Squires Gate 0 Colne 2

Colne earned a valuable three points in a hard fought end-to-end game at Squires Gate on Saturday. The Reds worked hard to soak up some early pressure in the first half and took control after the interval to create a bagfull of chances and emerge worthy winners.

The home side started the game on the attack and Colne keeper Harry Turner was soon in action to make a great save to keep out a goal-bound shot by Jack Coop after only three minutes. And four minutes later, Turner made another vital save as he pushed a shot by James Hughes round the post of the Colne goal.

As the Reds settled into the game, they began to compete more in midfield and a long shot by Storey after 20 minutes was only just wide of the home goal before Jamie Walker forced a save from home keeper Alex McLachlin. On the half hour, Alex Harvey's through ball released Dan Ajidagba for a run on goal but the advancing keeper blocked his shot in a one-on-one.

Finley Denning flashed a 35 yard shot just wide of the home goal before Gate came close at the other end when Ryan Riley's cross into the Colne goalmouth caused panic and the ball was eventually cleared off the line by Saul Guffogg.

With half time approaching, it was Colne on the attack and Jack Banks provided a great cross for Storey at the far post but his looping header dropped just over the bar.

As the second half began, Colne pushed forward and Banks' through ball released Barney Wiggin whose low shot was saved by the outstretched foot of keeper McLachlin on 56 minutes. And in the Reds next attack, Storey's angled shot came back off the crossbar following a short corner. As Colne continued to create chances, Ajidagba made a series of right wing runs and his angled shot was palmed against the bar by McLachlin.

After 67 minutes, Storey's diagonal ball into the goalmouth created an opening and Harvey was brought down in a challenge by McLachlin for the referee to award Colne a penalty. Guffogg converted the spot kick with a firm shot into the bottom corner to give the Reds the lead.

Colne continued to press with some excellent passing up front but Harvey blasted high over after an excellent build-up. And as Gate broke to the other end, it needed a great tackle by Guffogg to deny Riley a scoring opportunity. After 82 minutes, Gate were reduced to ten men when a late tackle by Zack Littler on Harvey saw him earn a red card.

The home side pressed forward desperately looking for an equaliser but Colne defended well with Wiggin heading away high crosses into the Reds area. And as the game went into added time, Wiggin broke at the other end on a through ball and held off a defender's challenge before slotting the ball under the advancing keeper to double Colne's lead.