Jan 1, 2010
Mickleover 1, Market Drayton Town 0
How did we lose that one? This was the question Market Drayton Town boss Andy Pryce and coach Mick Murphy posed without getting any real answers to any and all they could quiz after the game.
The professionals, the fans, the players and the pundits were equally mystified after Town had virtually taken apart the UniBond League's top form team.
Mickleover entered this Boxing Day duel on the back of five successive victories in which they had scored 18 goals, conceded six and rocketed to sixth in the first division south table.
But how they finished it third place, on the same 40 points tally as Chasetown and one behind leaders Kidsgrove left the near 250 football fans who braved Saturday's odd combination of sun and cold convinced only that their sport can be a cruel business.
According to coach Murphy, Town hit the woodwork three times and forced 17 corners compared with the handful managed by Mickleover.
"How did we lose?" he asked afterwards for the umpteenth time, once more shaking his head in disbelief. "We murdered them for most of the game."
Boss Pryce didn't have the answer either. "How did we lose?" he also wanted to know. But he stressed he couldn't question his side's commitment. "We knew we were in for a tough game and asked for 100 per cent... everyone gave us 110," he said.
"The lads will play far worse than they did today and win comfortably
"Our supporters I have spoken to have all told me it's the best we've played as a team all season; if we can repeat that form, there will be a lot of joy for us in the rest of our matches.
"We played some really good stuff throughout the team and with Willenhall our visitors on New Year Day, Friday, I am sure we put down a big marker for 2010."
Town faced this game without defender Ashley Burd, winger Nicky Porter and midfielder Marc Stallard, who were all suspended, plus full back Dave Andrewatha and striker Tom Ward.
But with key defenders Paul McMullen and Gary Anslow back from their brief flirtation with Hednesford, Darren Beech making an impressive first start of the season on the right, David Howells working well on the left and, later on, some well timed substitutions including newcomer Adam Wood, Town played well throughout.
They dominated the opening 20 minutes, hitting the bar with a high cross-cum-shot from Beech before being caught out for the only goal of the game.
Mickleover staged a well-worked break down the right, dragging the Town defence out of position and then making them pay with a fast, accurate cross to the left, where Alex Steadman accepted a simple tap-in chance.
You've got to give it to 'em, it was good. Town keeper Andrew Spooner had little chance and if he did feel guilty he more than redeemed himself in the second half, with three brave saves to thwart similar breakaways while Town were battering away at Mickleover's defence.
Somehow, the home side survived a barrage of shots from all quarters plus some hectic goalmouth melees, including two ended by the ball being scrambled away to safety off the woodwork.
The final whistle was greeted with relief by Mickleover And if it's any consolation to Messrs Pryce, Murphy, and the rest of the Town camp, most of the home fans left asking each other: "How did we win that one...?"
The professionals, the fans, the players and the pundits were equally mystified after Town had virtually taken apart the UniBond League's top form team.
Mickleover entered this Boxing Day duel on the back of five successive victories in which they had scored 18 goals, conceded six and rocketed to sixth in the first division south table.
But how they finished it third place, on the same 40 points tally as Chasetown and one behind leaders Kidsgrove left the near 250 football fans who braved Saturday's odd combination of sun and cold convinced only that their sport can be a cruel business.
According to coach Murphy, Town hit the woodwork three times and forced 17 corners compared with the handful managed by Mickleover.
"How did we lose?" he asked afterwards for the umpteenth time, once more shaking his head in disbelief. "We murdered them for most of the game."
Boss Pryce didn't have the answer either. "How did we lose?" he also wanted to know. But he stressed he couldn't question his side's commitment. "We knew we were in for a tough game and asked for 100 per cent... everyone gave us 110," he said.
"The lads will play far worse than they did today and win comfortably
"Our supporters I have spoken to have all told me it's the best we've played as a team all season; if we can repeat that form, there will be a lot of joy for us in the rest of our matches.
"We played some really good stuff throughout the team and with Willenhall our visitors on New Year Day, Friday, I am sure we put down a big marker for 2010."
Town faced this game without defender Ashley Burd, winger Nicky Porter and midfielder Marc Stallard, who were all suspended, plus full back Dave Andrewatha and striker Tom Ward.
But with key defenders Paul McMullen and Gary Anslow back from their brief flirtation with Hednesford, Darren Beech making an impressive first start of the season on the right, David Howells working well on the left and, later on, some well timed substitutions including newcomer Adam Wood, Town played well throughout.
They dominated the opening 20 minutes, hitting the bar with a high cross-cum-shot from Beech before being caught out for the only goal of the game.
Mickleover staged a well-worked break down the right, dragging the Town defence out of position and then making them pay with a fast, accurate cross to the left, where Alex Steadman accepted a simple tap-in chance.
You've got to give it to 'em, it was good. Town keeper Andrew Spooner had little chance and if he did feel guilty he more than redeemed himself in the second half, with three brave saves to thwart similar breakaways while Town were battering away at Mickleover's defence.
Somehow, the home side survived a barrage of shots from all quarters plus some hectic goalmouth melees, including two ended by the ball being scrambled away to safety off the woodwork.
The final whistle was greeted with relief by Mickleover And if it's any consolation to Messrs Pryce, Murphy, and the rest of the Town camp, most of the home fans left asking each other: "How did we win that one...?"
