Fourth blank is dampener for Fold

Elton Fold 0 Springhead 0

THE only drought anywhere in the country at the moment must surely be in Elton's 'goals for' column as they clocked up a fourth consecutive blank in what was also their fourth scoreless draw of the campaign.

The Fold faithful, there was another healthy-sized crowd, are certainly having their patience tested as they await the ripple of a net, preferably the opposition's.

The players' couldn't be faulted for effort and committment though, but that isn't quite enough to win games at this level as that vital touch in front of goal, together with a slice of luck, are both still absent. That 'rub of the green', or lack of it, was never more evident than in the 35th minute when Stefan Shaw's low drive from 25 yards out slipped through the hands and legs of young Springhead 'keeper Richard Mason, who was then very fortunate to see the ball stick on the line as he

turned to pounce on it.

On another day it would surely have trickled into the net! Mason looked decidedly dodgy for large parts of the game as he flapped at a number of high balls into the box, but with the help of last ditch clearances from his colleagues, often on the goal line, he did enough to prevent Fold breaking their duck.

His opposite number Steve Crossley, however, was once again in top form, especially in the last ten minutes when the visitors threatened to steal the points after Fold had totally dominated for most of the second half. Luck was with him, no more than his performance deserved, with one of the 'stops' being a close-range header that hit him on the shoulder before coming back

down off the crossbar and into his thankful grasp.

But it was pure good judgment in the very last seconds of the game when Springhead's Danny Self broke through the Fold rearguard and rounded the Elton 'keeper only for Crossley's outstretched arm to pinch the ball off Self's toes and help gain the point his team, at the very least, deserved.

Add to that a last ditch back-headed clearance from John Price a few minutes earlier and Springhead were thus prevented from snatching a victory that would have been so cruel on the Fold.

Up until then Elton's three-man back line had continually thwarted Springhead with a very efficient offside trap, pushing up quickly which also allowed the midfield to get forward and support the front men.

Consequently the defence had only one real anxious moment in the first half when, in the 20th minute, a mix-up gave the visitors a golden oppportunity that was somehow put the wrong side of the post from the six-yard line.

Although the sticky conditions meant that flowing football was at a minimum, it showed that 'route one' can also be very effective if played correctly.

This was perfectly illustrated in the 55th minute when Keith Ingham dropped deep and unleashed an exquisite long ball between the two Springhead central defenders for Steve Smith to run onto.

Smith bore down on goal and into the box, but just as he was about to pull the trigger the outstretched leg of a trailing defender just got a touch to the ball and diverted it for a corner.

Fifteen minutes later came Elton's best chance of the match as Smith this time became provider when he did extremely well to wriggle through two opponents on the dead ball line before pulling the ball back to the edge of the box to the unmarked Steve Proudfoot.

But the midfielder spoilt an otherwise fine individual display by blazing his effort over the bar with only Mason to beat and so Fold had to settle for a point when on

this occasion it should have certainly been three.

The Reserves game at Wythenshawe Amateurs Reserves was postponed for the second week running due to a waterlogged pitch.

Tomorrow Fold are at home to Monton Amateurs, whilst the Reserves make the short journey up Bolton Road to face Breightmet United Reserves. Both kick-off's are 2.00pm.