Archive - Thursday, 5 December 2002


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Gala wilt under Siddington pressure

AFTER a fortnight of inactivity, Siddington got back on the winning trail with a 2-1 victory away to Gala Wilton on Saturday.

And the final result was as straightforward as it appears.

With Gardiner called into action, due to the late withdrawal of Hammond and Ollie, Sykes took over the manager's duties.

And with the teenager Knobbie called into the squad, Sykes had to reshuffle the pack.

Both sides started slowly, but the first chance fell to Siddington which Harkness put just wide.

This was to be the pattern of the first half as Bezzer put wide from same position before Harkness again sliced his shot.

Although the score remained goalless until half-time, the visitors thought they were due a penalty when Harness appeared to be unfairly upended by the Wilton Gala keeper.

Although the pattern of the second period mirrored that of the first, Siddington did create further chances and Gala were reduced to the counter-attack.

However, the visitors' first goal arrived after 20 minutes when Bezzer coolly finished under the keeper following a sweeping move.

By now, Siddington looked well in control. Edwards and the dynamic Norman twins were full of running with the ever impressive Sheen snuffing out any chance Gala had of scoring.

Harness then broke the shackles of his marker and advanced goalwards. The keeper came out, but Harkness lobbed the ball over his head and into the corner.

Norman snr and Lloyd had chances to extend the lead, but it was the defence that finally earned Siddington the points.

When Mead was withdrawn through illness and replaced by Knobbie, it unsettled Siddington a little and Gala reduced the arrears.

And when Gardiner pulled up lame, it left captain Norman to join Sheen in defence to hold out for three very had earned points.

Marlborough Arms man of match went to Alex Sheen.