Carlton Town 2 Kidsgrove Ath 2 - Grove earn point at Carlton
Kidsgrove put an end to a run of four defeats, gaining a point from a hard-earned draw at fourth-placed Carlton Town.
With Nick Ward having left the club, Mark Beeston partnered Wayne Johnson in the centre of defence and Athletic also included the experienced Dave Bridgwater in midfield, having secured his signing from Chasetown. Dave Walker being injured and Ross Davidson suspended, Karl Charlton played just behind Andy Kinsey in attack for the Grove.
The home side started brightly with Terry Hawkridge firing over the bar in the second minute and Daniel Fletcher seeing his shot go wide of Hodgson's upright shortly after. Kidsgrove responded as Danny Griggs crossed to Steve Brannan whose shot was blocked by Danny Marshall, the keeper just managing to gather up the loose ball before it fell at the feet of Kinsey.
Hawkridge was again in the action on 12 minutes after a probing run deep into Athletic territory, but the end product was poor as his wild shot was never going to cause Hodgson any trouble.
Both sides were contributing to an open game of football, but it was Carlton who took the lead with 20 minutes played as Reuben Wiggins-Thomas sent a pass into the Kidsgrove area where Josh THORNTON was able to head the ball home past Hodgson's despairing dive.
Athletic did not let this setback knock them out of their stride, however, and continued to play some good attacking football as they searched for an equaliser. On 29 minutes, Brannan fired in low cross that Kinsey managed to connect with, but his glancing header was well saved by Marshall. A minute later, Griggs burst through down the left and unleashed a fierce shot that the home keeper knew little about as he deflected it onto the crossbar.
The visitors were rewarded five minutes before the break when Kinsey picked out BRANNAN on the right who ran into the area before hitting a shot across Marshall and into the corner of the net.
There was still time for opportunities for both sides prior to the half time whistle as firstly Charlton shot just wide of the target after a good run and, in the final action of the half, Hawkridge saw his free kick well saved by Hodgson.
The second period started badly for Kidsgrove as they fell behind again within two minutes of the resumption. Alistair Asher looked to have over-hit an attempted cross into the Athletic area, but Wiggins-Thomas was able to reach the ball and play it back into the danger zone where Ashley GRAYSON headed in from close range.
Once more, though, Kidsgrove battled back and were on terms again five minutes later. After a spell of pressure on the Carlton goal, Brannan crossed in and CHARLTON found the back of the net with an overhead kick six yards out.
There was no question of either side looking to settle for a point. Charlton was again at the centre of the action on 57 minutes, attempting a cheeky flick with the outside of his boot that floated wide of the post. Five minutes later, Neil Grayson showed all his experience in holding the ball up well before laying off to Wiggins-Thomas who shot over the bar.
For the visitors, the left-sided partnership of Griggs and Ashley Carter was proving a constant source of attacks, and created two good opportunities within a minute of each other, the first presenting Kinsey with a shooting chance that Marshall comfortably saved and then Carter himself forcing the home keeper to be at his best to tip over a powerful effort.
The home side continued to exert pressure as well, with Hodgson producing a good save from Wiggins-Thomas after good approach play by Hawkridge.
In the final 10 minutes of the game, things became a little scrappy with both teams being penalised for a series of fouls. This stifled the attacking play somewhat, leaving Kidsgrove to take a well-earned point with a much-improved performance compared to recent outings.
Team: Hodgson, D Smith, Brannan, Beeston, Johnson (Dove 82), Charlton, Griggs, Hall, Bridgwater, Kinsey, Carter. Unused subs: Bull, Nicklin, Twigg
Share Last updated: 16th November 2011, 22:54