> 22.12.2007

.

Despite not having played for two weeks due to poor weather, the Pitmen turned in a lethargic performance against high-flying Fleetwood Town at Keys Park this afternoon, further denting their play-off hopes. Injuries and unavailability of key players saw the squad stretched to it's limit, with assistant manager Mark Patterson making up the numbers on the bench at 42 years old 

In front of a desperately disappointing crowd, the visitors got off to a flying start, with former AFC Telford striker Steve Foster just missing the target with a fifth minute effort

They only had to wait five more minutes before breaking the deadlock, however, with the danger starting back in the Fleetwood half. Right back Kieran Walmsley picked the ball up, and was allowed time and space to move towards the Hednesford penalty area. After playing a one-two with former Pitman Andy Bell, he fired a great shot past Rene Gilmartin

It seemed as though it was all going to fall on the shoulders of youngster Ross Dyer, as the Hednesford forward was at the heart of everything the Pitmen did in the first half. His constant running on and off the ball gave Fleetwood a headache, with the youth team graduate winning a free kick mid way through the half that was wasted by Chris Adam

Dyer was once again the main outlet for the Pitmen's attacking ambition on twenty six minutes, taking on his man before slipping the ball through to Anthony Maguire, who shot narrowly wide

The Pitmen were enjoying plenty of possession at this point in the game, but were making very little headway in terms of goalscoring opportunities. Chris Hanna did force Fleetwood keeper Michael Hale into a save towards the end of the half, and also felt as if he had a case to argue for a penalty after he was clumsily brought down as he went for the rebound

As it was, Fleetwood extended their lead just before the break; an effort from Foster was well saved by Gilmartin, but he could do nothing to stop former Everton player Jamie Milligan tapping in the rebound

After what was no doubt a critical team talk from Phil Starbuck, the Pitmen emerged brightly in the early stages of the second half, as they looked to get that crucial goal to let them back in. But once again, their neat passing and territorial advantage came to nothing, as they failed to test Hale with any real attempt on goal

The visitors picked through the scraps, and offered more of a goal threat on the counter attack, with Gilmartin denying Bell before Bell's shot was deflected away from goal by Gordon Simms

Despite another man of the match performance from Dyer. the striker was guilty of a glaring miss that would have given the Pitmen a lifeline on seventy three minutes. A free kick from Chad Sheppard found Dyer unmarked at the far post, but his header somehow missed the target 

The Pitmen's attacks were now on the more desperate side, as they stepped up the pressure. Hale denied Hanna and substitute Alan Nagington, before the Fleetwood stopper made a great save from another Nagington shot

Ad the Pitmen pressed, gaps appeared at the back, and Fleetwood took full advantage of this with a minute to go. Simms made a real hash of a long ball towards Alex Taylor, allowing the ball to bounce through to the substitute, with Taylor running through without a challenge to take the ball past Gilmartin and find the net  cds

Prescot Cables (A) 

.15

Images / Information (unless accredited), are © Copyright Pitmenweb 1999-2009                                                                                                         Fixtures & Results 2007-2008