Cavaliers denied point by last-gasp winner

HOLLINWOOD ................. 2 CAVALIERS ...................... 1 BEN GAGE

CAVALIERS put in an excellent performance for this trip to Oldham but ultimately came away empty handed after a late winner for the home team. In their first game for four weeks, the newly rebuilt squad matched their hosts all across the park in the best display of the season so far.

The home team took the lead after 10 minutes after a ball over the top down the right channel was lofted over Cavs’ goalkeeper Paul Marshall into he net. The away side did not give up, however, and went close several times through Kevell Blake before the equaliser came, and it was Blake who got it. Played through down the left side, Blake was tripped in the area as he bore down and goal to win a penalty, which he dispatched himself to level the scores at half time.

Cavaliers started the second half in impressive fashion and had two good efforts from range from Freddie Perfetti, before it looked like they had taken the lead. Substitute Marko Ranisavljev put the ball in the net after running into the area from a throw in and the Referee initially gave the goal. But after protests form the home side the official inspected the side netting to find that the net had a hole in it, and the ball had in fact gone through this and into the goal. It stayed 1-1. The same thing happened again 10 minutes later when Blake burst into the box and shot powerfully, but this time the Ref immediately ruled it out.

As the rain started to fall the ball started to skid off the pitch, and this would be the visitor’s undoing. Goalkeeper Marshall had an immense performance in goal as he kept out several late efforts as the home side pressed for a winner, but he allowed a long range shot to spin in off his chest as it skidded off the soaked surface and bounced up awkwardly with three minutes to go. The visitors rallied in the remaining time, but could not find an equaliser.

Despite the score, it was an impressive performance from a team put together in a month, one which earned praise from the home Manager and players.

This Saturday Cavaliers are at home to Hindley Juniors at Scholes Park, KO 2pm.