**FROLESWORTH UNITED 4-2 AFC HURRICANES**
FROLESWORTH UNITED put their opening day disappointment behind them and won their first game of the season in an ill tempered affair at the Warren, having been forced to play the closing stages with just 10 men.
A goal in each half from Jake Pantony ensured Ben Harris’ side put their first points on the board, after having to wait 17 matches to do so last season.
Eddie Glaister returned from illness to make his league debut for the Rabbits and gave his side an early lead to settle their nerves, prodding home a Pantony cross after Matt Errington had taken an intelligent quick free kick.
Front man Joe Cook then nearly added a second moments later when he went through one-on-one, but Pantony’s wizardry came to the fore again soon after to double United’s advantage.
He played another quick free kick to release Greg Garner on the right hand side, and the pacy youngster’s drilled cross was turned into the net for an own goal.
Cook’s misfortune would continue after his left-footed drive was harshly ruled out for handball, before another glimpse of Pantony’s magic thrilled the home crowd once again.
He picked the ball up from Matt Pell midway inside his own half, before he jinked past three defenders and elegantly slotted home with his weaker foot.
Industrious midfielder Glasiter and debutant Adam Tester then picked up a booking for a lunge and an over-zealous challenge respectively just shy of the break, whilst Harris remained cautious in the dressing room following last week’s dramatic capitulation.
But it was the visitors who struck first to throw Harris’ team talk out of the window inside ten second half minutes, and the hosts were in disarray again five minutes later when Glaister was harshly dismissed following a fracas after Sam Putnam was scythed down.
Harris introduced Martin Fennon in midfield and Sam Palmer as the lone striker, but the pair could not prevent Hurricanes from adding a second, prompting an on-field inquest from the players in claret after some sloppy back post defending.
Frolesworth, however, remained calm under the stewardship of Harris and resisted another seemingly inevitable collapse.
Substitute Martin Fennon would ultimately prove the difference after he exchanged a one-two with Cook, before pulling back for the onrushing Pantony to effortlessly stroke home his second and ensure the points would remain at LE17.
The visitors were visibly frustrated and after Matt Errington picked up a booking, they were themselves reduced to 10 following a desperate lunge on Fennon.
The full time whistle was greeted with aplomb and after finally keeping their noses in front, Frolesworth appear to have turned a corner and will relish their next trip away at Steve Walsh’s new boys White Lion.
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