FOOTBALL: Ten-man Woodhall Spa United defeated at Fosdyke

Taylors Peugeot Division One

A scruffy and scrappy affair at Fosdyke saw the home side claim all three points against a determined Woodhall Spa United.

The beautiful game it was not and the first 45 minutes were notable for just two things – a visiting defender was given his marching orders and the Woodhall striker scored an absolutely fantastic goal. Watching a long ball drop over his shoulder, the target man hit the sweetest of volleys that ricocheted off the inside of the near post and settled in the net.

Fortunately the second half proved to be a livelier affair and Fosdyke pushed home their numerical advantage. Skipper Luke Smith rose above a pack of players to nod home an equaliser and, a minute later, new signing Alex Marulli De Barletta surged through the United defence to round the keeper and poke the ball in to an empty net.

Fosdyke looked to increase the lead which didn’t take long. De Barletta was again at the centre of things with another determined run that ended with him being upended and a spot kick was awarded, and up stepped Matthew Bates. The Woodhall keeper managed a great save to keep the strike out but much to his despair, and Fosdyke’s relief, the referee insisted on a retake as a visiting defender had encroached before the kick was taken.

Not one to turn down a second chance, the next penalty was despatched successfully and a two goal cushion opened up.

Woodhall did snatch a very late goal to set up a nervy finale, and Ian Jack Smith was on hand to pull off a great save, but Fosyke saw out the game and clinched the points.

Taylors Ford Division two

The big clash of the day in Division Two saw AFC Tetford come out on top of their home encounter against Sibsey.

Eighteen-year old Nathan Wright was Tetford’s hero on the day, striking a hat-trick, while Callum Cheetham also got on the scoresheet.

Coningsby Reserves had a fine 3-2 away win at Eastern European FC with goals from Sean Taylor, Jamie Todd and Mitchell Ablard. The home side went close to salvaging some reward with goals from Tomas Ragelis and Piotr Puchala.

Mareham United were minus four key players for their home game against Pointon Reserves, and they fell to a 3-0 defeat.

The basement side did have a couple of decent chances in the second half but they failed to find the net and Pointon ran out comfortable winners with goals from Shane George, Chris Barnes and Tom Wickens.