Haslingden grab point after comeback

HAWCOAT........................3 HAS ST MARY’S ............ 3 A GAME of two halves was certainly the case in Haslingden St Mary’s away match at Hawcoat Park at Barrow in Furness.

Despite being without a recognised keeper they came back from a 3-0 half time deficit, to put in a remarkable second half performance and came away with a well-earned point.

St Mary’s started the better and the Hawcoat keeper pulled off a great save to deny Scott Wylie. Soon after that Tom Hulme appeared to be upended in the Hawcoat area but the referee waved away protests.

But on 29 minutes Hawcoat broke the deadlock when the St Mary’s defence for once failed to clear the ball and McKay gave stand in keeper John Heap no chance.

With half time approaching and St Mary’s still the better team and hoping to go in just one down they were hit with a double whammy, as firstly a ball cleared from the Hawcoat defence sailed over the St Mary’s defenders and was put in the net by Reid. Straight from the kick off Hawcoat won a corner and again the wind played havoc and was converted at the back post by Haythorn.

The comeback started on 55 minutes when Wylie fired home, four minutes later it was Wylie again who drove home.

Keeper John Heap came up for an 88th minute corner and his presence caused chaos, and Dave Snape fired the ball home for a fully deserved equaliser.