9:51am Wednesday 21st July 2010
By Sports editor Kerry Miller
THE ANNUAL Dango Tournament, played each year in memory of New Street player Glenn Anderson, got off to a flying start on Tuesday in front of a good crowd at Foxcotte Park as Whitchurch just edged out the home side by the odd goal in seven.
Both clubs have new managers with New Street’s Vinnie Rusher and United’s Jim Macey both dipping their toes in the pre-season campaign but it was Whitchurch who took the spoils, but not before being taken all the way by New Street who refused to give up.
They were dealt a blow inside a minute when Alex Campbell was stretchered off with a knee injury after falling awkwardly but within five minutes they were in front as Danny Sullivan found room to sling over a cross and Liam Edwards hammered home a peach of a half volley on the turn. Dave Tasker then denied Callum Budd with a stunning reflex save but two minutes later Whitchurch were level when Alistair Brown put Brett Denham in and he finished with a neat lob from a tight angle.
With the sides meeting on the opening day of the league season in a fortnight, Macey had fielded a second string attack but it was still potent and on the half hour Denham set up Nick Willcock and his control and strike was too good for the home defence. It should have been all over just before the break when Willcock again broke clear but Tasker again kept his side in the game with a fine save. New Street were playing their part with veteran defenders Stuart Anderson and Shevron Fisher doing well to subdue the lively young United attack but minutes after the restart it seemed all over as Budd set up Tom Pemberton and he nudged home the loose ball to make it 3-1.
Darryl Robinson was denied by keeper Paddy O’Brien but then on the hour the home side were back in the hunt for a place in Saturday’s final when Edwards’ cross was deflected into his own net by Adam Amiable. Within two minutes the lead was two again as substitute Chris Smalley beat the offside trap and lobbed Tasker from 18 yards to seemingly close out the match. Rusher had taken himself off to be replaced by Ryan Rolph and he had a shot parried only for Edwards to follow up and drill in Street’s third from a tight angle to set up a grandstand finish.
Sullivan then brought a fine save from O’Brien low down to his left but the equaliser would not come and Whitchurch took the spoils and booked a place in the final against either Andover or Thatcham Town, who played last night (Thursday).
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