Bacup can’t recover from early blows

NORTH WEST COUNTIES DIVISION ONE OSWESTRY ................... 3 BACUP............................ 0 SHELDAN KEAY BACUP Borough came up short on Saturday after they were condemned to a defeat at Oswestry Town.

Bacup were in buoyant, confident mood following an impressive away win in midweek at AFC Blackpool, but manager Brent Peters once again could not field the same team.

Nathan Emery had not recovered from a shoulder injury sustained at Blackpool, but the biggest bombshell was the withdrawal of midweek hat-trick hero Michael Gervin 24 hours prior to the game with the news he was going away for ten days.

With three minutes on the clock the Oswestry wingback found himself in acres of space and produced an excellent pass into the box, where the impressive captain Jack Harris rocketed a shot into the roof of the net to make it 1-0.

Three minutes later the home side were given a chance to double their lead after they were awarded a penalty after an alleged foul by Bacup defender Artjoms Butorins.

Oswestry converted the spot kick to increase their lead, giving Peters’ men a mountain to climb with just six minutes played.

It seemed it was going to be one of those days but credit to Bacup as once they did settle they proved to be an equal match for their opponents, having more than their share of possession.

Bacup tried to get back into the match but they were not clinical enough, and they were unable to test the Oswestry keeper.

At the opposite end Bacup had got to grips defensively with any potential further Oswestry threats, meaning it was 2-0 at the interval.

At the start of the second half, Peters introduced Zac Hargreaves for Butorins, with Adrian Bellamy being pushed further forward.

There was absolutely nothing to separate either team after the break, with both sides playing some good football and both defences protecting their respective keepers very well.

Oswestry did get a chance to add to their first half brace when Bacup defender Stuart Craig seemed to slip on the greasy surface, but the official deemed there had been a connection and awarded the free kick.

The hosts took full advantage, as the free-kick was curled into the far side of the goal.

Bacup didn’t give up despite conceding another goal and continued to fight until the end but couldn’t get on the scoresheet.