New Bradwell St Peter (0) 0 Langford (0) 1

The Molten Spartan South Midlands League, Challenge Trophy, 12.09.2006

Patterson puts Reds through

A rest from League action for the Reds as they started their attempt to progress in the SSML Challenge Trophy began with a visit to First Division side New Bradwell St Peter.

Despite the difference in Divisions this game was one of entertaining football and could easily have produced a hatful of goals in a exciting first half with plenty of goal mouth action at either end. Joe Delasalle nearly gave the Reds an early opener but his header was wide from the corner. The home showed tenacity and Lee Colter forced his way into the area but his final left footed was wide. Mark Barnes pace has proved a problem to many of Langford’s opponents this and tonight was no exception as he produced a couple of good efforts that forced “Peters” keeper Neil Walton into a good save and being only just wide with his second. Langford were tested again as Gary Burgess fired a screamer across the face of the Eely’s goal and wide. As the half continued the chances continued to mount with John Coley finally beating keeper Walton with a chipped effort but unfortunately for the visitors the effort rolled agonisingly wide of the post. The same fate for Mark Barnes header following Adam Pitcairn’s cross. New Bradwell were reduced to ten during the half as John Mulholland was spoken to by the referee regarding a deliberate hand ball inside the visitors’ penalty box and was then dismissed for what appeared to trying to get the last word in as he walked away!

The second half saw the ten men of New Bradwell come closest to breaking the deadlock when Gary Burgess hit the upright only to see the ball rebound to safety. Langford began to ring the changes introducing Wes Byrne for John Coley and Kevin Patterson for Joe Delasalle (hamstring tweak). An Adam Pitcairn cross caused Walton some problems but he recovered to push the ball over for a corner. The introduction of Robert Groves for Lee Pateman saw Langford begin to gain the upper hand and it was from his corner that Kevin Patterson was able to steer the ball past Walton for the decisive strike. Jim Bywater and Wesley Byrne came close to extending the lead before the final whistle but New Bradwell will feel unlucky not to have taken their Premier Division visitors to extra time and possibly beyond.

 
The Reds progressed into the next round where they will face Division One opposition once again with an away match at Sun Postal Sports.

 
On the road again next Saturday as Reds visit St Margaretsbury in a seventh successive away League game. The visit to Colney Heath for a Premier Division Cup tie scheduled for Tuesday the 19/9 has been postponed due to the home team commitments in the F.A. Vase. No new date has so far been arranged.

Fact File

Langford;

Dan Eely; Shayne Willett; Dave Drury; Dorian Small; Joe Delasalle (Kevin Patterson); Gareth Grant; Adam Pitcairn; Lee Pateman (Robert Groves); John Coley (Wesley Byrne); Marc Barnes; Jim Bywater

SUBS NOT USED; none

New Bradwell St Peter;

TBA;

SUBS NOT USED; TBA,

GOALS

Langford; Kevin Patterson (86)

New Bradwell St Peter; None