Eagle land narrow win after Ormskirk push visitors all the way
HAVING lost a close encounter at Manchester based Old Bedians last week, Ormskirk were hoping the visit of Eagle to Green Lane would give the opportunity for a return to winning ways.
The game got of to an encouraging start for the home side as the Eagle kick off failed to travel the required ten metres resulting in a scrum on the half way.
Ormskirk switched the play from the base of the scrum, making good ground close to the visitors’ 22.
Quick ball won at the ruck was released on the crash to centre Neil Habberfield, breaking tackles he crossed the line with opponents on his back to open the scoring, Alex Lambie converting for a full seven points.
Ormskirk continued with their high tempo approach, causing the Eagle defensive line a lot of problems. Caught
Roffside at the breakdown, the visitors were penalised and Lambie again slotted the extra three points.
The resulting kick off by Eagle was safely gathered in and driven into centre field by the forwards, but carelessly they lost the ball in the tackle just outside their own 22.
This turnover ball gave the visitors the impetus to put their big forwards to good use and apply pressure on the home defensive line.
In their eagerness to keep their line intact, Ormskirk were caught offside and gave an easy three point penalty conversion for Eagle.
Buoyed by this success Eagle again employed their forwards to make the hard yards, testing the home defence which fortunately was up to the task.
With ball in hand, Ormskirk were able to make forays deep into the opposition half, good continuity of play by both forwards and backs pushed the Eagle defence to its limits but it also held firm.
It was a case of which team ICHMOND can’t seem to buy a win.
They came from 1-0 down, then took a 2-1 advantage all the way to the 92nd minute, then conceded at the the death - demoralising to say the least.
Richmond, desperately short of a win, will feel devastated at yet another drawn home game, but credit to Turton who never gave up seeking at least a point from this match.
The home side kicked the match off on a cool but sunny day at Richmond Park.
It was the visitors that looked the more energetic in the first few minutes.
That energy was converted into the would crack first and as half time approached it was the home side which blinked.
The Eagle forwards drove deep into Ormskirk’s twenty two, as the defensive line held firm the ball was moved quickly to the backs, finding the outside centre running a strong inside line to go over opening goal when Keiran Sissons collected the ball in space, left side of the penalty area, saw the Richmond keeper Mike Lowe a little forward off his line, then lobbed the ball over the keeper to take an early lead that the home side really didn’t need.
It took Richmond until around the 30 minute mark to recover and equalise.
Striker Jordan Lorde along with fellow striker Mark Bailey, instrumental in the build up to the goal, Bailey exceptional with setting up midfielder Jack Golding who couldn’t miss from inside the six yard box, smashing the ball past Matt Hamnet in the Turton goal.
A corner by Jack Golding had the watching Turton defender’s breathing a sigh of relief as center back Ash Disley’s brutal header just cleared the crossbar, Turton went close the other end minutes later. close to the posts.
A simple conversion drew the sides level at 10-10 and proceedings stayed this way until half time.
Ormskirk were again positive from the start of play, the forwards went through their phases, retaining possession and pushing the visitors back
A notable save around the 40 minute mark by Richmond keeper Mike Lowe is well worth a mention, a fantastic shot by the Turton striker, Lowe having to dive full length and get a strong hand on the ball to palm to safety.
A brilliant save at that stage of the game, so close to half time.
After half-time Richmond went close from a Lee Morton free kick, the wing back finding the head of Mark Bailey, the striker in despair when he saw his header go the wrong side of the post for a goal kick.
Richmond took the lead on 55 minutes, the second goal by Golding who took his goal very well.
The build up play by Lee Morton and substitute midfielder Tom Corrigan was good to watch in setting up the man of the match.
This was the introduction of the the Turton fight back, the visitors towards their line.
Over eagerness caught Eagle offside at the tackle area and Alex Lambie restored Ormskirk’s lead with the resulting penalty kick. Eagle then collected their own kick off ball and advanced strongly to the Ormskirk try line with a score looking the likely outcome. The ball was then dropped and recovered by Ormskirk to go on the counter attack using good continuity play between forwards and backs.
Again Eagle were penalised for being offside and Ormskirk increased their lead to 16-10 with a further Alex Lambie penalty.
Eagle were not ready to give the game up and continued to be a problem with their forwards and straight running back line.
Ormskirk held firm and they too attacked when the opportunity presented itself.
Gradually though Ormskirk began to make some mistakes, losing possession at the ruck and giving away penalties when in good attacking positions. fought to create the opening that would give them at least a point their play deserved.
It came about in the 92nd minute, a demoralising time for the home side, supplied by striker Ally Dickson.
Richmond had really tried so hard to create a win they desperately needed, losing central defender Anthony Murt to injury, not helping. But it wasn’t to be and 2-2 it ended. Manager Mike Clandon and his management team obviously disappointed, but his side gave all they had, considering the the absentees.
It’s been a fine line for the Burscough side in converting draws into wins, a couple of players could make all the difference in helping consolidate the side’s position in the West Lancs Premier League.
End to end football, good to watch, well played both teams.
The Eagle scrum half used the penalties as an opportunity to take a quick tap and run at the retreating Ormskirk line. This put the visitors on the front foot and with ten minutes to go they were awarded a further penalty at the breakdown in Ormskirk’s 22.
Again the scrum-half took the tap and popped the ball to the number eight to crash over from close range, the resulting conversion put Eagle a single point ahead at 16-17.
Ormskirk used the remaining time to throw all they had at Eagle but their disciplined defence refused to give way or to cough up a penalty chance. The game ended with a penalty decision against Ormskirk again at the breakdown area.
A hard fought close encounter that again did not go Ormskirk’s way, but at least a losing bonus point was earned which with other results in the League keeps them in third place.
Next week sees the visit of table topping side Garstang to Green Lane, an opportunity to bounce back and close the gap on the league leaders.