Close win for Hathern over Ingles keeps the 100 per cent record going

HATHERN 2 INGLES 1 HATHERN maintained their 100 per cent start to the season with a close win over Shepshed-based rivals Ingles. This is a derby that has produced much drama down the years, but for Hathern, rarely has a victory been achieved that has been so bloody-minded and heroic. If a 2-1 win at Shepshed on the opening day made Hathern favourites to retain the Joe Middleton Cup, the odds drifted somewhat in the fourth minute, when Hathern keeper Dan Owen handled outside of his box. The referee Mr Whately judged it to have been deliberate and denying a goal, and showed a red card. For Hathern manager Darrel Brooks, this was not even Plan B - Jake Purple was pressed into action between the sticks, and the afternoon became a mountain. For the next half an hour, Ingles dominated possession, and carved out shots. Yet Hathern rode the storm, and frustrated the visitors. The array of bookings on both sides reflected a game at times ill-tempered, and Hathern started to hold their own. At the break, the scores were level, and it was Hathern who went in the happier side. That confidence carried over into the second half, and eight minutes after the break, James Beech gave Hathern the lead, taking his time to beat two defenders in the box, before turning in his shot into the back of the net. The visitors discipline started to fray, and the Ingles attackers were unable to break the Hathern defence, who having weathered the storm in the first half, turned the screw with a well-marshaled offside line that exploited the increasing desperation in the Shepshed ranks. When the equaliser came, it was from distance, with Adam Smith’s well-struck shot from 20 yards flying to Purple’s right into the bottom corner. Ingles upped the tempo again, but Hathern held firm. So it was in injury time that a clearance found the Hathern winger, who saw half a chance, got round the tiring right-back, held the ball up, before squaring back to Ryan Page, who tapped in to send Hathern and their fans cock-a-hoop, having won despite playing 86 minutes with just 10 men. The visitors had a chance at the death to equalise, but sliced it wide at the far post. Another three points for Hathern, and bragging rights, and with it the Joe Middleton Cup, for another season. Ingles, players lying shell-shocked on the Pasture Lane turf at the final whistle, left to wonder what might have been.