Barnestoneworth hands Millthorpe their first defeat

TUSSLE : Millthorpe’s Marty Lyden puts the pressure on Barnestoneworth midfielder Brett Hazzard while Tom Grinter and Steve Fisher watch on.

A single, successful penalty goal was all that split the two sides in Saturday’s round of the Orange over 35s football competition, but it was enough to hand the previously undefeated Millthorpe Tigers their first loss of the season.

Playing at home at in front of a supportive crowd at Millthorpe’s Redmond Oval, the Tigers came up against a determined Barnestoneworth United that are starting to hit their straps as the season moves towards the half way mark.

A finely-balanced match threatened to swing towards Millthorpe when United winger Marty Felice was given his marching orders after a tackle led to some push-and-shove.

But down to ten men, Barnestoneworth defended strongly with Lino Manca, Chris Jacobs and Jason Ingham fending off a series of Tigers raids.

The breakthrough came when United midfielder Brett Hazzard was pulled down in the box, and striker Glenn Harpley stepped up to put the penalty away and take the match 1-0.

A slow start and a series of defensive errors in the first 15 minutes put Gladdyatahs in the box seat in their match against Denley Moor.

Striker Tony Slingsby got off the mark with a neat header from a free kick. He made it two soon after with a strong strike from the top of the 18 yard box. Less than 15 minutes from the kick-off Matt Duffy made it 3-0 after weaving through defenders to score.

Denley kept trying with Richie Shields and Harley Smith combining to worry the keeper, but their shots were sent wide.

Slingsby leapt high over a defender to head the ball away and score his hat-trick for the match. Denley came away with a consolation goal when a Gladdies defender hand-balled right on the goal line and Harley Smith sealed the penalty.

Matt Duffy scored his second in the game’s dying seconds to win the match 5-1.