Aldermere 2-2 Mellor Thirds
Match reoprt provided by Third team manager Adam Axford:
This was a close game that on another day we would have put to bed before Half Time.
We started poorly, a misplaced pass in the defence allowed their striker to spring through on goal, slotting past stand-in keeper Jack Kuehl to make it 1-0 to the hosts.
We rallied and managed to find our shape, Nick Entwistle and Ian Arnfield linking up well with the Central midfield and the two wingers. In the 17th minute after some build up play down the left flank Arnfield nudged the ball past his man at the touch line and lofted a left footed cross to the back post where strike partner Nick Entwistle was waiting to thump the header past the stranded keeper.
The goal lifted our spirits and we started to play with a bit more freedom, Ryan Compson and Andy Kuehl linking up well down the left hand side and causing problems for the Aldermere defence. Just before half time we got our reward, sloppy defending and a bit of ping-pong football in the box ended with Arnfield laying off to Fred Keyte who passed the ball into the net from a couple of yards out! Straight from the restart we won possession back and went on the offensive, Fred Keyte bursting down the right and firing a ball to the back post where Arnfield happily passed the ball into the net only to be called offside by the Referee. Let's not talk too much about that decision.
The second half started as the first ended with Mellor on top, but again with a lack of a full bench we were unable to freshen things up. Aldermere made their changes and grew back into the game, their long balls over the top caught us out on a couple of occassions but Jack Kuehl worked well with his defence to smother any chances. Arnfield was replaced by Broadway who missed the last two games and brought some fresh legs into the attack. Despite our best efforts we were under pressure for much of the final quarter of the game, Jack Kuehl keeping us in front with a number of quality saves, proving why he's the man to stand in when Benn McGregor is unavailable.
With 4 minutes of normal time remaining we were undone, a mix up at the back let their striker through who for the 5th or 6th time of asking in the game was able to slot past Jack Kuehl. It was a real body blow for the lads who had given everything in the game.
We had a couple of chances to snatch the points late on, Jack Barraclough making a great run past the defence and into the box but unable to apply the finish. Another chance provided by Nick Entwistle with a great cross to the back post only for Fred Keyte to put it narrowly wide on the stretch.
All in all Aldermere were definitely worthy of their point however if we'd had another sub or two I have no doubt we would have won this game comfortably. Next up is our first home game at Newall this season v Tintwistle Res who haven't beaten us in four attempts.
Up the Thirds!
