Lordswood 1  VCD Athletic  2

by Darrell Harman

FOR around 55 minutes it looked as if Lordswood might spring a massive upset. They took a seventh minute lead through Joel Melville, after Nicky Minshull flicked on a Nathan Nelson pass, and held it until the 64th minute, when the visitors showed why they are chasing honours with two goals in four-minute spell.

Home keeper Rowan Arnott was called into early action from a Dave Hassett shot, but once they went ahead Lords did a bit more than just hang on and almost doubled their advantage on 28 minutes when Minshull, with his back to goal 35 yards out, swivelled and volleyed only a fraction over the top.

A couple of scrambles in the home area were dealt with, while Casey Scotter and Gary Cook headed chances over for the visitors before the interval.

VCD started the second half well and Tom Bradshaw hooked over from close range in the opening moments. Another scramble ended with sighs of relief, while Arnott pulled off a cracking save from Hegley.

Hassett sidefooted wide from a great position before VCD got the equaliser they deserved in the 64th minute when a free kick into the area was headed on to Hassett whose shot was pushed away as far as Hegley who made no mistake from five yards.

Four minutes later Lee Maskell got to the by-line and his low cross evaded everyone except Hassett on the far post. He stabbed it past Arnott and that was that.