Defeat in the opening pre-season game

Match Report - Colne 1 Wythenshawe 2

Colne put up a fighting performance against higher league opponents Wythenshawe on Tuesday night at the Haffners Stadium. Although the game was the first friendly of the season, it was played out in a fully competitive manner which provided a stern test for both teams. The Reds fielded a mixture of regular players from last season and a variety of trialists, all of which blended well.

Both teams created chances in an even first half and Reds keeper Harry Turner made an excellent save to keep out Brian Ly’s free kick after only eight minutes. Colne grew in confidence and after 20 minutes striker Trialist A fired wide after being put through into the visitors’ penalty area. And two minutes later, Colne’s Trialist B fired just over the visitors’ goal after Jordyn Fitton and Tristan Fitzpatrick had linked well to set up the chance. On the half hour Trialist C's penetrating run set up a chance for Trialjst B but again he failed to find the target.

With half time approaching, Wythenshawe threatened with some dangerous runs by Ashley Leather on the left wing and he played a one-two with a team-mate before firing a low shot into the far corner of the Colne net to give his side the lead after 41 minutes. And on the stroke of half time, it was Leather who again created the chance with a high cross that was headed home at the far post to double Wythenshawe’s lead.

Five minutes into the second half, Trialist D through ball released Miles Storey for a run and low cross into the visitors’ goalmouth where Trialist E appeared to be brought down by defenders but Colne’s claims for a penalty were waved aside. As Colne continued to attack, a free kick by Jak McKinlay into a crowded goalmouth put the visitors’ defence under pressure and the referee spotted an infringement and awarded a penalty to the Reds. But Storey fired the spot kick wide.

Wythenshawe looked to increase their lead as Leather made a good run on the break and set up Ly for an angled shot just past the far post of the Colne goal. The Reds defence did well to head the ball away under pressure as the visitors continued to attack and keeper Turner made a triple save to keep out three close range shots after 76 minutes.

But Colne still continued to create chances at the other end and had the ball in the net after 78 minutes when it was forced home in a crowded goalmouth following a corner but the referee decided that there had been some pushing and disallowed the goal. The Reds came close with another corner after 85 minutes which Sam Holt headed against the crossbar of the visitors’ goal. And two minutes from full time, Colne reduced the deficit when Wythenshawe failed to clear their lines and Alex-Ray Harvey forced the ball home for a consolation goal.

It was a useful run out for a first friendly played in a competitive atmosphere and manager Andy Harrison will have gained a great many positives from this performance.