Shelley’s Under 17 side ended Deighton’s run of five wins from their last five games in convincing style 6-2, but it was no easy game for the Storthes Hall club.
Deighton made a blistering start to the Division II clash and Shelley could only admire the speed and power of their opponents as Hassan Said tore through the defence to place a shot into the bottom corner of the Shelley net inside three minutes.
Moments later the visitors almost doubled their advantage with an identical move, but this time keeper Sam Ogden made an excellent save.
The danger was not over yet and only Anand Sohal’s goal line clearance prevented Taiq Hussain from scoring with a header from a Reece Gregory corner.
Shelley were in danger of being swamped and desperately needed some leadership as Deighton piled on the pressure which is where Tomi-Mac Creagan stepped up to prove his qualities as captain.
With lots of pointing and barking instructions, suddenly the Deighton supply line was cut off and Shelley were in the game.
With the defence re-organised, midfielders Kemble Blackburn and Chris Capone were able to take control and it was a Blackburn corner that provided Shelley’s route back into the game when the Deighton defence only half cleared, Michael Wilton was able to drive a shot through the crowded goalmouth into the bottom left corner to level the scores.
With play now moving rapidly from end to end, Sipan Rajad went close to restoring Deighton’s lead with a far post header from a Tariq Said cross but the effort rebounded from the woodwork.
But it was the home side’s turn to take the lead when Harvey Cayten turned home a corner from close range on the half hour mark.
Deighton’s solid back line of Darius Krol, Raston Dengure, Hamaad Sultan and Levi Hardy looked as if they would withstand Shelley’s increasing dominance until the half time break but a hand ball was spotted by referee Russell Kaye who had no hesitation in awarding a penalty.
Keeper Connor Steele did well to parry Creagan’s spot kick but Jake Surry reacted fast to plant the rebound into the back of the Deighton net to give Shelley the luxury of a 2 goal advantage at the break. Tom Webster had shown little of his skills up to now but, as the second half unfolded, there was no doubting his ability. A well weighted Callum Carmody defence splitting pass allowed Webster time to place a measured shot beyond the onrushing keeper’s reach for his first goal of the game.
At 4-1 down Deighton needed a response and moving Connor Steele from keeper into forward seemed as though it might do the trick when Fido Cassim and Hassan Said combined to set up Steele who drilled a shot into the roof of the net to give the visitors a lifeline.
The goal clearly set alarm bells ringing for Shelley as fears of a Deighton late rally set in but, with the visitors committed to attack, Tom Webster took advantage of the extra space, first, turning 3 defenders to fire home a fifth for Shelley.
Then, he completed a fine personal hat trick with another measured shot into the bottom corner to put the result beyond further doubt – Shelley now move above Deighton into second spot in the division.
