Report

Tideswell Utd Bluestar travelled to Edale on Saturday looking to bounce back from their shocking display the previous weekend. The games between the two clubs had been fiery affairs in recent season and this one had the potential to be similar.

Edale began the game playing down the notorious slope and looked to get the ball forward as quick and direct as possible with the front pairing of Alan Pickford and Lee Candlin. It was Pickford who created Edale’s first break as he found time to turn on the right hand side of the pitch, after losing his man John Heathcote quickly closed down allowing Pickford to drop the shoulder and accelerate away from the Bluestar fullback. Pickford’s cross was defended well and cleared for a corner. This seemed to shock Tideswell into life and they started to get a foothold in the game, Crespin and Hanson particularly dominating the midfield battle. On the occasions that Edale pumped the ball forward the Bluestar rearguard led by debutant Alan Poole more than stood up strong.

The end result could of been very different had the home side taken the one clear cut opportunity they had in the game, a hopeful punt forward was controlled well by Pickford who then exchanged passes with his supporting midfielder. As the forward continued his run, a coming together with Poole saw both players tumble in the box and the very good Phillip Roberts awarded a penalty. Pickford placed the ball on the spot but saw his spot kick sail high and wide as Tideswell survived a scare.

At the interval the message was simple, keep it up and be patient and all credit to Leaning’s team they did just that. From goalkeeper to forward’s the team worked hard for each other as they harried opponents into mistakes and upon receipt of possession showed intelligent interplay throughout midfield and the energetic front pairing of Adam Styler and Will Francis. Indeed it was Francis that chased a seemingly lost ball into the Edale final third that pressured a nervous defender into a clattering tackle inside the Edale penalty area and once again Referee Roberts pointed straight to the spot. Skipper for the day Tim Crespin took on his duties and calmly dispatched the ball into the impressive Ben Candlin’s bottom right hand corner to give the away side the lead.

Bluestar continued to press and had chances to double their lead mainly through Gary Tait but the left sided player couldn’t pull the trigger with his right foot when twice through one on one with the keeper, but it wasn’t to matter as the referee brought to an end a very impressive team display from the visitors.