FOOTBALL: HIGHGATE gave a good account of themselves at table topping Coleshill Town on Monday evening, eventually losing 3-2.
Despite being on top for long periods of the game, Gate were left to rue a poor defensive performance in the opening half which saw them concede three times.
A pair of second half goals reduced to deficit to just one goal, but Gate lacked the final end product to come away with what would’ve been a deserved point.
Coleshill showed glimpses of why they are amongst the favourites for promotion with spells of physically strong play, numerous attempts on goal and playing possession football.
Gate started Monday night’s game brightly with Lei Brown setting up Connor Mooney for a half chance which was fired against Hathaway’s legs.
Mooney following Mooney’s strike by grazing the top of the cross bar from wide on the left.
Without being troubled, Gate found themselves behind on 17 minutes following a goal against the run of play.
Catlow making an excellent save from Jordan Nadat only for Ryan Edmunds to react first by hitting the 20-yard rebound low into the keepers bottom left hand corner.
Gate had their chance to equalise when Lei Brown was sent clear. But he failed to trouble Coleshill keeper Hathaway.
Town then doubled their lead on 25 minutes when Dean Rathbone curled a 20-year strike beyond Catlow’s reach.
Things could have been made worse when Catlow was forced into a brave double save from Reece Leek and Nadat while at the other end Aaron Brown hit a dangerous shot over the face of goal.
Coleshill’s third goal came five minutes before half time when a scramble in the box saw Catlow harshly punished for an alleged infringement.
Rathbone comfortably converted the penalty.
Though Gate faced an uphill task, they started the second half in positive fashion – and on 56 minutes they had pulled a goal back when Josh Hawker spread his pass wide, allowed Mooney to force the ball home under the keeper’s body.
Gate’s deficit was further reduced just three minutes later when Hawker slipped a ball through for Marco Adaggio to beat Hathaway with a clever lob.
Aaron Brown curled his 20-yard free kick high with 30 minutes remaining while Town used the counter attack to create their remaining chances.
Though Coleshill were content to run down the clock, Hathaway was forced into a solid save following an Aaron Brown header in stoppage time.
FA Vase update
AN FA hearing resulted in Whitchurch Alport being thrown out of the FA Vase following Saturday’s postponed game.
The Shropshire side fielded an ineligible player in their previous round clash against Pershore Town.
Pershore have been reinstated and will visit the Coppice for a cecond qualifying round fixture on Tuesday, October 3, at 7.45pm.
The winners to visit United Counties League side Rushden and Highgam on October 21 in a first round fixture.
This coming Saturday Highgate entertain Coventry Sphinx at 3pm.
