Huntley 1 Sharpness 3

SHARPNESS got their Northern Senior League Division One campaign right back on track on Saturday, coming away from Huntley with a hard earned three points to move back into third place in the table.

On a very wet and heavy pitch Sharpness started the better of the two sides and after ten minutes took the lead when a corner from Thomas was headed home by the unmarked Halsey.

With the game developing into a very physical midfield affair it seemed that the contest was going to develop into a stop-start match with very few chances.

Then, within ten minutes, the match came to life when the Sharks went 2-0 up when a great cross from Gayner found Paterson at the far post who unselfishly headed the ball back across the box for Thomas to head into an empty net.

Then, just as the Sharks thought that they were beginning to take control of the game, Huntley hit back when their player-manager Matthews beat the offside trap and hit a brilliant shot into the top corner of the net to give keeper Groves no chance.

With two minutes to go to half-time Huntley thought they had found the equaliser when once again the ever dangerous Matthews carved out an opening for the Huntley number ten only for his shot to be brilliantly saved by Groves.

The second half started with Sharpness playing against a strong wind and expecting to be put under a lot of pressure but, surprisingly, it was the Sharks who were having the better of the play with Sherman and Paul dominating the midfield and Swift, Halsey and Frankham having inspired games in defence.

Midway through the second half manager Terry Gibbs sent on Malshanski for Gayner for only his second start on his return to the first team and from a good ball from Paul he made a great run down the left wing and crossed for Thomas, who in turn found the unmarked Paterson who was left with a simple tap in to make it 3-1.

With only ten minutes left Huntley threw everything at Sharpness in search of goals but could not find their way past a well organised defence.

After the game, Sharpness manager Terry Gibbs said: "This has been a great result today. It's never easy coming here and winning but today we've played in a very determined way and deserved to take the three points.

"We are still missing key players like Dave Nash and Pete Waite but all credit to the players who have come in like Nick Groves and Gary Gayner, their effort and attitude has been superb."

L Tomorrow Sharpness play host to runaway league leaders Lydney with a 3pm kick off.