Ten man Linnets fight back for victory
REDUCED to ten men for over half the game, Burscough’s win in Cheshire on Saturday could prove of crucial importance at the end of April.
The Linnets went into an early lead but this was soon wiped out by a Barnton equaliser, then forward Terry Cummings was given a red card just before half-time and despite facing an uphill task, three points were captured with a late goal.
The first away league win of the season lifts Burscough to the brink of leaving the North-West Counties Premier Division relegation zone but perhaps even more vital is that it kept Barnton behind them in the league.
Burscough had started the game well and they took the lead in the second minute - Adam Gilchrist’s shot from 18 yards going under Barnton goalkeeper Robert Cooke.
However, all the good early work by Burscough was wasted on 18 minutes, Chris Bendell carved out an opening for top scorer Chris Smith and the striker equalised for Barnton despite a strong challenge by Burscough’s Rex Kimona-Puissance.
It was quite a close encounter for the rest of the half, but on 42 minutes Cummings received a silly second yellow card and Burscough were reduced to ten men.
In the 68th minute Burscough had to thank debutant goalkeeper Gerard Walker, the former Northern Ireland youth player who is on loan from Chorley for pulling off a magnificent save to turn Jack Irlam’s shot onto the post.
With ten minutes to go, Whyte was put clear by a neat through ball, the big striker moved the ball from right to left foot then put a well struck strike over keeper Cooke to make it 2-1 to Burscough.
Home substitute Sam Houghton put a shot wide then keeper Walker saved from Bendell. Burscough held on and if they can continue to beat the teams around them in the league table they should be alright at the end of the season.