Wadebridge 1 Foxhole 1

[Darin Morse]

Wadebridge 1 Foxhole 1

Tuesday 3rd August 2010

Other than a difficult 25 minute spell early in the second half when Wadebridge forced the visitors onto the back foot, Foxhole again acquitted themselves well against Premier division opposition, although they were grateful for a contentious 84th minute penalty to secure the draw their gutsy performance warranted. With both Griffin and Rowe unavailable, Friendship and Body formed a diminutive yet pacy forward line which showed some potential, while Warne's decision to return full-time gave a timely boost to a squad looking thin on numbers.

Adam Holland's thunderous drive which crashed against the bar within five minutes set the tone for an entertaining opening half, during which the Foxes were to create by far the better opportunities despite possession being shared fairly evenly between the teams. After 16 minutes, Hurst flapped lamely at Bird's centre, but Kempthorne was unable to keep his shot down, while Whetter's decisive pass twenty minutes later was seized on by Body who was sent sprawling by the keeper, only for the referee to mysteriously wave play on. Soon, a speedy attack saw Body cleverly release Friendship, whose intelligent chip rebounded off the far post, while Wadebridge only had Ashley Menhinick's long range effort which flew just past the upright, and Squires' booking for a dreadful challenge on Ralph, to reflect on at half-time.

However, the change of ends appeared to inject more belief into the home team, and Grylls, taking advantage of Foxhole failing to adjust quickly to 4-4-2, immediately saw a dangerous cross fly across the face of the goal. Ashley Menhinick was then also cautioned, presumably for dissent, before his namesake Paul found himself in the clear only to drive the ball against Ryan Holland's legs. Insley's effort from a similar position shortly afterwards was weak, too, but he was to make amends when converting Squires' free-kick just after the hour, following Conibear's foul on Grylls. Within moments, Paul Menhinick should have sealed victory, but, in the context of his impressive recent scoring record against Foxhole, his finishing was again poor.

Wadebridge's failure to turn sustained pressure into goals allowed Foxhole to regain the initiative. Bird, under pressure from Carhart, poked wide at the near-post, before the same player crossed beautifully for Warne, whose volley was disappointing. Soon after both Adam Cudmore and Grylls had gone close within seconds of each other after first Ralph, then Friendship, had been caught in possession, Poole was adjudged to have fouled Bird, and Whetter confidently despatched the spot-kick. As Foxhole strove for a late winner, emergency striker Grose set up Body to lob against the bar, the third time Hurst's woodwork had saved the day, before Poole then bravely blocked from Bird, and Beesley bundled Ralph's stoppage-time header off the line.

Foxhole (3-5-2): Ryan Holland; Jeff Dillon, Lee Whetter, Bradley Ralph; CJ Bird, Jason Warne, Michael Kempthorne, Adam Holland, Kieran Conibear; Kyle Friendship, Michael Body.

Subs: David Grose, Ross Pinhammer.

Wadebridge (4-3-3): Ben Hurst; Sam Gerken, Simon Poole, Adam Cudmore, Leighton Carhart; Ashley Menhinick, Dayll Beesley, James Cudmore; Martin Moon, Glen Squires, Paul Menhinick.

Subs: Josh Insley, Paul Grylls, Will Daley.

Referee: Mr James Strout (Port Isaac).