A BREATHTAKING first half display from Whinney Hill's player-manager Mick Price, forced to take over the goalkeeper's mantle only minutes before the kick off, prevented his team being turned over by Castle's rampaging forward line.

In the opening 45 minutes Price found himself exposed time and time again as Castle's two wide men, Phil Heyes and Shaun George caused havoc down the flanks and provided a constant flow of balls for the Whitehead duo, spearheading the Castle attack. Early in the game Price denied Rob Whitehead two goals, tipping a fierce 15 yard drive around the post and then beating out the striker's close range shot before repeating the feat when Shaun George threatened to put Castle in front as he stormed into the six yard box minutes later.

The one-way traffic continued as Jamie Whitehead flashed a shot just inches wide and Nick Cooper saw his volley blocked on the line by a Whinney Hill defender.

Further Price heroics followed, including a fingertip save that flicked a George shot on the turn, over the bar and a Jamie Whitehead blast that demanded Price stretch himself to the limit and guide the ball around his near post.

Having survived the first half Whinney Hill, now with the advantage of the slope, took the game to Castle and it was Price's counterpart, Shaun Threlfall, who was first into action saving well from James Price's snap shot. Nathan Sullivan had a great chance to put Whinney Hill ahead moments later, but couldn't produce a telling shot from close range following a good through ball from James Price and then only a sliding clearance from Castle's Darran Gillibrand, kept out Nick Payne's near post shot.

Whinney Hill increased the pressure introducing substitute Curtis Greenhalgh into the fray and he wasted no time seeking out the Castle goal. His first effort, a 30 yard shot, flew just over the top of Threlfall's crossbar followed by a header, powered the wrong side of the post from Greg Braysford's perfectly flighted free kick.

With Castle now firmly on the defensive, a slip by Nick Cooper allowed Mark Swimby a scoring chance from six yards out, but he lacked the composure to turn his advantage into a goal, firing wide of the target.

Cooper then turned hero with two great block tackles as Braysford repeatedly tried to smash the ball home from three yards.

More drama followed from the resulting corner, when Nathan Sullivan's cross struck Paul Sharp before bouncing back off the post and being hacked to safety.

Having cleared the danger Castle went on the offensive and young full back Gillibrand finished off a powerful 40 yard run with a great pass which Rob Whitehead stroked just wide.

Whitehead followed this up with a run into the box that took him past Price and despite being caught by the Whinney Hill keeper, Whitehead opted to stay on his feet only to spray his shot wide of the open goal.

With nothing separating the two sides it required another priceless save from the Whinney Hill boss to keep his side level, flicking away a great header from Carl Smith that threatened to steal in at the foot of the post.

As the minutes ticked away Whinney Hill stormed back and Curtis Greenhalgh almost snatched the winner when he turned his defender and forced a great save from Threlfall. But the only winners proved to be the respective goalkeepers who, between them, produced a multitude of sparkling saves and a marvellous afternoon's entertainment.

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