This ended up being a very hard fought contest played by 2 teams who were determined to try and win until the end and made for a great dress rehearsal for next week’s cup winner’s cup semi-final. Speaking as the Sacriston manager I would say Kelloe kept the ball better than any other team I have seen on a Sunday morning and as a result I can’t praise my own players enough for the sheer effort and determination they showed to make things difficult for them.
Kelloe had long periods of possession but we were well disciplined defensively throughout and the only goal Kelloe did score in the game came from a long range shot from outside of the box. Although Sacriston didn’t have much possession when we did have it we moved the ball quickly and created several good chances to score ourselves and for this alone I feel we more than deserved a point.
Now to the action and Kelloe kept the ball well for the first 15 minutes and played the majority of the football in the Sacriston half without really creating a chance. Then with our first real attack we played our way out of defence from the right to the centre where Graeme Embleton chipped a superb pass over the top to the on running Anthony Ward who did well to get the ball under control with his first touch before brilliantly lifting the ball over the Kelloe keeper to find the net with a superb finish.
Sean Gregory replaced the injured Chris Wood on 22 minutes for Sacriston.
This galvanized Sacriston and we had a good spell for 5 minutes after we scored but for the rest of the first half Kelloe continued to dominate possession but couldn’t create any real clear cut chances and were often forced into shooting from long range. Then on the stroke of half time a cross from the right hand side came into the Sacriston box where the Kelloe forward Ward finally got free but his header was well saved by Potts in the Sacriston goal.
The start of the 2nd half continued in much the same way and on 50 minutes Kelloe were awarded a free kick when O’Brien fouled Ward 30 yards out from the Sacriston goal. The free kick was taken quickly and Ward let fly with a shot which cannoned off the cross bar and then hit the back of Potts in the Sacriston goal and went into the net.
The goal even though it was a little lucky in all truth had been on the cards and Kelloe turned up the heat for the next 10 minutes. They kept probing and passing the ball and put plenty of crosses into the box but we defended superbly and apart from going really close on 55 minutes by hitting the cross bar we weathered the storm well.
Greg Coates replaced Ryan Grayson for the last half hour and he gave the team a new dimension with his direct running and gave the team a much needed outlet.
Although Kelloe still had the majority of the play Sacriston did start to look dangerous on the counter attack and Kelloe by now were playing a very high line and were pushing men forward from everywhere in the search of the winning goal. Potts was forced into fine saves at times in the Sacriston goal and he did well in relieving some pressure by claiming some crosses and punching the ball clear.
Kelloe came close again after some frenzied activity in and around the penalty box resulted in them hitting the post on 82 minutes.
James Thornton replaced Anthony Ward for Sacriston on 70 minutes to give him a rest after he had ran his socks off for the team with Draper going up front with Coates. Thornton was involved in both boxes in the closing stages he made several crucial defensive headers and clearances on the edge of his own box and on 84 minutes he had the chance to give us the lead when we broke away on the counter attack and the ball came to him just inside the box but his shot went just over the bar.
This came in the middle of our best period in the 2nd half after having soaked up so much pressure we were now looking for the winner. Greg Coates got away from the Kelloe defence twice on 80 & 83 minutes but had his shots saved by the Kelloe keeper.
Following a poor clearance from a Sacriston corner on 87 minutes the ball fell to Sean Gregory who had the chance to shoot on the half volley from 15 yards out but he put his shot over the bar. Kelloe were awarded several debatable free kicks in the closing stages and at times on the side lines and on the pitch seemed to successfully intimidate the referee into making these calls which put us under unnecessary pressure but after 4 minutes & 30 seconds of injury time the final whistle was blown and the game ended in an honourable 1-1 draw.
Marc Bladen was back to his brilliant best in defence for Sacriston today and he hardly put a foot wrong all game. Danny O’Brien stuck to his guns well all game against Ward who was the main threat on the day for Kelloe. Quinn and Boyd did well in the wing back roles and Frazer did a good job at sweeper.
Overall I am pleased with a point against a side as good as Kelloe and we showed again we can compete with these teams. Well done lads can’t wait for next week!
