Amateur football: Eastwood is late saver

Nov 11 2008 by Mel Booth, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

AFTER an hour of heavy rain, dark skies and a biting wind, there was every possibility this first-round Cup game might be called off.

But the arrival of Savile United heralded a break in the weather and, by kick off, it was a couple of degrees warmer and the skies were bright and the rain had subsided.

Although Savile United sit at the bottom of Division II in the Under 17s without a single point for their efforts so far this season, almost every game has been lost by the odd goal and, with that kind of record, a first victory can’t be far away.

From the start, Brighouse looked the more dangerous but United, having survived a couple of near misses, failed to take notice of the danger and were eventually punished when the ever dangerous Matthew Eastwood was allowed too much time and space on the edge of the area to drive home the opening goal.

It finally sparked some action into United and, for the rest of the game, defenders Abas Arif, Hussain Kagzi, Qamar Farooq and Imran Patel made sure the Brighouse forwards were not allowed ‘free’ shots.

In addition to tightening up their defences, United were now enjoying an equal amount of possession yet, with both sides playing some highly entertaining football, the score remained unchanged until five minutes into the second half, when the large contingent of United supporters finally made themselves heard as Shuayb Patel drilled home the equaliser.

United’s team and supporters were now in full flow and and when Mohammad Munshi flicked a foot at Qamar Farroq’s corner, the ball crept in at the near post to send the travelling supporters into a frenzy of good-natured chanting and cheering.

Brighouse were now in danger of being swamped as United made the best of their dominance and, after rattling the bar with an effort from 15 yards, Munshi pounced on a mis-kicked clearance to drive the ball through a crowded penalty area to extend the visitors’ lead.

Brighouse looked down and out but when Gary Widdop volleyed home a right wing cross it was enough to restore his side’s hopes and, within five minutes, Widdop scored his second to put the home side back on level terms.

Having seen their two-goal advantage disappear, United were determined not to go home empty handed and they looked to have done enough to secure victory when, with just fve minutes left on the clock and both sides tiring fast, Patel broke free on the left to fire an unstoppable shot into the top corner.

But the game was not over yet and one final effort from Brighouse paid dividends as Eastwood snatched another equaliser seconds before the final whistle.

Unfortunately, the weather had not allowed for extra-time and, with the skies blackening and rain starting to fall again, referee Howard Young was left with no choice but to abandon the game which will be replayed in a few weeks time.