Jarrow 1-0 Willington (26/09/2020)

 

Northern League Division Two

26/09/2020 - 3pm Kick Off

 

Jarrow 1-0 Willington

 

41’ Lennox |

 

The 6th league game of the new season saw Willington who were aiming to go top of northern League Division Two with a win, travel to Perth Green to play a Jarrow team who had suffered a 4-1 defeat against Bedlington at home only 3 days earlier.

Dave Bell gave a first league start to Graeme Mcall in midfield and the Blue & White Army welcomed back Kris Allen & Adam Lennox after a spell on the side lines for the pair.

Into the action and it was the visitors who started the brighter with Willington breaking down the right and forcing keeper Jak Wells into a block save that he parried away to safety. That was to be the theme of the game however as Jarrow swiftly countered and Adam Lennox who was played in down the left could only tamely lob an effort towards the middle of the goal that was easily dealt with.

Full back Phil Gray then combined well with Kai Elliott down the left hand side and the latter played in Lennox whose sharp strike was turned round the post by Robinson in goal.

The home side were beginning to assert themselves on the game and after three consecutive corners Jarrow were starting to play the kind of football they had promised during pre-season. Typically, after that pressure however it was Willington who almost opened the scoring as the Jarrow defence backed away and failed to close down the striker who managed to get his shot away and only the post saved Jak Wells in goal before the ball was hacked away.

Again, though a Willington chance sparked the home side into life and Nick Little chased a ball down the right before sending over an inch perfect cross onto the acrobatic volley of Adam Lennox whose shot was well saved by Willington’s keeper.

Then came the moment that decided the match. A back pass from the left full back went across the keeper and he wasn’t able to control it properly and as it rolled under his foot the instincts of Adam Lennox woke up and all he needed was a sniff of danger. He latched onto the loose ball and sliding forward prodded the ball home. 1-0 Jarrow.

Willington had two decent chances before half time came with Jak Wells saving low down to his right from a vicious shot from outside the box and Willington’s number 10 then fired agonisingly just over the bar.

Into the second half and the visitors once again came flying out of the blocks with a through ball finding the number 10 who was thwarted one on one by Jak Wells who kept the score line 1-0 to Jarrow.

Only a few minutes later and Jarrow lost the ball in midfield and Willington raced towards Jak Wells goal only for the keeper to stick out a leg and deflect another one on one chance behind for a corner. Jak Wells making two match winning saves in 7 second half minutes.

Willington rightly will feel they should’ve snatched an equaliser but it was then the home sides turn to feel that they should’ve doubled their lead. Glen Hargrave swung over a great cross from the right and after setting himself for the header Adam Lennox could only direct the ball wide of the post. Lennox then repaid the favour for Glen as the two linked well again before Hargrave dragged hit shot wide.

Another chance then fell to visitors as a snatched shot from the from the tireless number 11 was saved low down by Jak Wells.

The wood work was then once again smashed as Adam Lennox jinked inside and out and saw his left foot shot hit the upright and land safety for Willington. 

Josh Elcoate then struck a left foot that was again well saved and Jarrow managed to see the game out for a massive three points. While the game was scrappy at times both sides produced some good football and created some great chances. Both sides will feel they missed opportunities but the game was played in a great spirit and was a great Division Two spectacle for the supporters who were clad in their face coverings and were battered by strong winds for 2 halves of football!

 

Att: 96