Peters is so proud of his Bacup battlers
SHELDAN KEAY
BACUP Borough manager Brent Peters felt that every one of his players were ‘immense in every way’ during their hard-fought 0-0 draw with promotion contenders Whitchurch Alport.
Peters’ men were expected to lose but performed impressively to stop that from happening, and the Bacup boss is proud of what his side managed to achieve.
“I would imagine that most front line managers and coaches out there will fully understand what I was faced with and the improvisation I was faced with pre-match,” he said.
“A lot of thought goes into team selection for a given specific game. At training you would expect all players to be present but at times for various reasons this is not always the case.
”When such situations present themselves improvisation is very much required. Improvising for training is one thing but when such situations arise one hour before kick off with in form Whitchurch Alport, it is very much a more difficult task.
“I had available 12 fit players and in addition two injured players that were prepared to go onto the bench in case of an emergency, out of the twelve available I only had two recognised defenders available in Adrian Bellamy and Connor Porter, which is not ideal when we are facing a team who scored 19 goals in their last three away games.
“This is where improvisation had to come in, it was important that the players could quickly respond and take on board their individual responsibilities in what was in most cases unfamiliar positions for some of the boys.
“From the moment I addressed the team prematch to naming the team and explaining their responsibilities, collectively each and every one of those players were immense in every way.
“Their work ethics, their commitment to help each other in what was potentially going to be a difficult afternoon, and the way they galvanised each other for the cause was something special to see.
“Whitchurch are a very good side, so to come out of this game with a creditable no score draw was one of the few highlights of this season.
“I would like to reserve special praise for Anthony Hall, as he had just been out injured, and then broke down in the warm up of this game.
“It was my coach Andy Barlow and sports therapist Connor Smith that worked hard with Anthony both on his mentality and physicality for him to be fit to start.
“That he did and with this he put in an outstanding performance. Believe me it could have been easy for Anthony to have pulled out, so it really shows the character of him and for that he should be credited.
“Then there was Jordan Rutter. I told Jordan prior ●● Anthony Hall was picked out for praise having returned from injury to this game that he would very much be a strong contender for my Player of the Year. The reason? Every time I have asked Jordan to do a job for me in various unfamiliar positions, he without question has done it for me and done it well.
“Finally I must mention our goalkeeper Louis McCarthy who has stepped in since the injury to Josh.
“At a vital time in this game he pulled off such a top drawer quality save which basically secured a well-earned point. To keep a clean sheet against a top side that given the work rate each and every player put in, a defeat would have been a total injustice.
“Football can bring so many mixed emotions, I was emotional when we have won the league and cups and for different reasons I was emotional when we were relegated.
“But come the end of this game, I do not mind admitting that having witnessed such an honest good workmanlike perfor- mance from a group of young players, who in some cases were playing at the highest level they have ever played at, it was really touching to see.
“I am just glad they got something from their terrific effort against a very good Whitchurch side. I always say following a negative must come a positive, this is what we got, everyone from Andrew Barlow and Connor Smith and the players deserve surmounting credit for their contribution.”
Next trophy match is 30th April at Townhouse.
The next junior ‘taster day’ is on Ramsden Wood Fishery on Sunday May 28th. Bring yourself and/ or your offspring and try fishing-we hope you will end up ‘hooked on fishing’. All fishing tackle/ bait supplied. You will be given a coaching session with one of our trained coaches. This event is free and is also open to adults.
The final injection of stock fish into remaining waters took place on Monday April 10th.
Grove Lodge received ;- 75lb Carp 1-2lb plus 100 Bream 6”-8” plus a few Perch plus 500 F1 Carp 3”-4”.
Ramsden Wood Fishery received;- 50lb 1-2lb Carp, plus 30 6”-8” Tench, plus 100 6”-8” Bream, plus 120 4”-6” Mirror Carp, plus 400 4”-6” F1 Carp.
New Mill Dam received ;- 125lb 1-2lb Carp plus 500 F1 Carp 3”-4”.
Cliviger Bottom Pond received 300 3”-4” F1 Carp plus 50lb Roach.
Portsmouth Reservoir received – 135lb Roach. WHERE’S FISHING? Grove Lodge. Plenty of small Roach on pole/ maggot. Use pellets for larger fish Bream/ Carp. Fish restocking has worked wonders here!
Day tickets in advance from local tackle shops for £5.