WEST AUCKLAND TOWN 0-2 SUNDERLAND NISSAN

(Saturday 21 October, 3:00)

West Auckland suffered their first defeat in 9 matches in a keenly contested League game, which saw 2nd place Sunderland Nissan leave with the points.

It could have been a very different story had Lee Ellison's first minute shot not been straight at the keeper after good work by Mattie Moffat. Nissan's David Tait will feel he should have done better with a 2nd minute lob over Mark Bell that was too high before Gavin Cogdon fired into the side netting. Ian Maddison headed over in the 14th minute before Brian Fairhurst fired well wide after initial good work by Dale Jardine. Maddison fired over a 33rd minute chance blasting over Ellison's lay off. However hearts were in mouths in the 35th minute when Mark Bell dropped a corner and the ball eventually rolled to Nissan's right back but he fired wide from 10 yards. The visitors had penalty claims turned down after Steven Stewart appealed he was fouled by Danny Richmond in the area.

West responded when Michael Heckley's deep ball into the area found Ellison, he flicked the ball to Jardine who was unfortunate to see the keeper hold onto his powerful volley. Danny Key fired across goal before half time narrowly to far ahead of Moffat for the forward to apply the finishing touch. West though had Bell to thank for a good reaction save in first half stoppage time when Cogdon beat Leigh Grant and when his shot was deflected Bell had to push away the ball at his near post.

The second half began with Bell having to hold onto Stephen Capper's long range shot before Cogdon put Sunderland Nissan ahead with a composed finish in the 48th minute. Cogdon's pace and trickery were causing the defence problems and he could have doubled his tally in the 76th minute but his weak shot was easy for Bell. However West were not so fortunate 6 minutes from time when the forward, (Cogdon) held off went through the middle of the defence and coolly slotted in the 2nd under pressure. There was time for Mattie Moffat to turn his defender but only saw his shot comfortably saved as the hosts never looked like pulling back the 2 goal deficit.

Team
    1 Mark Bell
    2 Michael Heckley
    3 Danny Key
    4 Jamie Middleton
    5 Brian Fairhurst
    6 Leigh Grant
    7 Lee Ellison
    8 Danny Richmond
    9 Mattie Moffat
   10 Ian Maddison
   11 Dale Jardine

Subs Used
    Darren Kokes
    Andy Cole

Subs Not Used
    Kevin Bromley
    David Bayles
    Phil Owers