What a difference from last weekend when the match had to be postponed because of a waterlogged pitch and driving snow. The weather was bright and sunny a wind was blowing up the slope but the pitch was in a fair condition.
Tenth Lock gave a debut to new signing (goalkeeper) Scott Newman and got off to the best possible start going down the slope and had a goal onto the score sheet inside 3 minutes when a team move saw MOM Dannie Phillips put through James McAlister 0 – 1. Tenth Lock had most of the play for the next 15 minutes but a corner on 19 minutes saw Malt shovel striker rise in the box unchallenged and bury the ball in the back of the net 1 - 1. Not set back by this Tenth Lock went back on the offensive and a brilliant linkup between Dannie Phillips and Craig Hunt saw Craig Hunt restore the lead on 21 minutes 1 – 2. It was all Tenth Lock now creating chance after chance but it took another 10 minutes before James McAlister replayed 3rd minute assist to Dannie Phillips who buried the ball in the next on 31 minutes 1 – 3. Before Malt Shovel had time to get their breath back a brilliant speedy move between Craig Hunt and James McAlister split the Malt Shovel defence wide open and Macca got his second on 33 minutes 1 - 4. Tenth Lock were now controlling the game but with 2 minutes to go to half time a breakdown in the Tenth Defence failing to clear the ball allowed Malt Shovel back into the game 2 – 4 gainst the run of play.
HALF TIME 2 – 4
The second half saw Tenth Lock change their formation to defend the hill but this worked into the hands of Malt Shovel who scored on 51 minutes 3 – 4. Tenth Lock reverted back to their 4 4 2 formation and started to settle the very tense game down. James Alliband was replaced by Michael Wood on 60 minutes and on 67 minutes Matthew Morton was forced to be replaced by Haydon Baker after a high tackle left him with an ankle injury. The match was now moving more and more towards Malt shovel as the Tenth Lock Defence and mid field stared to tire and run out of steam. It was all Malt Shovel now with only the odd offensive push from Tenth Lock and eventually the Tenths Lock defence was beaten again on 79 minutes4 – 4. It was a nervous last 5 minutes with both teams trying for the winner that was not to come and after the final whistle blew it was a great pleasure to see the way that the Malt Shovel Players shook hands with the Tenth Lock Player and the compliments that were given. This was a brilliant all round performance from all the Tenth Lock players WELL DONE.
FULL TIME 4 - 4
Next Match Sunday 18th March at home against Village Dudley Kick Off 10.30am in the league.
