Super League: We Hate Ben 1-2 AFC Glengower

We Hate Ben threw away the chance to get back into the title hunt with an undeserved loss to rivals AFC Glengower. WHB had the majority of chances in a scrappy game but failed to build on their second-half equaliser and found themselves suffering a second defeat on the bounce.

WHB lined up 4-4-2 with Matt L'argent returning to left-back and Jack Kelly on the left-wing. Fleming was passed fit to start in goal and Dave Norbury partnered captain Chris Webster in defence. Ian Hanmore-Farrugia moved into central midfield while the rest of the side continued from last week.

WHB started well and looked solid at the back, Rhys Jones had some joy down the right and of the two sides WHB looked more likely to score. Fleming was called off his line to clear on a couple of occasions but there was little attacking threat from Glengower. Chris Webster was booked for a reckless challenge on a Glengower winger and same player retaliated when he went in late but escaped a booking despite the obvious intent. The booking means Webster will now be unavailable for the next game against AFC Gwatch. Dave Turvill had a neat touch from a Jay Walker pass and hit a half-volley which flew past the post. The game finished 0-0 at half-time.

WHB continued with the same side after the break and the two teams continued to try and get their first goal. This happened for Glengower after twenty minutes as WHB found themselves on the back foot and Glengower won a corner. The ball took a touch from Glengower and hit the post, Kelly and Fleming both tried to keep it out but Kelly accidentally knocked the ball in off his back as he fell to the floor in the scramble. Andrew Rhodes on for Hanmore-Farrugia and then Ryan Muir replaced Turvill. Muir looked lively as he attempted to get a foot on the ball and spread the play. Muir hit a lobbed through ball into the path of R. Jones who struck the ball over the top of the Glengower goalkeeper and into the net for the equaliser. Kelly hit a half-volley over the top from a corner while Muir hit a long-range effort that smacked the bar. Fleming made a smart save to tip a header over the top of the bar from a corner and WHB switched to 3-4-3 as Ronnie D'sa came on for L'argent. WHB looked the more dangerous but a Glengower winger was left in space and found with a through pass with only five minutes to go. As the defence tried to close in on him and Fleming came off his line to block the angle, the winger manged to slot the ball under Fleming and score the winner. WHB again pushed forward to no avail and find themselves with one win in five league and cup games and a huge job on their hands to push for a top four place.

L'argent said this post-match: "I cannot believe that we have lost this, we will work harder in training to try and rectify this. It is important now that we keep our heads up and get back to winning ways as soon as possible, starting Friday."

Team (4-4-2, 3-4-3)

Fleming - Dodsworth, Norbury, Webster (c), L'argent - R. Jones, Hanmore-Farrugia, Davies, Kelly - Turvill, Walker

Substitutes

D'sa, Muir, Rhodes (used), Court, Edgerley, Robertson, Grosvenor, Amos (unused).

Goal: R. Jones

Man of the match: Dodsworth