Report

Wakefield had a glorious chance to equalise on 67 minutes when Marchant turned well to beat two defenders but was denied by Bradford goalkeeper Jon Worsnop in a one on one situation.

Bradford then seemingly put the game beyond Wakefield's reach four minutes later when Chris Gaghan converted a low cross at the far post.

Wakefield tried hard to find a response and Chris Howarth was denied by a good stop from Jon Worsnop on 73 minutes. The home side did pull a goal back two minutes from time when Marchant was on hand to slot home Chris Howarth's driven ball into the penalty area, but they could not find an equaliser despite sustained pressure during four minutes of added time.

Result: Wakefield 2 - 3 Bradford PA

Wakefield FC man of the match: Graham Marchant.

Attendance: 141.

Referee: A P Morbin.

Assistant Referees: P McDean, S Waddington.

Wakefield: Woods A, Normaschild, Turner, Ryder, Milnes, Laight, Nicholson, Sobers, Marchant, Howarth, Ferguson
Subs: Stevenson (for Normaschild), MacQuarrie (nu), Denton (for Ryder)

Bradford PA: Worsnop, Hockenhull, Collins, Baker, Adams, Daly, Gaghan, Connors, Moseley, Gedman, Lee
Subs: Clegg (for Gaghan), Jones (for Moseley), Brown (nu)

Wakefield first threatened inside ten minutes when good work by Delroy Ferguson put Graham Marchant in on goal. The Wakefield striker tried to round Garforth goalkeeper Karl Spratt, but Spratt just got a finger to the ball to divert against Marchant and out for a corner.

On 17 minutes a great cross by Will Ryder was met by the head of Chris Howarth at the far post but the ball flew wide and on 25 minutes Jay Sobers' curling free kick was tipped over by Spratt at full stretch.

Marchant's shot on the turn was just off target and Howarth fired straight at Spratt after jinking past half of the Garforth players as Wakefield finished the first half well on top.

Wakefield took a deserved lead with 15 minutes remaining. Ferguson battled well in midfield to retain possession before sending Marchant clear with a well weighted pass. Marchant's initial effort was well saved by Spratt, but the rebound went straight back to the Wakefield frontman who slotted the ball home.

Three minutes later it was 2-0 as Ferguson beat Spratt in a race to the ball before rounding the Garforth goalkeeper and slotting the ball into the unguarded net.

Wakefield almost scored a third in the last minute but Declan Normaschild's low drive was beaten away by Spratt.

Result: Garforth Town 0 - 2 Wakefield

Wakefield FC man of the match: Delroy Ferguson.

Attendance: 135.

Referee: R T Hewitt.

Assistant Referees: M Beverley, L W M Smith.

Wakefield: Woods A, Normaschild, Turner, Ryder, Milnes, Laight, Nicholson, Sobers, Marchant, Howarth, Ferguson, 
Subs: Stevenson (for Sobers), MacQuarrie (for Ryder), Denton (for Ferguson)

Garforth Town: Spratt, Turner, Brown, Kamara N, Small, Kamara C, Muddell, Williams G, Renshaw, Piper, Williams D
Subs: St Juste (for Piper), Simpkins (for Williams G), Clarke (nu)

Wakefield started the game without Demi Kyriacou who missed the game through injury. Declan Normaschild also missed out as he served a one match suspension. Bobby Stevenson got through a late fitness test but could only make the substitutes' bench.

Wakefield enjoyed the better of the possession in the first half and deservedly took the lead on 37 minutes when Delroy Ferguson's low drive struck Graham Marchant to wrong foot Woodley goalkeeper Liam Higginbotham and nestle in the bottom corner.

Woodley came straight out in the second half in a determined fashion and Danny Stubberfield did well to get the better of Craig Laight two minutes into the half but could only find the side netting.

Wakefield took control of the game once more and doubled their advantage on 59 minutes when Ferguson beat Higginbotham in a race to the ball to chip it over the Woodley goalkeeper and into the unguarded net.

The lively Ferguson almost made it three just four minutes later but his curling effort from 20 yards struck the post.

The closest Woodley came to pulling a goal back was when a corner flicked off the head of Marchant and hit the inside of the far post before been cleared.

But it was Wakefield who always looked more like scoring a third goal. In injury time s superb passing move ended with Marchant's low cross finding substitute Tom Denton but his near post effort flew wide.

Result: Wakefield 2 - 0 Woodley Sports

Wakefield FC man of the match: Delroy Ferguson.

Attendance: 65.

Referee: J Hermuzi.

Assistant Referees: W Cooper, M Charnock.

Wakefield: Woods A, Nicholson, Agus, Ryder, Milnes, Laight, Mumbly, Sobers, Marchant, Howarth, Ferguson
Subs: Stevenson (for Ryder), MacQuarrie (for Mumbly), Denton (for Ferguson)

Woodley Sports: Higginbotham, Russell, Woods, Buckley, Boothby, Wright, Derrick, Rick, Robinson, Stubberfield, Henley
Subs: Wild (for Henley), Gee (for Russell), Liptrot (for Woods)

Wakefield came from behind to move into the third round of the President's Cup after clinching a superb victory at Newcastle Blue Star.

Paddy Mumbly started the game for Wakefield in place of Steve Nicholson and one other change to the side that won at Rossendale United saw Graham Marchant return to the starting eleven in place of the injured Demi Kyriacou.

Newcastle were bright during a lively first half, but Wakefield always looked dangerous on the break. On 13 minutes claims for a penalty were waved away by the referee after a defender went through the back of Chris Howarth in the penalty area as he shaped to shoot.

Wakefield were unlucky to go away with only a point after a superb performance in an entertaining game at Dimple Wells.

Wakefield started well and came close to opening the scoring on 26 minutes when great football by Chris Howarth and Demi Kyriacou set up Will Ryder, but his shot from 12 yards was well blocked by a defender.

A minute before the break a lofted ball forward left Howarth with a clear shot on goal but the Wakefield striker lifted the ball over the crossbar.

Ossett's best chance of the opening half came right on half time when Shane Kelsey's drilled effort was held by Andy Woods at the second attempt.

In the second half Wakefield hit the woodwork following a corner early on before Ossett took the lead against the run of play on 50 minutes. Following a scramble in the penalty area, the ball broke to Kelsey who made no mistake from close range.

Wakefield battered Ossett for the remainder of the game. Howarth headed just wide on 67 minutes before the equaliser finally arrived two minutes later. Tommy Agus showed good strength to hold off two defenders before squeezing a shot into the far corner of the net from a difficult angle.

Blake Norton twice volleyed just wide for Wakefield and Howarth saw a driven shot and a header well saved. Ryder also came close in the closing minutes as his hard shot cracked against the post.

Howarth then found himself in acres of space with the goalkeeper well out of position but volleyed over the bar with a first time shot.

Ossett did have a couple of chances on the break in the last ten minutes but Darrell Jenkinson found Woods in good form to make a smart save and in the final minute Steve Nicholson blocked a close range effort right on the goalline following a corner.

Result: Ossett Albion 1 - 1 Wakefield

Wakefield FC man of the match: Will Ryder.

Attendance: 204.

Referee: R J Holdsworth.

Assistant Referees: E S Everson, J Illingworth.

Wakefield: Woods A, Normaschild, Agus, Stevenson, Milnes, Laight, Nicholson, Ryder, Kyriacou, Howarth, Norton 
Subs: Sobers (nu), Ferguson (for Norton), Macquarrie (nu).  

Ossett Albion: Bennett, Hopkins, Impey, Wordsworth, Riordan,  West, Morgan, Senior, Jenkinson, Kelsey, Seed. 
Subs: Boardman (for Senior), Syers (for Morgan), Parker (nu)

Report by Phil Rann

Wakefield picked up an away point this afternoon at local rivals Ossett Albion after an impressive second half performance at Dimple Wells.

The first half was ruined by the strong winds and the sloping pitch and neither side had any clear cut opportunities but Wakefield had the more of the possession in the middle of the park as the half wore on.

A couple of minutes into the second half, an Ossett defender headed against his own cross bar following a corner, and inevitably, they went down the other end and scored following a mistake from Craig Laight.

Wakefield were still the better side however, and Chris Howarth headed just wide from Steve Nicholson's left wing corner, and then Howarth had the ball in the net but it was disallowed for offside while Howarth was booked for scoring.

The equaliser came twenty minutes from time when good play again from Howarth fed Will Ryder, who knocked it right to Tommy Agus. Agus got the ball on his left foot and beat Ossett keeper Neil Bennett with a well placed shot into the far corner.

Blake Norton's well struck volley flew inches wide a couple of minutes after the equaliser as Wakefield continued to impress, but Andy Woods was called into action at the other end but fortunately Ossett's shot from the edge of the area was straight at him.

The best move of the afternoon again involving Howarth and Bobby Stevenson found Will Ryder who controlled it and struck the ball well with his right foot which beat the keeper but unfortunately it bounced back off the post again.

Ossett could have snatched three points when they arguably deserved none in stoppage time when a corner that was bundled towards goal was cleared off the line by Nicholson.

Team: Woods, Normaschild, Agus, Stevenson, Milnes, Laight, Nicholson, Ryder, Kyriacou, Howarth, Norton (Ferguson 77).
Subs not used: Sobers and Macquarrie.

Attendance:

MOM: Howarth.

Wakefield beat Newcastle Blue Star with a confident performance this afternoon at College Grove.

Wakefield handed a debut to left back Tommy Agus who has recently signed from Alfreton Town.

The home side were in front inside the first ten minutes when good play by Chris Howarth set up Demi Kyriacou clean through on the keeper.  Kyriacou made no mistake with a similar finish to his goal at Garforth in midweek.

Fifteen minutes later, it was 2-0 when Kyriacou expertly held the ball up and slotted a brilliantly weighted ball through to Jay Sobers. After winning the ball in a challenge with the keeper, he kept his head to chip the ball home with his left foot.

Just before half time, Andy Woods pulled off a blinding point blank save when Wes Milnes had sliced his clearance to keep the Blues' two goal advantage intact.

In the second half, Howarth almost got Wakefield's third but his shot screwed just wide of the far post, while at the other end, Newcastle were mostly restricted to long range efforts but a couple of corners caused problems in the Wakefield six yard box.

Kyriacou shot straight at the keeper as Wakefield comfortably saw out the end of the match.

Team: Woods, Normaschild, Agus, Stevenson, Milnes, Laight, Ferguson (Nicholson 76), Sobers, Kyriacou, Howarth, Norton (Ryder 90).
Sub not used: Macquarrie.

Attendance: 76

MOM: Milnes

Thought Kyriacou and Howarth played really well together this afternoon. Demi was as good as he was at Garforth and looked at home up front whilst Howarth held the ball up well and looked comfortable. The new left back looks very consistent while Milnes had a cracker especially in the second half.

Wakefield lost again despite leading for the majority of the game at Garforth as too late goals saw them go home with no points from the game.

Wakefield were without Graham Marchant (ribs) and Blake Norton (unavailable) for the game. Jay Sobers was also only fit enough to make the substitutes bench after picking up an injury against Buxton on Saturday. Rob MacQuarrie returned to the side after a spell on the sidelines with a foot injury.

Wakefield went ahead in the 5th minute. Chris Howarth's flick on was picked up by Demi Kyriacou who lifted the ball over a defender before running around the Garforth man and slotting the ball past Karl Spratt in the Garforth goal.

Garforth failed to break Wakefield down in the remainder of the first half and the visitors went in in front at the whistle.

On 52 minutes Garforth were reduced to ten men when Nathan Kamara was dismissed for a second booking.

Wakefield searched for a second goal and came close as first Wes Milnes headed wide before Howarth missed the best chance on 72 minutes when he placed his shot the wrong side of the post after been put through by substitute Sobers.

Kyriacou saw an effort charged down by Spratt, before just as it looked like Wakefield were going to go away with three points, Garforth equalised. Substitute Sebastian Muddel turned Dale Smith down the right wing before curling the ball beyond Andy Woods and into the goal via the far post.

Greg Kelly scored the match winner for Garforth in the 6th minute of stoppage time when the ball broke to him in the penalty area and he fired it past Woods from close range.

Result: Garforth Town 2 - 1 Wakefield

Wakefield FC man of the match: Demi Kyriacou.

Attendance: 87.

Referee: N Bannister.

Assistant Referees: S Hawkins, M D Hardman.

Wakefield: Woods A, Nicholson, Normaschild, Stevenson, Milnes, Laight, Ferguson, MacQuarrie, Ryder, Howarth, Kyriacou
Subs: Smith (for Normaschild), McGahan (nu), Sobers (for Stevenson)

Wakefield: Trueman, Nicholson, Normaschild, Stevenson, Milnes, Laight, Ferguson, Sobers, Marchant, Howarth, Norton
Subs: Kyriacou (for Stevenson), Ashley Duncan (for Ferguson), Dale Smith (for Normaschild)

Skelmersdale United: McMahon, Duffy, Hardwick, Akrigg, White, McConvill, Birchall, Turner, Evans, Cass,  Leadbetter
Subs: Donnelly (for Evans), Grogan (for Turner), Kelly (for Birchall)

Phil Rann's Report

Three defensive errors saw Wakefield slide to a heavy away defeat at the hands of Skelmersdale United this afternoon.

Two changes to the side from the fine win at Nantwich on Tuesday saw Declan Normaschild replace the injured Will Ryder at left back, and Blake Norton start on the left wing instead of Demi Kyriacou who was injured in the warm up.

Skelmersdale were ahead inside the first quarter hour after too much space was given to their number 8 at the back post from a left wing cross. His header was too good for the backtracking Danny Trueman.

Wakefield were having more of the play in the midfield but created few clear cut chances. They did however have a large shout for a penalty turned down when a Skelmersdale defender looked to have flicked the ball on with his hand and it was to be a key moment as the referee waved away the appeals.

In stoppage time, a good whipped cross from Norton needed any contact from Chris Howarth to level the scores but the striker couldn't quite reach it as it flew agonisingly past him.

Five minutes into the second half, the game was as good as settled when Skelmersdale scored their second goal when their number 9 beat Wes Milnes at the near post and slotted home.

After two substitutions including a debut for under 19s striker Ash Duncan, Wakefield tried, but failed to register a goal. Duncan came closest when his header at the back post hit the bar with the keeper beaten and the follow up cross saw Craig Laight head over after being unsighted by the defender in front of him.

Duncan was involved again from a Steve Nicholson cross but headed well over when unchallenged.

It was 3-0 with 20 minutes left when Normaschild miscontrolled on the left wing leaving two against one Wakefield defender. The ball was played to the far side as John Cass beat Trueman at his near post.

Now the more likely team to score was Skelmersdale but Wakefield held out to keep the score at 3-0. Wakefield handed another debut to Dale Smith at left back but it was too little too late.

Team: Trueman, Nicholson, Normaschild (Smith 76), Stevenson (Kyriacou 55), Milnes, Laight, Ferguson (Duncan 55), Sobers, Marchant, Howarth, Norton.

Attendance:

MOM: Milnes.

FC United enjoyed the better of the first half possession, but largely wasted it as they more often than not opted to shoot from long range rather than try and create an easier goalscoring opportunity.

Wakefield always looked capable of worrying the FC United defence on the break throughout the opening period, and had the ball in the net on 44 minutes, but Chris Howarth's superb finish was disallowed as the referee's assistant judged he had strayed marginally offside.

In the second half, play continued in much of the same pattern. Rory Patterson shot into the side netting for FC United, before the home side were awarded a free kick on the edge of the penalty area. Chris Baguley stepped up and curled a sweet shot into the goal to give FC United the lead.

Wakefield hit straight back and equalised three minutes later. Their best move of the match saw Jay Sobers put Graham Marchant clean through on goal with a nicely weighted through ball. Marchant made no mistake as he coolly slotted the ball past the oncoming Sam Ashton in the FC United net.

Demi Kyriacou rattled the FC United crossbar with a bicycle kick following Steve Nicholson's cross fourteen minutes from time, but it was the home side who were to run out the winners. They were awarded what looked a harsh free kick on the edge of the area and Baguley stepped up to beat Danny Trueman with another curling shot, which was very similar to his first goal.

Result: FC United of Manchester 2 - 1 Wakefield

Wakefield FC man of the match: Wes Milnes.

Attendance: 1,955.

Referee: M R Thorley.

Assistant Referees: A Clayton, J Hull.

Wakefield: Trueman, Nicholson, Ryder, Stevenson, Milnes,  Laight, Ferguson, Sobers, Marchant, Howarth, Kyriacou
Subs: Bucknall (nu), Townsend (nu), Kenworthy (nu)

FC United of Manchester:  Ashton, Foster, Roscoe, Platt, Chadwick, Nuggent, Carden A, Baguley, Hanley, Wright, Patterson
Subs: Carden S (for Platt), Brown (for Chadwick), Swarbrick (for Hanley)  

PHIL RANN'S REPORT

Two dubious free kicks from 20 yards settled this encounter in a evenly contested match at Gigg Lane.

Chris Howarth had the ball in the net for Wakefield on 41 minutes at the end of a poor first half, but the play was brought back controversially for offside.

In the second half, FC United took the lead from a free kick given after both players jumped and the FC United player didn't win the ball. Good finish over the backtracking Steve Nicholson to the left of keeper Danny Trueman.

Within four minutes, Wakefield were level with their best move of the match. Delroy Ferguson collected the ball on the left wing, moved it inside to Jay Sobers, who then sent a perfectly weighted ball through to Graham Marchant who was one on one with the keeper and made no mistake to bring the scores level.

The away side were now the better side, and firstly, a three-on-two situtation was wasted when Ferguson chose to take on a second defender instead of play it wide to the better placed Marchant and Howarth, and then when Demi Kyriacou hit the bar with a fine bicycle kick from a Nicholson free kick.

As the match ticked into the final ten minutes, FC United were gifted another free kick inside the D, and the same player beat Trueman with a well placed shot into the corner.

Wakefield tried in vain to get back into the match, but the best they could come up with was a header at the back post by Ferguson which went harmlessly wide.

Team: Trueman, Nicholson, Ryder, Stevenson, Milnes, Laight, Ferguson, Sobers, Marchant, Howarth, Kyriacou.

Subs not used: Bucknall, Townsend, Kenworthy.

Attendance: 1955

MOM: Milnes.

Wakefield were fortunate to come away with this match with a point after a poor performance for the second home match in a row.

The home side were still without the injured Andy Woods, Blake Norton, Delroy Ferguson and Andy Shields, with new signing Jay Sobers coming into the side, while Marc Townsend made his first start of the season after scoring in midweek at Garforth.

Graham Marchant hit the bar for the home side in a poor first half, while Wakefield received some more bad news at half time when Rob Macquarrie went to hospital with a suspected broken foot.

All the best chances in the second half fell to Chorley. Danny Trueman was called into action with two point blank saves before Chorley hit the post as Wakefield rode their luck to stay on level terms.

Former Wakefield striker Neil Smith came off the bench for the away side and beat Trueman with a right foot shot but it flew just wide of the post.

Wakefield almost pressed the self destruct button when Wes Milnes backward header caught out Trueman after a lack of communication but the ball rolled wide.

The home sides best chance of the second period fell to Chris Howarth but his shot from the edge of the area was blocked, while substitute Steve Kenworthy attempted to lob Chorley keeper Peter Hollinge but he recovered to get back to his line in time.

Team: Trueman, Macquarrie (Stevenson 46), Fawcus, Kyriacou, Milnes, Normaschild, Sobers (Laight 89), Bucknall, Marchant, Howarth, Townsend (Kenworthy 65).

Attendance: 96

MOM: Trueman

Wakefield Football Club wish to announce that Manager, Gareth Stoker, has decided to revert to being solely a player.  In his early thirties he wishes to continue playing for a few more seasons and, with his other coaching interests, is finding the added burden of managing a UniBond club too time consuming at this stage of his career.

Gareth joined Wakefield F.C. as a player/coach at the beginning of last season and took over as manager at the turn of the year.  The Club's fortunes improved as his hard work and coaching skills brought progress on the field and a position of respectability was achieved by the end of the season.  The club wishes to place on record its gratitude for his honest endeavour and enterprise as both a player and coach during the past twelve months.

Former Manager, Ronnie Glavin, has agreed to rejoin the club immediately and looks forward to the challenge, of returning Wakefield F.C. to the position of strength it enjoyed when he was last in charge.  

Wakefield were left to rue several missed chances after falling to defeat by a single goal at the Giant Axe. Wakefield were without the unavailable Graham Marchant and Andy Shuttleworth for the game, with Declan Normaschild returning to the side after a long suspension and Gareth Stoker, Demi Kyriacou and Andy Woods starting the match after sitting out the game at Goole.

Wakefield started strongly. A Stoker corner in the second minute was not dealt with by the Lancaster defence but Kyriacou's powerful header was well kept out by Mark Thornley in the Lancaster goal.

Another Kyriacou header on 5 minutes after Steve Kenworthy's cross was easy for Thornley and then on 12 minutes Andy Shields struck the crossbar with a 20 yard free kick as Wakefield continued to look the more likely side to score.

On 17 minutes a Chris Howarth deflected shot was well saved by Thornley before Lancaster were gifted a glorious chance to take the lead after Rob MacQuarrie was harshly adjudged to have fouled a Lancaster player in the Wakefield penalty area. Ryan-Zico Black stepped up but found Andy Woods in superb form to keep out both the penalty and the follow up attempt.

Kyriacou and Delroy Ferguson both sent efforts off target before another Stoker corner again found Kyriacou but he headed just wide. Howarth then battled his way through on goal but fired over from a good position and a Chris Fawcus centre found Kyriacou, who did well to make space for a shot, but again missed the target.

As the game approached half time, Wakefield continue to press forward. Kyriacou headed over once more from Howarth's cross and again rose to meet a Stoker corner but sent the ball off target yet again.

Wakefield went behind four minutes into the second half. No one picked up the run of Chris Lysons after a deep ball in and he was able to come round the back of the Wakefield defence to smash the ball into the net.

Wakefield tried in vain to get back into the game. A Wes Milnes header was well kept out by a combination of goalkeeper and defender after another quality Stoker corner and Shields drove wide from 20 yards after Thornley had punched the ball clear.

At the other end, Woods kept out efforts by Stephen Skinner and Black as Lancaster were always dangerous on the counter attack.

Wakefield's best chances of an equaliser came in injury time. Firstly Stoker won the ball well with a hard tackle, but shot too close to Thornley from 15 yards and then a Stoker corner again caused Lancaster problems. Thornley managed to half punch clear but only as far as Wakefield goalkeeper Woods who had come forward for the set piece in a last ditch attempt to get something from the game. Woods controlled the ball well eight yards out, but then saw his dipping volley strike the cross bar.

Result:  Lancaster City 1 - 0 Wakefield

Wakefield FC man of the match: Andy Woods.

Attendance: 190.

Referee: R L Johnson.

Assistant Referees: S Lyons, P Wilcox.

Wakefield: Woods, MacQuarrie, Fawcus, Stroker, Milnes, Normaschild, Ferguson, Shields, Kenworthy, Howarth, Kyriacou
Subs: Henderson (for Kenworthy), Hussain (nu), Hutchings (for MacQuarrie)

Lancaster City: Thornley, Ripley, Marshall, Greenwood, Lysons, Entwhistle, Skinner, Stringfellow, Foster, Zico Black, Redhead
Subs: Helliwell (for Rigby), Love (for Skinner), Stevens (nu) 

Report by Phil Rann

For the third time this season, Wakefield lost 1-0 in a league match that they deserved at least a point from, and in this case, perhaps three points.

Demi Kyriacou tested the Lancaster keeper in the first minute but he was equal to the task, and then Delroy Ferguson lifted his right wing shot over the keeper but also over the cross bar.

Andy Shields hit the bar with a curling free kick with the keeper beaten, before Lancaster were awarded a penalty when Rob Macquarrie brought down a Lancaster forward. Andy Woods however saved the poor spot kick, and then made an even better save to deny the same player with the follow up.

Kyriacou's flick on led to Shields shooting just over before Wes Milnes' far post header was a whisker away from opening the scoring.

Same old story, and four minutes into the second half, Lancaster took the lead with the first mistake from the Wakefield defence.

Wakefield struggled to create the same number of chances as the first half after the goal, but Chris Howarth almost levelled the scores twenty minutes from the end but his touch wasn't enough to prod the ball home, and the touch took the ball away from Milnes sliding in at the back post.

Lancaster should have made sure of the win when a long ball through found a forward in acres of space. Woods held up the play with a good block, and that allowed Chris Fawcus to get back and make a great challenge.

Wakefield almost found a late equaliser but the Lancaster keeper was again equal to Kyriacou's header, and the Lancaster sub who had just come on helped him clear the ball off the line.

Just to prove that it wasn't Wakefield's day was still to follow though, and in a ridiculous two added minutes when it should have been at least six or seven, Woods came up for a Gareth Stoker corner. He chested the ball down, and volleyed the ball from six yards out. The ball hit the cross bar and went over with just about the last kick of the match.

Team: Woods, Macquarrie (Hutchings 84), Fawcus, Stoker, Milnes, Normaschild, Ferguson, Shields, Kenworthy (Henderson 70), Howarth, Kyriacou.
Sub not used: Hussain.

Attendance:

MOM: Woods

Comment by Phil Rann

Thought the officials today were as ever, consistently inconsistent. The ref gave Lancaster a penalty, could say Macquarrie went through the back of him, but then the linesman missed a clear handball in the Lancaster area in the second half, I think it was their number three who had his arms up by his chest and controlled the ball with them. He let a number of Lancaster players roll around on the floor for a good minute or two each time, and then when they made a sub, their players made sure they crawled back to the dugout to waste some more time. The ref said he kept adding the time on but his watch must have stopped when he issued two minutes of stoppage time. It should have been at least six or seven. On another occasion, the officials allowed two Lancaster defenders to shove Kenworthy away from the ball which was creeping to the goal line. Just as well the advert boards weren't a bit closer and they would have shoved him over those as well. As Stoker put it 'Anywhere else on the pitch it would be obstruction and a booking'. So hard to take again, another 1-0 defeat when we deserved a lot better, the one difference was that Lancaster took their chance, we didn't.