It’s style over substance
SOMETIMES the score doesn’t always tell the full story of a fmatch, a statement which I am sure the Burscough fans who made the Monday night’s trip to the Select Security Stadium (Naughton Park) would agree.
The young energetic Burscough side had far more of the possession than Widnes but still returned home – on paper – a well beaten side.
The heavens opened half an hour before kick-off and the rain was to pour down until well into the second half, but it was Burscough who initially seemed to deal best with the sodden artificial surface, forcing Widnes onto the defensive with their mobility and sharp passing game.
However, all the Linnets’ neat interplay only succeeded in producing a shot from Adam Gilchrist that went well off target.
Instead they suffered something of sucker punch in the 14th minute. Chris Lomax got free down the left and drove a cross into the heart of the Burscough penalty area, where former Skelmersdale striker Chad Whyte was able to run onto the ball and send it crashing into the net from eight yards via a stooping header.
Burscough’s problem was that they were not opening up an entrenched Widnes defence and when they did on 20 minutes, Prince Ekpolo elected to pass when a shot at goal would at the very least have had made Widnes goalkeeper Richie Mottram pull off a save.
Burscough were punished again on 29 minutes when only the host’s second attempt on goal produced a second goal. Tony Donaldson lofted a free-kick into the penalty area and it was cleared, only to fall perfectly to Widnes captain Kevin Pollard, who put a thunderous shot into the Burscough goal to make it 2-0.
It was becoming frustrating for Burscough who on the balance of play didn’t deserve to be two goals behind but on 32 minutes it became even more so.
Gilchrist’s corner appeared to be set to land on a Burscough head at the far post, then out of nowhere Widnes number five Michael Burke put in a superb saving header to sweep the ball to safety.
Widnes produce a period of sustained pressure as half-time beckoned. First Kevin Towey headed wide when arguably he should have done better, then full-back Alex Davies put in a magnificent shot that Burscough goalkeeper Louis McCarthy did well to push away
Burscough continued to press Widnes after the restart, but Widnes continued to defend stoically.
Devlin fired over the home crossbar and Hafeez Hamzat header over from a Devlin free-kick, then on 69 minutes Terry Cummings was put in on goal but when he should have shot he took on an extra man and the chance was gone.
With 14 minutes to go Burscough lost possession inside the Widnes half and the ball was quickly played onto the home team’s right wing. Towey was on the run down the left, and almost inevitably the ball was delivered across the pitch and an unmarked Towey killed off the Linnets’ hopes with a third Widnes goal.
With the destination of the points decided Widnes held Burscough at arm’s length and the game petered out before the end, the final whistle ending the agony for Burscough.
Burscough are playing some delightful football but they still have to win a Hallmark Security League Premier Division game. They are organised and strong at the back, they just desperately need a goal scorer.