Denmark-Walpole record second win of the season after holding off North Albany in controversial finish

Denmark-Walpole player-coach Brad Nisbett was delighted after his side held on to record a thrilling three-point victory over North Albany at McLean Park on Saturday. The Magpies kicked five goals in the first term and led by 19 points at half-time but a determined Kangas kicked three third-term goals to storm back into contention. However, the Magpies persevered in the last term to clinch their second win of the season and snap a four-game losing streak with a spirited 9.8 (62) to 8.11 (59) triumph in the Ben Napier Tribute Match. The game ended in controversy as Kangas’ Sam Moir marked on the lead as the final siren sounded but the mark was not paid by the umpires, sparking celebration for the home side. “We obviously started well in the first half, they kicked three quick ones in the third quarter but we managed to hold on really well in the second half,” Nisbett said. “It was a tight tussle and a physical game, and they definitely lifted in that second half. “But it was a great contest and it was good to get away with a win, even though there wasn’t much riding on the game — just a bit of respect, I guess. “I thought Jack Marney did a really good job on (Graham) Ross considering he tends to keep them in the game a lot of times. “A lot other guys really just chipped in for the win, which was good to see.” Goals from Nisbett, Tyler Stone and Carlton Godfrey, and two from Ryan Gaerth, capped a blistering first term for the Magpies. The Magpies’ ascendancy continued in the second term as Stone emerged once again, booting the only major of the quarter to put his side up by 19. Reliable goal kicker Ross bobbed up early in the third quarter for the visitors before Jyrin Woods added another minutes after. A timely Taj Williams set shot levelled scores and swung the momentum further towards the Kangas as the Magpies found themselves on the back foot. Two opportunities went begging for Magpies’ Stone, who sprayed consecutive shots wide for two behinds. However, he converted a set shot 45m out soon afterwards to put the resolute Magpies up by eight. Two rushed behinds and a missed snap from star ball winner Crudeli cut the margin back to five points heading into a dramatic final term. The lead changed again as Williams kicked his third for the afternoon before Ross sent a shot wide minutes later. At the other end, Aaron Wheeler broke free from a tackle and hit the chest of Stone 40m out. Stone made no mistake, putting the Magpies up by four points. With the game in the balance, Kadan King-Davies slotted a clutch goal to put his side up by nine points with four minutes left. However, Moir emerged at the other end, putting through a spectacular running goal to trim the margin to three points. Ross had an opportunity to win the game but his shot went out on the full with less than three minutes left in the contest. In the dying moments, captain Regan Lloyd drilled a kick to Moir as the siren sounded but the Magpies held on for the win. Nisbett was named best afield in the special fixture and was well supported by Gaerth in midfield and Stone (four goals). Barry Roberts was solid off half-back while Marney played well on the in-form Ross to hold him to one goal. For the Kangas, Alec Haskins was outstanding, while Crudeli and Woods toiled hard. Kangas coach Brad Bootsma lamented his side’s inconsistency during the game. “We just didn’t play four quarters of footy, which is disappointing,” he said. “I reckon we played OK in the first 10 minutes of the game and then we were no good until half-time. “We had a good patch in the third quarter where we dominated the game, and then Denmark had a bit of the play and the last quarter was goal for goal. “It was pleasing in the aspect that they (players) responded at half-time to some conversations we had. “But I guess the displeasing thing in the third quarter was when the momentum swung the other way, we just didn’t adapt to it.”