Woolton Strike Last Minute Blow To Shock League Leaders

The first game of a new year and it was a ghost from Christmas past that denied us the opportunity to extend our lead at the top. A glum and miserable morning didn't improve much as we struggled throughout the game to create enough clear chances to trouble their keeper. Top scorer Charlie Hacking was missing due to injury and both Sam O'Neill and Alex McDonald were only fit enough to start on the bench due to injury and illness. This saw a slight change in shape giving us an extra man in midfield. First half long range efforts from both Dan Edge and Paddy Clegg were about as close as we came although centre half James Boner did tap the ball home following a Gift Sibanda free kick that was pushed into his path only for the referee to rule it out for offside. It looked harsh and a decision he had to be absolutely certain about given how quick it took him to blow his whistle.

Sam O'Neill replaced Dan Edge at half time after our number 5 had pulled a muscle in his back and Alex McDonald and Ethan Danku replaced Kaleb Sweeney and Zico Williams to try and bring something different in the final 3rd. With 30 minutes to go Joe Wilson was caught on his shin and had to be replaced by Harry Galvin who came on and made three outstanding saves. With a minute to go it was looking like stalemate and a case of taking the point and moving on. When the referee failed to give us a free kick on the edge of their box it led to us being caught on the counter attack and former player Mitchell Canty saw his name wrote up in lights. He kept his cool and slotted past Galvin with his trusty left foot which was a fatal knock out blow with only 70 seconds remaining.