Wilmslow Albion’s first league game in three weeks saw the
Oakmen draw 1-1 against East Manchester, after Kieran Casey cancelled out the
East Manchester opener. Wilmslow made three changes from the last game in the
Murray Trophy against Tintwistle Athletic, as Jonny Cregeen was in net in place
of Jon Moran, Lee Arnold was back in defence in place of Louis Mundin and Kieran
Casey was up front in place of Charles Yeboah.
East Manchester had the first chance within the first 20
seconds, as the number 8 had a shot stopped by Cregeen, before the number 9’s
effort hit the post and Wilmslow got the ball clear. Wilmslow would then have two
opportunities a minute later, as Casey chose to square the ball for Joe Kirk
but it evaded the left wing back and Ibra Thiam had an attempt blocked. Both
teams were having shots on goal in the early goings of the match, a long-range
effort from East Manchester’s number 9 was brilliantly tipped over by Cregeen
with his fingers, before Casey headed it over the top five minutes later. East
Manchester’s number 7 fired a shot over from the D, before Aidan Hussey and
Kirk both had shots blocked and a resulting corner saw Hussey fire over.
Wilmslow would have more of the chances in the final 20 minutes of the half, As
Thiam played the ball across the box from a free kick which Kirk headed over
and then Tom Crompton had a shot from a tight angle saved by the East Manchester
goalkeeper. Callum Knight then produced a fantastic ball from the centre circle
to play in Thiam, who muscled out the East Manchester defender, hit a shot on
his weaker foot but the keeper made a good save. Wilmslow then had a big chance
right at the end of the half, as a counter attack goes out wide to Crompton, he
cuts inside, laid it to Casey who had his shot bounce off the post and cleared.
The first chance of the second half saw the number 6 for
East Manchester head the ball from a corner just over the bar, before the same
player then produced a great touch and turn but his shot went narrowly wide of
the keepers left hand post. Wilmslow then produced the best chance of the match
so far, as a corner from Kirk was met by Knight and his header went agonisingly
wide. Knight had another chance minutes later, when he got around the back of
the defence from a Danny Pearson free kick hit long, but as he stabbed it
goalwards, the keeper saved well to prevent the midfielder from scoring. Casey
is then denied after fantastic defending from the East Manchester goalkeeper, denying
the striker as he was about to pull the trigger. East Manchester then took the
lead against the run of play, as the visitor’s number 10 struck the ball hard
and Cregeen couldn’t quite hold it.
But two minutes later, Wilmslow were back on level terms.
Nick Collins played the ball forward to Kirk, the left wing back sprinted down
beyond the opposing full back, played a cross into the corridor of uncertainty
and Casey tapped it in to bring the Oakmen level. Wilmslow Albion had one more
opportunity to win the game, but Casey’s flick on from a Kirk corner could only
be diverted over the top of the bar.
Wilmslow Albion produced a strong display but could only come
away with a point in the home fixture against East Manchester. Wilmslow Albion
had more of the chances in the game but couldn’t convert the chances into goals.
Managers Oli Tarpey and Danny Smith will be hoping the chances could turn into
goals in future matches. Wilmslow Albion’s next fixture sees the Oakmen at home
again, where they play Middleton Colts.
