Kirkheaton 1 Shelf Panthers 2
This was FA Cup Third Round weekend – the traditional season for feats of heroic giant killing – and some of that magic had clearly found its way onto the pitch at Kirkheaton.
On paper, it looked like a complete mismatch. Kirkheaton had only lost one League game all season, winning three of them by margins of 15, 13 and 12 goals. The Panthers, on the other hand, recorded their only victory of the campaign more than three months ago. And when the teams met in September, Shelf were thumped 8-2 at home.
But the Panthers confounded the statistics by putting on a magnificent battling display which saw them clinging on to win a hugely entertaining game.
Man of the Match Cameron Wells performed heroics in the Shelf goal with a series of fine saves and two outstanding ones – a punch over the bar from a free-kick which was heading for the top corner on the stroke of half-time and a reflex dive to his left to tip the ball round the post after 38 minutes.
A minute later, the Panthers were ahead through a delightful goal made by Tom Wood. He latched onto a loose ball on the edge of the Kirkheaton penalty area and steered it first time into the path of striker Tobias Mears. Tobias - bravely playing on despite a nasty first-half thigh injury – made no mistake from five yards out for his ninth goal of the season.
Five minutes later, Kirkheaton were level, forcing the ball home from close-range in a crowded penalty area following a corner from the right.
The home side must have fancied their chances of going on to win the match, but Shelf came back strongly with wave after wave of attacks. Ryan crashed a free-kick against the post from 25 yards and Ross almost turned the rebound in. Then Scott had a shot fingertipped around the post by the keeper after the ball pinged around the Kirkheaton penalty area.
The Panthers finally got their deserved winner ten minutes from time thanks to Robert’s blistering pace. He latched onto a through ball and outran the defence before being fouled in the box as he was about to score. Ryan blasted the penalty hard and high through the goalkeeper’s hands.
After that, Kirkheaton threw everything forward, but a combination of calm goalkeeping and last-ditch defending kept them at bay.
It was all almost too much for coach Tony Williams. “Where’s the nearest hospital? I’m going to have a coronary,” he gasped in those last frantic few minutes.
He later refused to comment on speculation that a top Australian club are trying to lure him with an offer of an unlimited fabric conditioner budget.
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