NEW Street are still looking for their first league win of the season after going down to a freak goal at home to Pewsey Vale on Friday night at Foxcotte Park.

It was typical of Street’s luck so far this season that they again dominated for large parts of the game but were unable to find the target and were beaten by a header which came back off the bar and went in off keeper Dave Witcher’s shoulder.

Paul Reidy was once again short of squad players, including the unavailable Dave Tasker, which meant a return to action out of retirement for Witcher, who this season has been managing Lee Filters from the sidelines in the Andover Sunday League.

He was soon in action with a fine save to deny Dan Sloan before Lewis Brown shot wide then, at the other end, Shane Lock was close with a header. Street were equal to anything Vale could throw at them until Tom Ritchie’s looping header came back off the bar and went in off the unlucky Witcher.

Ritchie then almost took advantage of some poor defending but could only find the roof of the net a minute later but Street came back strongly and Lock and Liam Wilkins combined with Harry Lawton before Wilkins shot wide.

Moments after the break Witcher produced a stunning block to deny Sloan, who had latched on to a long punt from keeper Richard Payne but he was left all at sea within a minute as Brown was brought down in the area by Steve Turner but Ritchie gave Street a lifeline by blazing the spot kick into the adjoining field.

Street sensed they could get something from the game and Wilkins had a header against the bar then Lock was wide with another effort but they were often left open at the back and another error let in Ritchie but he again missed when well placed. Ten minutes from time Wilkins went close with the last real chance and the final whistle brought audible delight from the visitors.

Street boss Reidy said: “We should have had eight or none against East Cowes and again tonight we missed chances and played some great football but we can’t buy a win.”

Tomorrow New Street go to Fleet Spurs in the league.