Northern Premier League Division One South - THE MATCH

Willenhall Town 1-0 Spalding United

Nick Robertson 61

'Nicked the Basement Points' - Official Match Report

For the first time in twelve games, Willenhall Town recorded a victory to earn a valuable three points.
The leagues bottom two sides started off slowly, with only efforts from Spading’s Luke Forbes and Willenhall’s Nathan Howells, after a good ball forward by Michael Robertson, troubling either goalkeeper.
It took until the 33rd minute for the next effort of note, and even then, it was only a lack of communication between Matt Jones and Andre Calder that allowed the ball to evade them both, before it eventually went just wide.
2 minutes later, Spalding’s Billy Oliver should have done better from 12 yards, but his shot was straight at Jones.

Half time: Willenhall 0 Spalding 0

The second half was a much livelier affair, with Oliver’s good cross just missing Alex Fitzgerald, who was well placed.
The breakthrough came on 61 minutes. A goal kick from Jones bounced to Howells, who showed some good skill to work his way into the area, before perfectly picking out the run of Nick Robertson, who had a tap in from close range.
Spalding almost hit straight back, as a corner from the left saw a flicked header go just wide, whilst Willenhall almost added a second after good play down the right set Nick Robertson clear, this time Michael Emery managed to save the shot.
Spalding had two excellent opportunities in a row, firstly Fitzgerald was set clean through, but Jones came off his line well to block at the strikers feet, and 2 minutes later the keeper was alert after the ball bounced past both centre backs. Jones blocked the initial effort, before the rebound was fired into the side netting.
After both Andy Toyne and David De Oliveira struck shots over the bar, Fitzgerald had Spalding’s best chance of the game, but when unmarked from 6 yards, he could only head over the bar.
Willenhall almost sealed the game in the 85th minute, as Howells shot from the edge of the area went just over the bar.
Spalding almost grabbed a late equaliser in the second minute of added time, as a header from a corner went inches wide.

Willenhall line-up: Jones, Roofe, Brown, Griffiths, Calder, O’Kelly (Pomroy-Crowe), M. Robertson, Whitehouse, Howells, N. Robertson (Igori), Yearwood (Nicholls).

Spalding line-up: Emery, Cox, Field, Smith, Piergianni (King), Legendre, Forbes, Toyne, Fitzgerald, De Oliveira, Oliver (Hone).

Attendance: 63

THE MATCH - Willenhall Town 1-0 Spalding United - IN PICTURES