Liversedge 2 Albion Sports 0

LIVERSEDGE used the derby factor to great effect as they pulled off a shock victory over top-ten outfit Albion Sports to jump above rivals Thackley in the process.

The result belied Sedge’s position in the Toolstation Northern Counties East Premier Division after they began the day as the lowest placed of the three local representatives in the top tier.

It was a shock result in more ways than one, and home fans must have wondering by how many goals they would be beaten by, as Albion pressed from the first whistle. But they struggled to turn their dominance of possession and territory into goals.

Sedge’s last league victory had come at home to Maltby Main on the first day of November and they had picked up just one point from a possible 15 since.

Albion were looking to make it three wins from four league games and to get back into action after the reverse fixture at Throstle Nest the previous Saturday had been postponed.

Sam Dobbs, the experienced keeper brought in by Sedge boss Alan Colquhoun, turned in a man-of-the-match display. It was his heroics that ensured the first half remained goalless and Colquhoun’s side netted twice in the final 12 minutes to snatch the points.

Tom Jackson broke the deadlock when he ghosted in at the far post to convert a Brook Newton corner. With Albion pushing forward in search of an equaliser Sedge seized possession and launched a rapid counter-attack that ended with Andy Wood making the game safe two minutes from time with a good strike.

All of which stunned Albion boss Kulwinder Sandhu, who said: “If it had been a boxing match the referee would have stopped it before 70 minutes to prevent further punishment.

“We hit the bar, hit the post, their keeper made some unbelievable saves and we had what I thought was a stonewall penalty turned down. Levi Maturine went through late on and was fouled in the area but the ref gave nothing.

“Even after that Danny Facey went through one on one but their keeper made yet another great save. I’m very disappointed because we deserved more from the game but that’s football.”

Sedge spokesman John Hewitt said: “It was a very good win because they are a top side. Sam made some great saves and they (Albion) will rue the chances they missed.”