Familiar tale of missed opportunities

A familiar tale of missed opportunities contributed greatly to this latest reverse on the road and the Nailers have now lost as many league games as they did all of last season.

Traffic hold-ups coupled with the problems of finding a new ground in a remote location meant that Belper’s preparations for this game were less than ideal.

A delayed kick of by 15 minutes at least allowed the Nailers to put out close to their strongest side, but Anthony Wilson had to be satisfied with a place on the bench after failing to arrive in time.

It was a nondescript opening 20 minutes or so as both sides took time to measure each other up, but once Belper got into their stride they created four very good chances in the space of 12 minutes.

Ben Walker intercepted a poor throw from Market Drayton ‘keeper Andy Pryce and was soon on to it before laying the ball square to the unmarked Lee Stevenson (pictured).

Belper’s leading marksman proceeded to lift his shot over the cross bar with just the ‘keeper to beat.

Stevenson was then sent clear with a pass from midfield and hit an angled shot just wide, and in the 29th minute he turned provider by pulling the ball back to Dean Oliver who saw his effort touched over the cross bar.

Stevenson was back in the thick of it a minute later when he was faced with a one on one with Pryce, but the ‘keeper frustrated him by stopping the shot with his legs.

The Nailers were punished for missing those chances when against the run of, play the home side took the lead when David Howells’ speculative effort dropped over Adam Ogden and went in off the underside of the bar.

Lee Stevenson was on target again in the 51st minute with a shot that Pryce stopped brilliantly from the angle, then Andy Rushbury’s free kick 5 minutes later saw the ‘keeper ride his luck as the ball bounced awkwardly.

Market Drayton had not long since had an effort disallowed, when David Howells extended their lead in the 67th minute with a shot from 15 yards that sped under Ogden’s body, leaving the Nailers exasperated considering the possession and chances they’d had.

Anthony Wilson’s introduction had added options to Belper’s attack and in the 69th minute he heralded a spirited fight back with a good header, equally well saved by Pryce.

And in the 73rd minute Wilson reduced the arrears with a powerful header from a right wing corner and it appeared as though the Nailers were right back in it.

The Nailers threw everything they had at the home side, but a series of corner kicks, free kicks and countless attacks proved to be fruitless, and not for the first time this season the Belper reflected on valuable points dropped.

Market Drayton Town: Pryce, Francis, Griffiths, Anslow, McMullen, Humphries, Porter, Haynes, Bowyer (Gates 88), Davies, Howells. Other subs: Askey, Spooner, Stallard, Timmis.

Belper Town: Ogden, Harcourt, Haigh, Naylor, Colliver, Adams, Walker, Stevenson, Oliver (Warren 81), Hudson (Wilson 64), Rushbury (Fedorenko 72). Other subs: Kearney, Pride.

Referee: A M Garratt (Walsall)

Attendance: 93

Nigel Oldrini

Photo Gallery courtesy of Tim Harrison Photography:
http://www.timharrisonphotography.com/NailersAction/MrktDrytnA0910/index.html