Western started slow today and allowed Grapes into their half for the first 15 minutes. They eventually got their heads on the game and started playing some good football. They used the flanks well, and spread the ball across the pitch well. Western made a good move, and some one twos led to Craig James getting through on goal and he hit it on the half volley and put it past the keeper. The ref gave the goal but the linesmans flag went up and the ref consulted him and ruled the play offside. This was very unlucky for Western who felt the goal clearly should have stood. Western were not happy at this and it drove them forward more. Craig James picked up on a through ball and showed great skill to beat two defenders and get in front of goal, only for the defender to blatantly kick his legs from behind with no intent for the ball this caused James to stumble and couldnt get a clear shot on goal, the ball went out off the keeper and surely this meant it had to be a penalty, but the ref said corner ball. Once again poor refereeing meant the score was still 0 - 0. Western kept tight for the remainder of the half and Grapes tried a few long balls but didnt threaten the Western goal. The second half kicked off and Western continued to be the team on top. They didnt have many chances on goal but held the possession well, whilst Grapes kept trying the killer ball to often and the Western defence handled it well. After a few good chances to take the lead in the first half, Western didnt fail on the next attempt. Scott Brownridge carried the ball upfield and played a great throughball to Paul Marson who beat the defender and directed it round the goalkeeper. 1 - 0. Western started to defend a little to much now in hope to see the game out, but there was too much time left for this so a few subs were made. Rob Zeleski was one of these subs and with one of his first touches he scored a headed goal, from a good delivery from Shaun Cope. Western took this opportunity to hit Grapes while they were down and a good run down the Wing from Lee Fellows, followed by a drilled cross some how beat all the defenders and Paul Marson found himself 6 yards out with all the time in the world. 3 - 0 to Western. Western went alot more defensive now and soaked up the pressure quite well. They Kept Grapes quiet high up the pitch and forced them to make deep crosses. Rob Taylor had made some great saves in todays game and was unfortunate when he challenged one of these crosses in the air and the ref saw it as a foul and awarded a penalty to Grapes. A well taken penalty saw Grapes get one back, but it was too little to late and just a cosolation goal, as Western took the 3 points today. Very strong performance today and the work rate was second to none.
