Report

Louth Town marked their return to football with 3-1 win over a depleted Askern Villa side. The team from South Yorkshire were forced to field a make-shift eleven after seven players were unable to make the trip. However, Villa went a goal up within 10 minutes before Wood, Flint and Kennedy scored to secure the 3 points.

Both teams started the game well, with early chances being created at both ends. Sherlock blazed a chance inches wide of the goal for the Villa before Kennedy showed his quality when he turned the opposing right back inside out before shooting wide from a narrow angle.

To the surprise of many it was Askern who broke the deadlock on 9 minutes with a Mauambu tap in. Wherry failed to deal with a weak shot from Rollins which Mauambu followed up to put the visitors ahead. It was a poor way to concede a goal in what was a lively start.

Louth responded to the goal in decent fashion, moving the ball around patiently before looking for the opening. Kennedy was giving Towler plenty of problems on the left but it was Norton who came the closest with a header on the 6 yard line which fell just the wrong side of the post.

The following 10 minutes were largely uneventful and Askern were looking good value for their lead. Mark Wood forced a fingertip save from Copley in goal with a shot which seemed heading for the top corner. On the half hour mark Rafferty mas unmarked at the far post but his header was caught comfortably by Wherry.

With 10 minutes to go in the half Louth upped the ante and levelled things up on 35 minutes. Wood swung in a trademark cross which was meant for Norton but to everyone’s surprise evaded everyone and flew into the goal untouched.

Louth were continuing to find joy down the left hand side when Norton shrugged off his markers before crossing to Kilmore whose header forced a spectacular save from Copley.

The comeback was complete before the end of the half as Flint finished after good work from Kennedy. Kennedy wrestled Gibbons off the ball before squaring it unselfishly to Flint who had an easy tap in and made no mistakes.

The second half was a rather drab affair which was bogged down with misplaced passes and petty fouls. The heavy pitch didn’t help but both teams were unable to carve out many chances.

Louth did almost added to their lead however when Kilmore dribbled at the defence before laying it off to Norton whose effort was hit at the keeper.

With only 11 men in the squad, Askern were visibly tiring and they struggled to cause a threat. Louth were the most likely to find the net again and came agonisingly close when Norton had a shot cleared off the line and Broughton spurned the chance on the rebound.

Louth put the icing on the cake with a Kennedy strike on 88 minutes. The ball fell loose after a corner and Kennedy smashed the ball home from 8 yards to secure the points.

The match was kindly sponsored by Pocklington's Renault of Louth 

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