Millthorpe Tigers deliver gutsy win
UNDER STRENGTH WINNERS : Millthorpe striker Roy Davis tries to get past Denley Moor defender Dave Gibson in Saturday’s match, and winger Nick Hyndes. Davis scored one goal and Tigers winger (at right) Stan Tulevu scored two in the 3-2 win.
The team at the top of the Orange over-35s table, the Millthorpe Tigers showed their class, digging deep with a 3-2 win over Denley Moor in Saturday’s latest round.
Starting with only ten players on the field, compared to Denley’s deep bench of five subs, it was Denley who started optimistically.
But a series of chances were sent wide, and it was the Tigers’ stocky winger Stan Tulevu who scored first after a strong run past the Denley defenders.
A string of Millthorpe attacking raids set Denley back on their heels, before they leveled from a Phil Bennett free kick. Dan Hillier found space to find the back of the net from a strong header.
The Tigers started the second half the better. Stan Tulevu made it two dodging defenders to score, and Roy Davis added to the tally soon after to open up a 3-1 lead.
As legs tired, Denley peppered the Millthorpe goal but couldn’t find a way past keeper Phil Wells.
Hayden Trott cleaned up after a Richie Shields long-range shot to head the ball away and bring the margin back to one, the match finishing with Tigers up 3-2.
Also in over-35s Barnestoneworth United were under-strength for their clash with Gladdyatahs, with a number of players away and the 2 subs on the bench (Dan Kennedy and Dave Stinson) both nursing injuries.
Andy Maguire donned the gloves for the third week in a row, with regular keeper Matt Savaro still away on rep coaching duties.
Gladdy-a-tahs started strong and controlled the ball well in the middle, finding plenty of space down the right hand side. Tony Slingsby managed to sneak one past the United defence to open the scoring for Gladdies.
Gladdyatahs had a few more chances in the first half, but were always wide of the target. Wayne Stephens, continued his strong recent form at the back for United.
United lifted in the second half and managed to control the ball a little better in the middle through deft play from Chris Jacobs and Brett Hazzard to create a few opportunities, but couldn’t sneak one past Gladdies keeper Troy Campbell.
Peter Sharpe was solid in both defence and attack, not giving an inch.
Late in the second half with Gladdy looking set for the win, United midfielder Chris Jacobs was felled inside the box and a penalty was awarded.
Wes Miller stepped up and struck a powerful spot kick past the keeper to level the score.
In the dying minutes of the game, a well taken free kick from David Sandercock found United striker Glenn Harpley in the box. Unfortunately for United, Harpley’s ensuing shot hit the woodwork denying United an unlikely victory. The games finished with 1-1 draw.
In A-grade, third-placed Barnestoneworth United fought out a tough 2-all draw with Waratah Wildcats, showing threatening form from the other end of the table.
A hand ball in the box saw United awarded a penalty in the first half, but Mitch Jacobs pushed the ball over the bar.
Waratahs then hit the lead with a flukey goal mid way through the 1st half. Waratahs player Aaron Apps rebounded a goal kick on the volley from 40 metres out, the ball lobbing over the outstretched hands of United keeper Matt Barr.
United leveled early in the second half thanks to a goal from Luke Massottie. However Waratahs hit the lead again following some confusion from the back three that allowed Waratahs to chip over the keeper to score.
Ibby Yunisia had a great chance to level with a tap-in chance that was sent wide.
Instead Sam Sutton secured the draw with a lovely header late in the game, letting United salvage a 2-2 draw.
