A resurgent Tadley Calleva took home a well-deserved 1-0 win against Cowes Sports on Saturday.
A first half Darren Maunder penalty save kept the scores level early on against the Isle of Wight side.
Syndenhams Wessex League Division One strugglers Tadley showed they had put their previous 5-0 loss against high-flying Team Solent behind them.
Delighted squad manger Danny Dolan praised the team’s efforts.
“Cowes have the best defensive record in that division at the moment,” he said. “They are a very very good side, so I am absolutely delighted with the thoroughly deserved three points. Everyone on the day was fantastic.”
In the first half, both squads were evenly matched with both teams hunting for the opening goal. After 20 minutes Cowes were awarded a controversial penalty.
The bottom right spot kick was turned away for a corner by Maunder in the Calleva net.
“I think that save really lifted the players from then on,” said Dolan. “It just gave us that togetherness we were missing last week.”
In the second half, 18-year-old striker Lee Neal was bought down in the Cowes box.
The spot kick was tucked away in the bottom left by striker Pete White giving the home side a 1-0 lead which they held on to for the win.
On Saturday, Tadley take on Andover New Street at home.
