Abbey Hulton United vs Stafford Town Mens 1sts
1 - 0
29 August 2022 · North West Counties<br>South
Away league match played on 29 August 2022.
Kicked off at 3:00 PM
1-0
vs Abbey Hulton United
Away league match
An extremely contentious penalty decided this evenly contested match and is the latest kick in the guts for this Town group that can't seem to catch a break so far this campaign.
Both teams had their moments but overall it'd be fair to report the home side had the bigger chances and goalmouth action. The town lads put a sterling shift in and defended admirably throwing bodies, faces and whatever it took on the line to block shots and keep the hosts at bay.
Town again started this game brightly and enjoyed the majority of possession. The play was building up nicely and at a good tempo from the back into the middle and wide men. Although Town were regularly getting to the final third there was then a lack of cutting edge to go on and test the home stopper with any conviction.
The deciding moment came in the 65th minute. Left back Jake Cartwright stuck out and then retracted a leg but the Hulton player was quick to get air born and the closely positioned referee was adamant there had been contact and therefore deemed it a foul. He wasn't however close enough himself to decide if said contact was in or out of the penalty area so sought the input of his assistant who was positioned somewhat further away. To the surprise of many and bemusement of others it was verified that the 'foul' had taken place inside the box and the spot kick was duly awarded. Dan Cope stepped up to convert and give the hosts the lead.
The Stafford lads rallied in the 25 minutes but weren't able to create anything of real quality to get back into the game. If anything it was the hosts who were lifted by the gift and more likely to add to their slender lead.
Apparently these things even themselves out over the course of a season and we look forward to that as the way things are going it'll be a doddle second half of the campaign.
Having technical issues uploading the footage for this one currently and Veo are investigating for us. We'll be sure to add it to Stafford Town TV if it is retrieved.
Next up is another long jaunt up the M6 this time to Birkenhead and Cammell Laird FC on Saturday 3rd September.