The Blues went into the match hoping to reverse the defeat by Maltby on the 1st day of the season. With Mitchell unavailable, Carl Spencer partnered Kevin Mabon, Mick Allsop and Joe Pheasant in the middle of defense at the expense of Ian Wheat and Nathan Watson made his first start since returning from injury.
Right from the start the tussle between Nathan Parker and Lee Mellon was going to have a big impact on the game, the Maltby captain scored the winner against the Blues in the earlier encounter. Maltby had the best of the first quarter without really troubling Gavin Saxby and both defenses looked comfortable. Mabon thundered powerfully over the bar and Watson nipped in front of Maltby keeper Bailey but lost control when it seemed he would score left the half time score 0-0.
The Blues started the 2nd half camped in the Maltby final third but were having difficulty breaking them down. It was in the 50th minute that the deadlock was broken. Watson beat his man and squared to Mabon, his shot was blocked and the ball fell to Adam Newton who made no mistake. With confidence high the Blues had their best spell and it came as no surprise when they increased their lead. Mabon found Adam Newton at the far post who cut past the full back and was dragged down with a clumbsy challenge leaving the referee no option but to point to the spot. Spencer stepped up and calmly curled the kick in the top corner.
This spurred Maltby into having a spell of possesion and from a free kick on the 18 yard line, Mellon blasted towards goal which Saxby tipped over safely not taking any chances with the wet ball. The game petered out towards the end with the Blues winning comfortably and pleasing that the clean sheets are returning.
Parker won his battle against Mellon leaving Kelvin Mushambi some space in midfield.Although Allsop only lasted another 45 minutes, its clear his presence on the pitch is massive at the back as is Mabon's upfront. MOM would have gone to Parker if he had his passing boots on but he shares it with Mushambi who between them won the midfield battle.
TEAM:- SAXBY MURDOCK McGINTY PHEASANT ALLSOP (WHEAT) ADAM NEWTON PARKER MUSHAMBI MABON SPENCER (LEEK) WATSON (SHANE NEWTON)
Referee Alex Harvey
