Colne gained a well deserved point against Prescot Cables on Tuesday night in an end-to-end game. The Reds gave debuts to two new signings – hard tackling full back Chris Chantler signed from Ossett United and experienced midfielder Dave Sherlock signed from Atherton Collieries. Both went straight into the team as replacements for injured players and played a full part in the outcome of the game.
In the opening stages, the home side enjoyed some attacking play but the Reds soon settled and created chances of their own. After 12 minutes, Aidan Chippendale burst into the home area to the right of goal and his left foot cross to the far post was knocked away from the inrushing Brad Lynch to prevent Colne from taking the lead. And as Colne continued to push forward, Billy Hasler-Cregg’s cross was half cleared to Connor Hughes but his firmly struck shot from 20 yards flew wide of the home goal.
At the other end, Hakan Burton dealt comfortably with high crosses into his goalmouth and the Colne defence coped well with Marcus Poscha making a series of strong clearances from the Reds penalty area.
As Colne attacked on the half hour, Chippendale saw his shot blocked in the Prescot area before Sherlock’s inviting cross was cleared by the home defence. But two minutes later, the same two players combined to win a corner and when Chantler crossed the ball into the area, Prescot captain James McCulloch appeared to handle the ball prompting loud claims for a penalty from the Reds which the referee waved aside.
The second half began with some promising attacks prompted by Hughes to give Lynch openings for good crosses from the left wing. But as play swung to the other end, Alex Coleman did well to clear the ball off the toes of Josh Gregory as he burst into the Colne area and Poscha was again on hand to block Matty Hamilton’s shot from close range to prevent a goal for the home side.
On the hour, James Edgar saw his shot deflected just over the Colne crossbar but five minutes later at the other end, Eli Hey came close for the Reds when he forced his way through the home defence and saw his shot saved by Cables keeper Ollie Taylor. And as Chantler prompted more good attacks, Brad Knox tried his luck with a 35 yard shot that flew just over the bar to the relief of the keeper.
Both teams stepped up the pace in the closing stages in their efforts to break the deadlock and in the ninetieth minute, the Reds came within inches of a winning goal when Hasler-Cregg’s end-to-end run and cross gave Tony Donaldson a glimpse of goal and he beat defenders to the ball to fire a dipping shot that clipped the top of the crossbar with Taylor well beaten.
Manager Steve Cunningham will be pleased with this solid performance by his team and particularly with the new players who blended in well with the rest of the side.
Colne Team:
Hakan Burton
Billy Hasler-Cregg
Chris Chantler
Alex Coleman (C)
Marcus Poscha
Dave Sherlock
Brad Lynch
Brad Knox
Eli Hey
Connor Hughes
Aidan Chippendale
Tony Donaldson
X
Joe Coveney
X
X
Rio Wilson-Heyes
Matty Makinson