Toolstation NCEL Division One - Game 32
24/02/24 - Louth Town vs Wombwell Town
The Wellers woes away from home continued as they fell to a third consecutive away defeat at Louth Town. As the game kicked off the home side immediately went on the attack, and appeared to stun the visitors who were put on the back foot in the early stages of the game. Signs of things to come saw keeper Henry Kendrick forced to make three saves in the opening seven minutes with captain Rikki Paylor doing his best to marshall his line of defence with some choice interceptions to stop further efforts. The pressure finally paid off on ten minutes as Kendrick parried the initial shot straight in front of him to the feet of Finlay Drakes who couldn't miss from five yards. Further shots put Kendrick under more scrutiny and the hosts doubled their lead on 16 minutes as Kieran Perry beat the keeper after the ball was squared to his feet in the box. If the first goal wasn't enough to spark life in the Wellers the second certainly did and shortly after the second went in they finally had an effort of their own. Kane Reece latched onto the ball and wasn't going to give it up as he travelled into the penalty area looking for a close range finish, only to be thwarted by Louth Town's 45 year-old stand-in keeper Ian MacTaggart whose bravery knew no bounds all afternoon. Eddie Agnew rose highest of all on 20 minutes as the ball found his head at the far post after delivery from the left, but the effort went over the crossbar. Then it was Louth's turn once again and they grabbed a third from Bailey Wright who looped the from the left edge of the box over Kendrick and watch it drop into the far corner. Another MacTaggart stop, this time a more comfortable one from Danny Youel's effort, launched another attack for Louth on 34 minutes, however Mitchell Smith could only strike the crossbar before forcing Kendrick to save the follow-up. There could have been calls for a penalty on 43 minutes as keeper MacTaggart rushed out to try and get the ball and collided with Agnew, however the striker shrugged off the challenge rather than going down, but couldn't retrieve the ball. One of those that you've seen given. Half time: LTFC 3, WTFC 0 The second half became a scrap rather than a football match, with Wombwell trying to get themselves back into the game at all costs. It forced referee Michael Wright to make a number of cautions, starting with Paylor and Smith who seemed to be having words with each other early on. Goal scorer Perry was then booked on 50 minutes for a challenge on debutant Craig Nelthorpe, who was started to look dangerously creative in midfield. Two minutes later it got worse for Louth as Smith was shown a second yellow - however it was a sin bin caution and he only left the field for ten minutes. This was the catalyst to finally get the Wellers moving as on 57 minutes a cross from the right by Jason Paling saw Agnew's determination pay-off as he sorted out his body and fire past MacTaggart for his 10th goal of the season. Five minutes later the difference was reduced to one as Reece made it 3-2. Once again MacTaggart was brave to come out and, this time, deny Jordan Kershaw at the striker's feet, but the loose ball fell to Reece and the follow up shot took a deflection into the air, but still dropped into the net. Back to XI vs XI Louth made life difficult once more for Wombwell and could have extended their lead with a number of counter attacks. One moment came on 86 minutes as the long returned Smith was one-on-one with Kendrick and the pair's feet made contact with each other on the edge of the penalty area. With both players down injured the referee gave a free kick in Kendrick's favour. With Louth, understandably, calling for the free kick (or worse) to go in their favour discussions were had with assistant referee Leon Westerman and the decision stood. As time trickled away there was more annoyance for Wombwell Town as substitute Harley Wilson picked up two needless bookings within three minutes and went for an early shower seven minutes into added time. Discipline issues this season have now hit critical levels! Nine minutes into added time there was one last booking, for Louth's sub Reece Southwood, before the final whistle blew and the best team on the pitch picked up the three points. Louth Town - 3 Finlay Drakes 10 Kieran Perry 16 Bailey Wright 29 Wombwell Town - 2 Eddie Agnew 57 Kane Reece 62 Attendance: 93
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