Tarporley 2 Grappenhall Sports 2

GRAPPENHALL Sports hoped to end Saturday back on top of the Cheshire League Division One table.

Their first point on the road this season was welcome in achieving that goal, but it was not the result they wanted as Malpas and Congleton Vale are breathing down their necks with two games in hand.

Jordan Rigby levelled matters for Sports at Tarporley and Denico Walters put them ahead, only for Tarporley to respond and gain a share of the spoils.

The day was marred by Billy Anderson suffering multiple fractures of his elbow during the second half.

Grappenhall manager Darren Davies said: “I really felt we needed to come away with three points.

“We played well in patches but we were too open at times and we missed some magnificent chances.

“We need to go on another run and get some back-to-back victories and our away form has to be better.

“The major downer was the injury to Billy Anderson. It’s another serious one to add to the injury list.

“I feel sorry for Billy, he’s been in good form and we will miss his experience.”

Tarporley opened the scoring on 12 minutes when Sports, holding a high line, were caught out at the back.

Chances came and went for Walters, Rigby and Tom Swann before a brilliant drive from Rigby made it 1-1.

Rigby again came close when he shook the bar from close range, and Adam Rosterne then had a free-kick headed off the line.

A brilliant Matt Ball run and cross was slotted home superbly by Walters as Sports moved in front in the second half.

Odi Koubemba had a brilliant header saved and from the rebound Dan Sisson was thwarted by the keeper.

At the other end Tarporley continued to be a threat and four defenders were beaten when the right winger cut in and slid the ball low past keeper Gareth Powell.

One long throw led to Tarporley hitting the bar with only five minutes left, and Sports missed two chances of their own at the death.

Sisson headed low, only to be denied by the keeper, before Koubemba put a free header wide from eight yards.