Cromwell shows his leadership qualities

WHETHER it’s a Premiership or Division One game, The Herald versus S&A always has a special edge to it. On Sunday it was both reserve teams’ turn to battle out for a place at the top of the table.

S&A went into the game knowing a defeat would all but end their title hopes, whereas a win would in turn heap pressure on their rivals.

Rob English made some brave team changes, including bringing in Kevin Edgar from the first team. The hosts included Dave Brooks and Mark Pritchard from their first team and it was The Herald who started brightly and enjoyed fair spells of possession.

Eventually they took the lead on 19 minutes as S&A were static from a freekick and Jake Turner powered a loose ball home from close range.

This spurred S&A on and they went on to dominate the next hour. Chances started to come freely and after some near misses a wonderful sweeping move involving Ryan and Hawkshaw ended in Edgar slotting home from ten yards.

Edgar was unlucky not to double his tally when a dipping free-kick hit the underside of the bar just before half time.

The second half turned into a battle to which S&A where well on top. Winning individual battles all over the pitch and creating numerous chances, they eventually broke down the door when Edgar fed Mark Watson to smash home from the edge of the area.

Ryan hit the bar, Hawkhaw and Paskin blazed over as the game should have been put away but in a frantic final minute, The Herald were awarded a corner. With almost every player in the S&A box, a mass scramble saw Turner smash the ball past Anthony Taylor, only for Tom Cromwell to heroically stop on the line, despite The Herald protests the ball had gone in.

The referee’s whistle sparked brief celebration as S&A move four points clear. There are still six cup finals for the team to play but destiny is back in their own hands.