Failsworth 3 - 3 Shawdale

A Second Half Capitulation, left Coach Wylie seething….

This wasn't the start to the New Year the visitors wanted. In total control in the first half and could of bagged half a dozen in the first 8 minutes.

Then to completely capitulate in the second half, that wasn't good viewing, leaving Coach Wylie speechless and angry.

It all started so well, infact playing some of their best football in a while. Within 2 minutes Shawdale were on the score sheet, as Durrants change of pace, saw him beat all the home side defenders and slot the ball home, after a ricochet off the home keeper.

Durrant could have had a hat full in the first 5 minutes, but had left his shooting boots at home. Chance after chance went begging. Eastmond and Dawson causing all sorts of problems on the flanks, with Holmes instrumental in the middle.

It wasn't until the 33 minute, until they struck again. A great surging run by 'The Rock' fed a great ball to Holmes, who cheekily lobbed the keeper from 20yards out.

Wave after wave of attacks resulted in nothing. Then from out of the blue, the home sides number 16 hit a thunderous 40 yard bullet, that hit the crossbar and rolled in.

Shawdale responded quickly as a great interchange of passes from Holmes, who fed Durrant to score his second.

All was going smoothly until on 44mins, when Failsworth were awarded a penalty, that was scored on the rebound , after Ellidge making a great penalty save. 3-2 at half time, then Shawdale fell asleep, leaving Wylie kicking, throwing water bottles, as he couldn't believe what he was seeing.

It was shortly after, the home side equalised, after a huge punt down field by the keeper, left the visitors defence at sixes and sevens, and was pounced on, for the equaliser to the visitors astonishment.

Shawdale had a few more chances to seal the game but came to no avail. The referee didn't help the visitors corner either, as two blatant penalties were turned down, one were a defender tipped the ball over the bar with his hand and the second a shot that clearly was knocked down by a defenders arm.

But really, it shouldn't of come to that.

If the visitors had sustained their original pressure and performance it would of been a walk in the park. But they did not, so lost ground on the leader and left licking their wounds, to the one that got away..

Coach Wylie was in no fit mood to make a post match interview.