Linnets fail to finish their chances in derby battle

BURSCOUGH took the lead against their local rivals in the Parbold Hill Derby in the 19th minute but after missing a number of chances the Linnets conceded in 56 and 79 minutes and were unable to find an equaliser in a game that many would argue they deserved something out of.

Charnock Richard did start the game on top and went close a few times.

Burscough goalkeeper Dave Jones saving from Dan Regan and Oliver Oxley, while former Skelmersdale Utd forward Jordan Darr had a powerful effort blocked.

After their slow start, Burscough got going and in the 12th minute Jack Fleming got his head to a corner but the ball went over the crossbar.

In the 19th minute, a poor clearance from a corner saw the ball delivered back into the penalty area, where Chris Lomax took possession, beat one defender and held off another before slipping the ball neatly past Charnock Richard goalkeeper Jake Eastwood to make it 1-0 to Burscough.

The Linnets, buoyed by the goal, proceeded to take control, but were still not over creative and had trouble breaking down the Charnock defence and finishing.

Moments after the restart Burscough had a great opportunity but were thwarted by young keeper Eastwood, Lomax pounced on a wayward pass by the Charnock Richard backline and was one on one with Eastwood, the keeper managed to get in the way of Lomax’s shot and the ball was hacked to safety.

Burscough again had a spell on the offensive but couldn’t get the vital second goal. The game changed 11 minutes into the second half.

A Charnock Richard free-kick from the left hand side took a deflection and the ball ran into the goalmouth, Darr got a touch from close range and it was 1-1.

Ten minutes from the end Charnock Richard won a free kick about 25 yards from goal, defender Spencer Bibby stepped forward and his direct shot took a deflection as it passed the Linnets defensive wall taking the ball well out of keeper Jones reach, giving the visitors a 2-1 lead.

Burscough pushed for an equaliser but the latter period saw them not creating much despite a big effort.

The Linnets were better in attack than last week but still lacked the finishing touch, if they had taken their chances they would have had at least a point from this one.