WILLENHALL TOWN TEAM LINE-UP:-

1. Jordan Ellis,
2. Michael Clarke,
3. Dean Humpage (c),
4. Andre Calder,
5. Jemiah Richards,
6. Matt Dorgan,
7. Harry Rickus,
8. Aaron Wong (off 61min),
9. Craig Oldfield,
10. Danico Johnson,
11. Alvin Brown.

sub

12. Aghaz Mohamhed (on 61min).

Threadbare Willenhall started the better of the two teams when 16 year old debutant Alvin Brown combined with Danico Johnson to set up Craig Oldfield, his effort was deflected wide on five minutes. Jamie Russell then did well to head a sixth minute free-kick behind as Willenhall continued their good play. The home side broke well down the right but Andre Calder put in a great challenge and won the goal-kick for good measure. However, on 11 minutes all of The Lockmen's good work was undone as Les Alderton tucked home a rebound from close range after Jordan Ellis had made a fine save. Jaton Vernon then fired wide for the visitors two minutes later after good work down the Shifnal left. The visitors threatened again on 16 minutes when Aaron Wong did well to get in a cross to the far post to the waiting Johnson. Howver he blazed his second effort over after his firat attempt had been well blocked. ustin Worthington then comfortably cleared the bar for the home side as play swung from end to end. Combative Harry Rickus then forced a 23rd minute corner which saw Danico Johnson deliver into the box, Michael Clarke saw his effort fly just over. Charlie Knowles then delivered a free-kick into the box on 33 minutes, but this was cleared with difficulty, though it did allow Willenhall to break upfield where they won a corner. From the flag-kick Johnson saw his tame header blocked on the line. Three minutes later and Rickus was unlucky when a storming run across the box saw him evade five Shifnal players before he worked an opening and fired goalwards, home keeper Graeme Hampton sprawling down to his right to push away. Jordan Ellis then denied the home side a second with a good save.

HT SHIFNAL TOWN 1-0

The home side made a bright start to the half as Ellis was forced into three good saves to keep the score the same. Rickus again fired at the keeper before the home side doubled their advantage through Jamie Russell, he danced through three tackles before firing beyond Ellis' reach into the far corner. Brown, who had been a handful throughout in midfield with his close control and clever tricks finally magaed the chance to cause trouble in a dangerous position, he got clear of three men before swinging over a dangerous cross that was just too high for two onrushing Lockmen. A third goal then arrived on 66 minutes when a break down the right involving Russell, Glynn Coney, and finally Charlie Knowles saw the latter fire home from the edge of the box. Calder then blocked another effort on the line as the home side scented more goals. Ellis made one more fine save before conceding a fourth. A suicidal back-pass from Mattie Dorgan was then latched onto by Callum Pugh and he lifted the ball over Ellis. On 71 minutes, Calder charged forward past three men from half-way before seeing his effort deflected for a corner. The Lockmen should have scored on 82 minutes when Rickus made a long run into the box and was fetched down, unfortunately after dusting himself down, his tame effort from the spot-kick was never going to trouble Hampton as soon as the keeper had dived the right way. Brown was then just wide of the mark on 84 minutes before Ellis made another fine save. From the next attack, however, Shifnal sub Graeme Couch managed to glance a header past Ellis, only for Michael Clarke to get back and clear spectacularly off the line. Pugh then hit a post in stoppage time for Shifnal but there was still time for Ellis to make one last defiant save to prevent a fifth.

FT SHIFNAL TOWN 4-0 WILLENHALL TOWN

ATT 55