Batley 1 - 1 Westwood Jets
Sunday 13th September 2009
A culture shock for the Jets who had to begin the game with 10 men and no orange shirts as the other players and kit made their way through the labyrinth streets of Dewsbury and Batley. And Batley made their early advantage pay with a well-crafted goal, a cross from behind the Westwood defence finding the far post for a tap-in. With an extra player on the pitch, the Jets fashioned a scoring reply only to fall foul of the offside trap - and not for the last time!
With new shirts on, the lads emerged re-energised for the second half. Despite having to keep a much larger goal this season, Jacob Ashbrook had a superb game, catching crosses and smothering shots. As the half wore on with the Jets in the ascendent, Batley were restricted to counter attacks. They are quick going forward but Patrick Henry and Matthew Wardman in defence matched them for pace and alertness. Full backs Elliott Gelder and Callum Armitage worked hard in support but also pushed forward and it was Callum who supplied the cross for the hard-charging Kieran Walton to head home.
Midfielders Lewis Goldsborough, Ross Kelly, James Leedale and Adam Perry now had control and, with strong and intelligent support from Jake Dawson and Connor Thompson on the wings and a sparkling Dominic Anderson up front, they created chance after chance. That these didn't quite go in shows the lads still have some adjustments to make for the new pitches, goals, positions and rules. But it was a really encouraging end to the first game of the season, a point gained and a platform to build on.