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Gabs see red in home game

19/ 1/2008

THE first home game in several weeks turned into one Castleton Gabriels would rather forget.

They tasted defeat and finished the Vodkat League Division Two match against Padiham with only eight men.

The first blow came early in the first half. Mark Baxendale brought down Padiham’s centre forward as he looked to run free. After some arduous discussions with the referee, not even captain Steve McCann could change the mind of the official who showed a straight red to Baxendale.

With 10 men the quest for victory was hard enough, but with nine men it would seem impossible. Thirty minutes in Alan Brannick was put under pressure by two Padiham defenders. One of them fell to the ground, a boot seemed to move, and with the referee close by there was no doubting what would happen next.

Gabs were down to nine men, and the task was becoming more and more difficult.

Credit the Castleton spirit, as they held out for the next 15 minutes with relative ease and even hit the bar with a 25-yard lob. Padiham were restricted to long shots which were easy for Canning.

Fans had hardly time to digest their half-time pies before Padiham broke the deadlock.

A corner was swung to the back post, and it was collected by Vinny Braine who was alone and on hand to slot home.

There was controversy again on 60 minutes. Moses Tahir protested at a decision made by a linesman and off he went.

Gabs held out for another 10 minutes but couldn’t prevent two more goals being conceded.

After 70 minutes Lowber headed home Padiham’s second, and five minutes later Vinny Braine shot home after being left unmarked in the box.

Castleton then held out for another 15 minutes until the end of the game.

Castleton travel to play Ashton Town today. The management team will have no choice but to make several changes, as Brannick, Tahir and Baxendale all begin their three-game suspensions.