Greenalls PSO Reserves 0 Middlewich Town Reserves 0

GREENALLS PSO Reserves were held to a goalless draw at home to league strugglers Middlewich Town Reserves on Saturday afternoon.

The game was very slow starting, the first attempt not coming until the 15th minute, Greenalls’ leading scorer Ben McWilliams having his header comfortably saved by the opposing goalkeeper.

Greenalls’ Jonathan Leatherbarrow came closest next, nice link up play between himself and Ellis Houghton ended in the Middlewich keeper saving Leatherbarrow’s powerful volleyed effort.

Houghton was again involved in the next chance, flicking the ball on to McWilliams who played the ball straight into the keeper’s arms.

The final attempt of the half came from Houghton himself, a mazing run through the Town midfield and defence created space but his volley that followed flashed inches over the bar.

Once again, the start to the half was very slow after the restart.

Both teams were struggling to string passes together and failing to create any clear-cut chances.

GPSO manage to force a high number of corners in the second half, but failed to make anything of them as a combination of good defending and poor final deliveries prevented the home side from opening the scoring.

The first proper effort of the second half came from an unexpected source, left back Matt Gleave unleashed a 30-yard effort the was tipped over the bar by the visitors' number one.

Greenalls were unlucky not to be awarded a penalty deep into the second half.

Another corner was whipped in and the ball appeared to bounce straight off a Middlewich hand, but two separate shouts were waved away by the referee.

The home side piled on the pressure in the last ten minutes of the game, with Middlewich seemingly riding their luck and doing well to keep Greenalls out.

In the dying moments, a minor fracas on the touchline resulted in Greenalls' defender Gleave being sent off in what was a miserable afternoon for the league leaders.

Middlewich had clung on for a point despite failing to have a single shot on goal, but Greenalls will be disappointed that they couldn't find the back of the net.

Greenalls Chris Kiernan, Martin Snagg, Matty Gleave, Rob Clarke, Joe Woods, Phil Harrison, Liam Edwards, Neil Glendinning, Ben Mcwilliams, Jon Leatherbarrow, Ellis Houghton. Subs Leon Goulden, Connor Fogg, Jonathan Charnock.