by the keeper.
The second half was delayed for a few minutes as Lauren Jones removed some dog
mess of the pitch & when it got under way Willenhall could have found
themselves 3~0 down in the opening 5 minutes of the half, as the Adders put us
on the back foot. The best effort of the three rebounded off the post & to
safety.
The Adders continued to pile on the pressure & although they could not find a
way through the Willenhall defence they had some very favourable decisions go
their way.
Willenhall had to respond & the very ill Abi Riley was introduced for the last
30 minutes replacing Lizzie Plant. She gave us that extra zip upfront & on 73
minutes she slotted her 32nd goal of the season after her inital effort was
blocked by the keeper.
This seemed to upset the man in the middle & he immediately pointed for a
free-kick to Atherstone, although, the Adders player fell over the ball & then
kicked Stacey Parkes in the process, much to the anger of the visiting
contingent.
The Adders hit the free-kick high over the wall & the ball sailed over Farleys
head into the top corner, while she was busy directing the aeroplanes with her
hand signals.
Willenhall threw everthing at the home side & introduced Tara Martin to
replace Tracey Culloty on 85 minutes who had cut her arm.
Willenhall pushed Lauren Jones up front as they desperately searched for a
winner, but in the end had to settle for a draw & rue all those missed chances
in the first half.
More controversy followed after the game as he informed the visitors that he
was giving Jo Byrne a red card for her comments about his diabolical
performance.
LINE-UP
Kelly (Farley) Nicholas, Stacey Parkes, Lindsay Clews, SherryLee Boon, Lauren
Jones (c), Rachel Kinsis, Tracey Culloty, Leila Hopkins, Jo Byrne, Lesley
White.
Subs:- Abi Riley(60 mins Plant), Tara Martin(85 mins Culloty), Toni Parkes
NO Star Red Award Given