Diggle despair as lead squandered

Photo: Chris Sunderland

IN-FORM: Ash Simpson (centre) played well for Diggle against Lepton Highlanders.

Diggle 3, Lepton Highlanders 4
FOOTBALL: DIGGLE surrendered a two-goal lead and ultimately slipped to defeat at the hands of Lepton Highlanders in Division One of the Huddersfield and District League at Egmont Street, Mossley.

Goals from Steve Scoltock and Ash Simpson in the game's first quarter gave Diggle what seemed at the time to be an unassailable lead, but individual defensive errors were to prove costly in the final reckoning.

The unavailability of regular central defenders Mark Lees and Joe Wolfenden meant that Diggle manager Richard Devy somewhat reluctantly had to select himself in the starting line-up, taking his place in the home side's back line. The absence of key players is proving to be an Achilles heel for Devy as Diggle attempt to kick start their season.

He said: "It has been frustrating because we never seem to have what we require week in, week out.

"Injuries and suspensions take their toll and there's the end of the cricket season to take into account when players are also out, but that is the same for a lot of clubs."

A further upset for Diggle is the fact that the club's home matches are now temporarily being played at Egmont Street because of the upgrading of facilities at Churchill playing fields, Diggle's regular home base.

But all that seemed trivial when Scoltock's close-range overhead kick and Simpson's ferocious drive from the tightest of angles put Diggle two up. Two goals in five minutes, however, brought Lepton level by half-time.

The visitors went ahead after an hour, but Diggle were level six minutes later when Jamie MacFarlane converted Simpson's cross from a couple of yards out. The killer blow for Diggle came with 14 minutes left, and the local side had only themselves to blame. Devy added: "I couldn't fault the effort and commitment of the players, but after being in such a great position at 2-0 up we lost it through individual errors."