By Martyn Simpson

Though Willenhall won the John Martin Memorial Cup, it was plucky visitors Bilston who emerged from the game with the most credit. They made a mockery of their league standing – some three divisions below the home side – to come so close to causing an upset.

Bilston’s former Willenhall manager Joe Owen will take heart from his side’s organisation and resilience. His side has much the better of an opening half where chances were hard to come by, and it was the plucky Steelmen who led by a solitary goal at the interval. Halfway through the first period, Mark Shiels needlessly raced out of his area in an attempt to hack the ball to safety, but the ball went straight to the feet of Steve Charlton, who placed the ball into the unguarded net from 35 yards.

The hosts failed to muster a single shot on target inside the first 45 minutes, as Bilston’s dogged defence held firm. The introduction of Paul Danks at the start of the second half helped swing the pendulum in the Reds’ favour, as suddenly there was a bit of urgency and quality about Willenhall’s attacking prowess.

Within a minute of the restart Nathan Jones fired a shot across goal but saw his effort tipped wide. On the hour mark, talented trialist Chad Sheppard found himself with no room to manoeuvre, but hooked the ball over his head and into Jones’ path. His goal bound shot was headed off the line, but within a minute the Reds hauled themselves level. A cross-field pass found its way to John Quilt, and his powerful effort was deflected into the net.

The chances continued to come for the Reds, as the visitors understandably began to tire. Former Bilston star Scott Voice came close to giving Willenhall the lead, with a free kick that was well parried to safety. A counter attack led by Nick Campbell should have put the hosts in front but he elected to shoot early when he could have either taken the ball on or passed to Dean Perrow who was well placed.

Next up to test the visitors’ rearguard was Sheppard, whose stunning 25-yard effort was well tipped over. With nine minutes to go, Danks thundered against the post and the game looked destined for penalties but a late strike saw the Reds edge in front. Voice clipped the ball into the box, and livewire Campbell headed against the bar but marksman Perrow was on hand to follow up from close range.

The visitors had a couple of late chances, too. A deceiving free kick from almost half way was well tipped over by Shiels, who by now was commanding his area better and kicking smartly. At the death, it was Shiels who saved the day for the Reds. He somehow held onto a close range effort that the visitors looked like they would convert to take the game to a penalty shoot out.

Reds assistant manager Larry Chambers said, “I thought Bilston acquitted themselves very, very well. However, we can take a lot of positives from our second half performance.”

The Cup was presented to Reds skipper Danny Rochester at the final whistle, and Willenhall also netted the winners prize of £750. They visit Chorley on Saturday as they continue their pre-season programme.

Reds line up: Shiels; Ellard, Heaney, Slater; Campbell, Derry (Danks 45), Rochester, Sheppard (Swann 80), Petty; Jones (Voice 61), Quilt (Perrow 73). Subs not used: Webb, Brady