FOOTBALL: HIGHGATE continued their rise up the Midland League Premier Division table after picking up a valuable point away at eight-placed St Andrews.
The visitors dominated throughout Saturday’s contest but were unable to find the all important breakthrough after they were held to a 0-0 draw.
Ashley Pulisciano’s side were just missing that crucial cutting edge up front and wasted a host of chances against a physical home outfit who defended in depth to claim a point.
Scott Turner returned to action for Highgate following his suspension in place of James Loney in the heart of defence and the visitors made a bright start on their first ever league visit to St Andrews.
Home defender Eliot Putnam could consider himself lucky when slicing McCauley Manning’s cross over his own bar while Nathan Pulisciano set himself up for a shot which he fired weakly into the side netting.
The promising start continued with Josh Hawker stinging keeper Warren Butlin’s fingers from 20 yards out and with the hosts so far posing very little threat there was to be no breakthrough when the half-time whistle sounded.
The second half followed in the same pattern as the first with the visitors well on top against their uncompromisingly rugged opponents.
Butlin stood his ground by using his shoulder to keep out Marco Adaggio’s well struck effort and Manning was wasteful when putting an opportunity off Trevor Edwards’ pass high over the bar.
A rare St Andrews attack saw Bunn called into action to keep out a 20-yard effort by Shay Brennan before another chance went begging as the usually reliable Lei Brown drove Pulisciano’s cross over the bar.
Bunn was then forced into a double save in denying Toby Warner at close range while at the other end the home side were forced into desperate defending.
Chris Johnson twice had volleys charged down, Adaggio‘s shot on the turn was deflected behind and Brown’s cheeky lob was well dealt with by Butlin.
Highgate had what looked like a stonewall penalty turned down seven minutes from time when Johnson was brought down inside the box but a free kick was awarded and Hawker brought out a smart save from the unsighted Butlin.
On Saturday Quorn are the visitors to Tythe Barn Lane before Highgate entertain Westfields on Tuesday.
