Luck Needed

 Willenhall Town's good run continued with a hard fought victory against a well-drilled and disciplined Grantham Town side. Grantham started the better side and played some very neat and controlled passing football which kept Willenhall on the back foot for long periods of the first half. A very strong defensive display, superbly marshalled by Captain Gavin Owen kept the visitors at bay and against the run of play Willenhall took the lead when Dan Lewis beat the offside trap and smashed the ball high into the net from 15 yards out. Seconds later it was 2-0 when Dan Lewis tried his luck from 18 yards out. The keeper parried the ball to the feet of Chad Nicholls who slotted the ball home. Grantham's efforts were finally rewarded when Lewis Poole reduced the deficit right on the stroke of half-time. The Second half started with Willenhall now looking the brighter team of the two, bossing the midfield and being more creative down the wings. One such phase of play lead to the third goal. A good run down the right by Dan Lewis was abruptly halted when he was wrestled to the ground by the left-back. A minor melee followed which could have easily seen red cards brandished to both sides but the Referee, to his credit, calmed things down and ended up showing just one yellow to a Willenhall player. From the resulting free-kick near the right-hand corner of the area, George Crowe floated the ball beyond the 'keeper and into the far top-corner of the net. The two-goal lead didn't last for long though, as Grantham kept pressing and once again pulled a goal back through Liam Storey. With time now running out, substitute Lewis Perry played a wonderfully weighted through ball to Louis Anglin who calmly lifted the ball over the advancing keeper and into the net to make the score 4-2 in Willenhall's favour. The final score, although deserved on the day, does not do full credit to the way that Grantham played good passing football and yet again, Willenhall's solid defence proved to be the foundation that this victory was built upon. Well done lads and good luck for the remaining games to Barry and his players.