WEST AUCKLAND 1-2 SUNDERLAND NISSAN
Friday 9 November, 7:30PM, League
Following on from Seaham, yet again West Auckland deserved but gained nothing after falling to two goals - one either side of the half time. Bryan Stewart did pull one back with 2 in 2 in the League although West were unable to make a crucial second break through.
The game began with Nissan pushing from an opening from the outset - Lee Hutton doing well to make a save from a shot from the edge of the area. Both sides then cancelled each other out for large periods.
Wets Auckland came close to opening the scoring in the 21st minute when Scott Nicholson's looping header was just over the bar. Nissan responded with a couple of shots that did not trouble the goal whilst West began to make an impression going forward.
In the 35th minute Bryan Stewart's shot flashed across the face of goal after a good move and West further showed their positive intentions with a quick free kick that resulted in Danny Richmond's shot being well held.
However when Lee Hutton could only punch half clear, Andrew Bulford volleyed the ball into the net to give Nissan a lead a minute before the break.
West Auckland responded positively at the start of the second half. Dale Jardine rushing his opportunity after a long ball forwarded before flashing a shot the wrong side of the post. In the 54th minute Jamie Middleton was well picked out at the back post only the defender ended up hitting the ball wide off his shin.
It looked as if West were likely to get back on level terms before Nissan turned up another gear and gave the hosts a mountain to climb. Firstly Richard Hodgson's fizzing low shot was pushed wide from Lee Hutton and following the corner, with West desperately trying to keep the ball from goal, Justin Keegan's shot was deflected over Hutton to extend Nissan's lead (56th minute).
West Auckland gave themselves a great chance of a comeback by snatching one back in the 61st minute when a cross found Dale Jardine who in turn picked out Bryan Stewart and the midfielder hammered his low shot past the keeper from close range.
A minute later it was nearly the same combination to unlock the Nissan defence again as Jardine led a charge resulting in his deep cross finding Stewart at the back post, this time though he could not get enough power to head into the goal and the keeper recovered to hold onto the ball.
Nissan were dangerous with their ariel presence and came close to increasing the lead with a header across the face of goal. 10 minutes from the end, West came within inches of equalising with a headed opportunity of their own as Brian Fairhurst's free kick was flicked goal wards by Ian Maddison.
West Auckland had deserved a point from the game but could not quite find the way through. Their luck was clearly out when with the last kick of the game Jamie Middleton's volley was deflected into the keeper's grateful arms as Nissan held on.
1. Lee Hutton, 2. Michael Waller, 3. Brian Fairhurst, 4. Ian Maddison, 5. Jamie Middleton, 6. Danny Key, 7. Bryan Stewart, 8. Scott Nicholson, 9. Dale Jardine (14. Lee Ellison 83 mins), 10. Danny Richmond, 11. Kevin Bromley (15. Neil Robinson 59 mins)
Subs Not Used: 12. Stuart Owen, 16. Bradley Woods