United Dominate but Have To Settle For A Point

Only One point for United when it should really have been all 3, they dominated possession and territory and really only have themselves to blame for not winning the game. In the early stages the Reds forced a series of corners, each one whipped in at pace causing trouble for the Kiveton Park defence. It was 15 minutes before Kiveton had a shot on the United goal and that only came about as they seized upon a misplaced pass. On 18 minutes United launched a terrific counter attack involving Liam Winfield and Steve Ellor, the ball then reached Ainslie Finney but his shot went wide, moments later some good combination play between Ellor and Adam Winfield saw the latter get in a good shot which just missed the target.

United continued to press with the Kiveton goal keeper just cutting out a decisive pass from Paul Mills with Ellor closing in, Liam Winfield was also beginning to impress with some penetrating runs both central and down the right. Finney then forced a good save from the keeper after being fed the ball by Adam Winfield. Ryan Scott in an unfamiliar midfield role was causing a few problems with his height as balls were crossed into the penalty area, he almost got on the end of a Liam Winfield free kick but under pressure the ball bounced loose and the opposition keeper was first to react. United finished the first half still on top though Kiveton defended staunchly and did manage to produce the occasional threat when they managed to get forward.

Half Time United 0-0 Kiveton Park

The second period continued in the same vein as the first, a cross from the right towards the far post was met by Adam Winfield and looked destined for the goal but a slight touch by the keeper turned in onto the inside of the post and it rebounded clear. Ryan Scott got his head to the ball at a corner but under pressure put his header wide. On 60 mins Neil Spruce came on as sub for Finney and almost immediately opened the scoring but saw his shot blocked. Kiveton were still sporadically threating the United goal and a mix up between goal keeper and defence almost gifted them the lead but United managed to clear. Jack wood was also causing the visitors a few problems down the right but saw his efforts unrewarded. Ellor then had a shot saved and the rebound came to Spruce, who, with a clear sight at goal put his shot wide.

For all the pressure United should have gone behind on 70 minutes when a mix up between United Keeper Ben Priestley and Martin Lawton saw Priestley react slowly to a forward ball, the ball then ran clear for a visiting attacker to put the ball in the net however to United's relief and surprise the referee deemed Priestley had been fouled and disallowed the goal. Though not happy with the decision this gave Kiveton confidence and they followed this setback with a great move down the right, a cross came over and was met with a firm header which thankfully Priestley saved. As the game entered it's final stages Ellor had a header saved and Ross Petty forced an fantastic save from the visiting keeper after he got the ball from Martin Lawton. The final chance for the Reds came as some intricate play between Ellor, Mills and Spruce saw the ball cleared for a corner however time ran out and for all their pressure United had to settle for a point.

Final score United 0-0 Kiveton Park