Campbell goes Badger hunting

Willenhall Town 1-0 Eastwood Town

By Martyn Simpson

In the absence of manager Rob Smith, Larry Chambers was given the opportunity to pit his managerial wits against namesake Bryan, of Eastwood Town. A solitary Nick Campbell strike was the difference between the two sides, in a closely fought contest at Noose Lane.

The opening half was largely forgettable, but both sides had their moments. Matt Webb volleyed narrowly wide following a Luke Bradley cross, followed soon after by a Campbell half volley on the turn which was just off target.

When the Reds did have the ball in the back of the net, man-of-the-match Paul Danks’ neat finish was chalked off courtesy of a late offside flag. The Badgers should have taken the lead at the end of the opening period, with Peter Knox bringing the best out of stopper Mark Shiels.

A revitalised Willenhall took the lead just four minutes into an intriguing second period following a stunning solo effort from livewire Campbell. Surrounded by a posse of defenders, he somehow wriggled into some space to fire a low drive beyond a disparaging Danny Bryant.

Campbell could have sealed the win late on, regaining his balance after being initially muscled off the ball. However, he managed to jink his way into the box, but fired wide of Bryant’s post.

The visitors will perhaps feel unfortunate to have lost the game however, as they rattled the bar twice in the last ten minutes, and squandered several other half chances, but the new look Reds defence held firm to ensure a narrow victory.

“It was a good workout for us, and there are a lot of positives to take from the game.” Chambers commented afterwards.

Willenhall continue their pre-season campaign on Tuesday 26^th July, with a home game against neighbours Bilston Town in the John Martin Cup.

Line-up: Shiels; Ellard, Heaney, Slater; Campbell, Bradley (Petty 45), Rowe (Goodison 76), Swann, Webb (Derry 45); Voice (Quilt 58), Danks (Jones 71