Irlam hoodoo strikes again

Elton Vale...1 Irlam Mitchell Shackleton...2

VALE'S bogey side made it five wins and a draw from their seven visits to Elton as they just about held on after a late onslaught from the home side.

Three-figure attendances at Elton Vale Road are now the norm rather than the exception and another good sized crowd saw a Mitchell's side that included several new, young faces from what is their usual line-up quickly forced onto the defensive.

Despite kicking into the teeth of a strong wind, Vale started well enough and with less than a minute on the clock Derek Watson brought a good save out of 'keeper Steve Corefield who turned his low shot away for a corner.

Watson again went close with a header and then a cleverly constructed move ended with a smart 'step over' in the box but Dave Malius was just inches away from connecting with the ball for what would have been an picture book goal.

Elton however, rapidly began to fade and when Mitchell's scored with their very first attack in the 15th minute, Craig Mills forcing the ball home in a goalmouth melee following a corner, the Fold were knocked completely out of their stride as they became sloppy, disjointed and lacking in direction.

Whilst conceding one goal against the elements wouldn't be unsurmountable when the teams changed ends, two would leave a lot of chasing and that's exactly how it turned out to be as Mitchell's increased their lead in the 35th minute.

Another weak and misplaced clearance from the Vale defence was quickly seized upon and the when ball was fed to impressive playmaker Nicky Irlam he curled a shot beyond Steve Crossley from twenty two yards for a quality strike.

A half time 'discussion' that made Simon Cowell seem like Mary Poppins certainly ignited the blue touch paper as Elton came out and reduced the arrears within a minute of the re-start when Watson scored an identical goal to their opponents first, scrambling the ball home at a corner.

The fightback was now well and truly on and Steve Smith almost grabbed the equaliser ten minutes later only for his shot on the run to smack against the foot of a post.

Vale though, were still lacking a sense of urgency in the opposition's penalty box as the failure to attack or throw themselves at a number of better quality deliveries into the danger area meant that the Irlam defenders won the majority of balls played in.

The visitors were also still lively on the counter attack with lone striker John Robinson a constant threat and he almost restored the two goal advantage in the 65th minute, capitalising on a slip by Mark Slater and bearing down on goal only to be firstly thwarted by a good block from Crossley and then by Slater recovering to clear the follow up off the line.

Elton kept plugging away at the other end and were once again denied by the woodwork when a rising drive from Stefan Shaw clattered the crossbar.

But some credit must go to the mainly young and inexperienced Irlam outfield players who protected their goal to the extent that veteran 'keeper Corefield, after his first minute heroics, wasn't called upon to make another serious save until the last four minutes when he denied Paul Owen on two occasions.

The first came when Owen snatched at the ball just ten yards out and Corefield comfortably collected but the second chance saw the Vale man connect perfectly only to see the 'keeper spring full length and tip the volley over the bar to ensure his side returned home with three points and leave the Elton players to rue their dismal first half performance which ultimately cost them the game.

TEAM: Crossley 7, Slater 5, Doran 6, Dearden 5, Keegan 5, Price 5, Shaw 6, Wilkes 6, Malius 5, Watson 6, Smith 6 Subs: Armstrong (for Malius, 62 mins) 6, Owen (for Keegan, 70 mins) 6, Hopkins ( for Smith, 70 mins) 5

Elton's young reserve side were on the wrong end of a 7-0 defeat at second placed Dukinfield Town reserves.

Tomorrow Vale are away to East Manchester and the reserves are at home to Wilmslow Albion reserves. Both kick-off's are 2pm.

MANCHESTER United's legendary goalkeeper Alex Stepney, who is now on the coaching staff at neighbours City, is the guest speaker at Elton Vale's forthcoming Sportsman's Dinner at their sports club home on Friday April 4, with comedian Wayne Check Allen completing the entertainment line-up.

Individual tickets, which are already selling fast, are priced £12 and sponsorship packages are also available. All sales and details can be obtained from Stuart Robb on 01204-887565.