Air Miles Manchester League Division Two

ELTON VALE RES...0

WYTHENSHAWE AM RES...2

WITH the first team out of action due to scheduled opponents Springhead being involved in a cup tie, that was itself postponed, it was left to the second string to provide the entertainment.

And they turned in a quite worthwhile display against the league leaders and were very unfortunate not to get anything from the game.

February weather was at its worst throughout the match, with a howling wind accompanied by rain and sleet as Elton played the first half with the elements at their backs.

Some cleverly constructed moves put the visitors under immediate pressure without yielding a vital early goal.

As it was, Wythenshawe settled down and began to probe forward and the first real chance of the game fell to their veteran striker Stuart Saint, who drove his effort just wide.

Vale thought they'd taken the lead in the 20th minute when Steve Dearden forced the ball home at a corner, but referee Charles Ahme had already blown for an infringement.

The official then angered the home side even more when he failed to punish 'Ammies 'keeper Chris Mattocks for picking up an obvious back pass, the repercussions of which would be felt later in the game.

Wythenshawe took the lead in the 35th minute when a mix-up in Elton's offside trap gave Paul Randings an opportunity he gratefully accepted, his low shot from 20 yards finding the corner of the net.

Vale hit back and both Dearden and Martin Rayner saw long range efforts go over the bar.

Elton then suffered a blow early in the second half when skipper Eric Greenhalgh limped off, but the re-organisation had little effect as the side now enjoyed their best spell of the game. Gary Davenport volleyed just wide when put clear, and John Armstrong's stinging drive rose a split second too soon as it whistled over the bar.

Vale were having far greater possession, with Mike Lonsdale in particular, tackling like a terrier in central midfield in order to keep up the pressure.

But the deserved equaliser wasn't forthcoming and on 80 minutes Vale fell further behind to what was a legitimate goal, but was also one that brought an angry response from the home contingent.

When Dearden's back pass from almost the half way line was picked up by 'keeper Ian Critchley, Mr. Ahme decided on this occasion to award the obligatory free kick, which was played short to Anthony Stott who promptly drove it into the net.

The Bury side still posed a threat and Davenport again drove wide with just Mattocks to beat, and Rayner then volleyed over from a similar position. but there was to be no luck in front of goal and Vale slumped to a very unlucky defeat.

TEAM: Critchley, Coffey, Dearden, Greenhalgh, Jones, Dicks, Lonsdale, Feven, Read, Rayner, Davenport Subs: Armstrong (for Greenhalgh), Murphy (for Read), Taylor, McDermott, Keown (none used)

Vale are away to East Manchester tomorrow and the reserves are at home to Irlam MS reserves. Both kick-off at 2.30pm.