Willenhall Town 2 Belper Town 0

Two late goals enabled Willenhall Town to forget their weekend defeat against Stocksbridge and ended a rare goal less spell that had stretched over the past two games.

In a tight encounter, Belper will rue a number of missed chances as the Nailers strived to continue their unbeaten away record in the league, but in the end it was the power of striker John Quilt who helped engineer the Derbyshire side’s downfall and a late second from Hednesford midfielder Daniel McGhee continued the Red’s climb up the Unibond Division One table.

Belper created the first serious chance of the game when they slipped past a square Willenhall defence and as keeper Nathan Vaughan advanced Tom Betteridge hurriedly fired over the target. Vaughan was then called upon to produce a fine block as Belper increased the pressure on the home side and new signing Wael Nazha could have celebrated his debut on the score sheet, but the former Eastwood Town striker blazed a free kick wide.

A half chance from the recalled Martin Myers near the end of the half was the best that the home side could conjure up, but his instant volley from a Matthew Webb lay off was screwed wide.

The second period was more even as Willenhall tightened up in midfield and the introduction of on-loan McGhee added more bite to the home sides play. That was to pay dividends in the 69^th minute as Webb provided a teasing cross into the area and a slight hesitation from Gary Ingram gave Quilt the advantage in the air to flick a well directed header past the stunned keeper.

Belper doubled their efforts now they were left chasing the game and the play became far more open with chances starting to flow. Substitute Justin Tyrell had Ingram scrambling across goal with his long range effort that flew just wide of the upright, whilst Vaughan was again in action grasping a downward header from Michael Allsop.

In stoppage time, Willenhall made the points safe with a classic counter attack. Vaughan played the ball out to Myers who raced past a stretched Belper back line and his early ball into the box was rewarded when McGhee thundered in a close range effort to end the Nailers resistance.

Willenhall are now in FA Cup action this coming Saturday when they play hosts to Barwell in the First Qualifying Round. Kick off at Noose Lane is 3pm

Russell Brown
Willenhall Town Press/Programme Editor

Belper Report

Belper slumped to their first defeat on their travels this season at UniBond League new boys Willenhall Town.

It could have all been so different though if the Nailers converted their first half chances.

Gary Hayward brought Anton Foster back into the side after his absence against Mossley, replacing the suspended Ben Walker. Wael Nazha continued up-front, and there was a debut handed out to Tom Betteridge who came in for Shaun Murray.

Betteridge was released through on goal on 16 minutes when he latched on to a Danylyk through pass, but his chip just cleared the bar.

On 26 minutes Betteridge’s incisive pass found Micky Lyons, but goalkeeper Vaughan rushed out well to block.

On 31 minutes, Wael Nazha blasted a free kick just past the angle of post and bar. Vaughan’s weak goal kick came straight out to Nazha, but the Lebanon international should have done better with his effort, firing his shot harmlessly wide.

Belper were attempting to play their customary brand of attractive and creative football, but in their way stood a Willenhall side intent on playing an unsightly route-one game.

It may not have been the purists choice, but to Belper’s downfall, it was to prove effective in the second half.

Anton Foster skipped past three advancing challenges on 52 minutes to get to the bye line, but his cross could not find a Belper player.

On 70 minutes, Belper found themselves behind.

A speculative cross deceived Gary Ingham and the ball fell to Quilt who turned the ball into the net.

Belper were playing catch-up, and made two attacking substitutions with Dave Kettle replacing Betteridge on 75 minutes, and Micky Allsop being thrust up-front on 83 minutes.

Allsop went agonisingly close just after his introduction, his header forcing a fine save from Vaughan.

But with the Nailers in desperate search for an equaliser, the game was put beyond them on 92 minutes.

Willenhall cleared the ball from their penalty box and broke down the left, and the ball found substitute McGhee’s path for him to score, sending the Nailers home with nothing