In a game warranting of goals, Athersley and Nostell finished
0-0 at Sheerien Park on Friday evening in the NCEL Division One.
Athersley were twice denied by the officials via disallowed
goals as well as once due to the crossbar.
Ellis Pickard’s reaction save infront of Grackan Klimczak’s shot
from yards out earns the ‘keeper his due recognition in keeping the score
goalless.
Nathan Perks was restored to the starting line-up after his two
goals on Saturday as part of five changes. Kenneth Effah made his full debut whilst
Alfie Bakes, Jack Briscoe and Lewis Field all started.
Rec benefitted first from the open start Nostell's directness forced upon
the game, Bakes receiving from the left, in space central to shoot from
distance, just a lack of dip refraining the ball from beating Harold Edjangue
just six minutes in.
Athersley were to go even closer without scoring, with a goal
disallowed on twenty-one minutes. Perks’ flick-on at the far post continued the
ball into James Byford for two attempts either side of Edjangue’s block but the
flag’s already raised.
Ellis Pickard had to react in an instant to deny Gracjan
Klimczak, just yards out, to pus the ball over as he dived to his right. Nostell’s
intent to go direct led to them finding Jordan Chippendale down their left and attacking
the byline, able to drill a cross under pressure into Klimczak’s feet just
yards out, somehow denied.
On what appearred to be Effah who was only able to hit the bar,
kept the score goalless, his volley following a delivery from the right
rebounding off the roof of the woodwork.
Chippendale was able to shoot on his next opening, across
goal, Pickard making sure at full-stretch.
Appeals for a penalty were supported by the linesman’s flag
on the nearside and Chippendale was content enough with that to pick the ball
up only for the referee then to blow for an Athersley free-kick for handball.
There’s no card, assumingly due to the confusion.
The success of Chippendale down the left again finished with
a low pass into Klimczak, forced into shooting first-time yet still the shot is
blocked by the pressing defender with the score level at the break.
Pickard’s active again quickly after the break to parry a close-range
header up in the air, he or the ref having not seen the raised flag at that
point.
Fifteen minutes into the second-half and the hosts looked to
have sussed out the directness of their visitors who’s intent to attack down
either side is read timely amongst those in Rec’s back-line.
Woodhouse looked round Djeukam as he attacked down the left
but the full-back caught him up and is able to put a stop to the run.
The winger’s isolated in space on the next occasion as the
ball is shuffled across from right to left in two passes. Djeukam’s pace on the
cover means he’s able to block the route to goal and the cross was straight
into Edjangue’s grasp.
Off-the line, Effah’s header drew claims that the ball did
cross the line but the linesman’s not in agreement.
Woodhouse thought ahead by shooting first-time, able to
evade any pressure but Edjangue's strong hand pushed wide of hjs box.
Woodhouse had it in the net on his next opportunity,
centralised inside the box but he too is denied by the officials, that
Athersley’s second occasion tonight. The ball is adjudged to have gone out
before Josh Berry can deliver his cross from the left.
And he’s clear again leading to another left-footed shot skipping
across the surface in front of the visiting goal with five minutes remaining.
Purcell’s cross from the right isn’t collected by Edjangue
on the first try but he’s off his line to gather the loose ball.
It’s enough to keep the score goalless at the full-time whistle despite chances for both sides.
A trip to Selby in eight days is to follow in the league for Rec.
