A tale of two penalties as Tadley beat Cowes (From Basingstoke Gazette)

A tale of two penalties as Tadley beat Cowes

8:00am Saturday 4th February 2012

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TADLEY continued their great start to 2012 as they enjoyed a great 1-0 victory over visiting Wessex League division one mid- table side Cowes Sports last Saturday.

The home side had to reshuffle their line-up, which saw forward Ian Cadman play at right back for the first time in his career and turn in a useful performance.

It looked like the visitors would open the scoring when they were awarded a penalty for a push in the box, but Darren Maunder produced a great save to keep the score at 0-0.

After the break, Tadley took the lead as young forward Lee Neal produced a super run from his own half and was brought down in the box.

Up stepped his strike partner Pete White to make no mistake from the spot to give the home side the lead.

After that White had another chance to double his tally, but shot just wide as the Tadley were good value for the victory.

Winning boss Danny Dolan was delighted and said: “It was a fantastic three points against a very good side. I was really pleased with the performance and every player went out then and put in a shift.

“When the ref blew for their penalty I thought he was going to book the forward for diving, but Darren Maunder, who I think is the best goalkeeper in this league, made a brilliant save.”

Sadly, Tadley were unable to build on this success away at Fleet Spurs on Tuesday night.

The hosts took the lead with a scrambled goal from a long throw after 12 minutes and that proved to be the winner in a poor game of football. Tadley’s best chance fell to White but he blasted well over after Ian Cadman had nicked the ball from the Fleet goalkeeper.

This weekend, Tadley have a tough trip to sixth placed Andover New Street. They are managed by former Whitchurch boss Brian Drury and have only lost one of their last seven league games.