Willington Cottles 0, Huntsman 6
By Craig Woodhead
Following lasts week’s postponed Heart Foundation Cup game against Gainford, The Huntsman were back in League action on Sunday away to Willington Cottles.
A Number of regular were missing due to the derby which forced manager Neil Dodds into several changes as; Connor Halford, Carl Bates, Shaun Sproates and Nathan Wintour all came into the side.
The first goal came as an early ball from goalkeeper Wintour found Ryan Mercer on the left hand-side. He hit a long, arcing cross field ball to Reed Molloy, who produced an excellent turn before firing high into the Willington net.
The Huntsman struggled to make possession count following the early goal, and it appeared as though they would enter the break with a 1-0 lead. However, Dave Neale picked up the ball just outside the opposition half and his effort forced a mistake from the Willington Keeper to make it 2-0 at halftime.
The goal before halftime certainly appeared to galvanise the away side, as only a minute after the break, a great piece of work down the left from Molloy provided Shaun Sproates with a tap in from close range.
It was a case of roles reversed five minutes later, as this time Sproates’ superb left wing cross found Molloy at the back stick, and his looping header hit the back of the net.
The fifth goal came courtesy of a penalty, when man of the match Connor Halford was hacked down in the Willington box. Up stepped substitute Anthony Harrison, whose penalty was fired low in the bottom right hand corner.
The Huntsman continued to dominate and hit the post and bar before the Willington keeper expertly turned away a Lee Redpath pile driver on the half volley from all of the thirty yards; but the scoring was completed when a deep corner found Dave Neale, who made a trademark back post run and his header beat the Willington Goalkeeper via the post.
Another excellent performance from the lads, especially the three youngsters who stepped up the plate, Molloy grabbing his 15th and 16th goals of the season while Mercer and Halford were constant threats throughout. The Huntsman face the same opposition this Sunday at Simpasture Park (10.30am) aiming for a similar result.