St Mary’s left waiting to be crowned

WEST LANCS LEAGUE DIVISION ONE HURST GREEN .............. 2 HAS ST MARY’S ........... 0 STEVE BAYES PROMOTED Haslingden St Mary’s needed one point to be crowned champions in their away match against Hurst Green who needed three points to stand a chance of promotion.

Two defensive mistakes cost St Mary’s as they went down to a 2-0 defeat.

St Mary’s dominated the first half and forced early chances with a Sean Pearson cross on two minutes bouncing on the cross bar and a dipping Scott Wylie effort just missing the post minutes later, St Mary’s forced numerous corners in the first period with many causing chaos in the Hurst Green defence, but a stubborn defence and keeper managed to keep St Mary’s out and the teams went in level at the break.

With the second half only three minutes old poor marking in the Mary’s defence allowed the big striker a free header to open the scoring. Despite the setback Mary’s continued to make chances.

A Tom Hulme header from a Scott Wylie ●● Scott Wylie corner shaved the outside of the post, and minutes later a Mickey Saunders header again just clearing the bar.

On 66 minutes a long ball from the heart of the Hurst Green defence found the striker one on one with the Mary’s defender, he was too strong and held him off to score the second goal.

St Mary’s continued to push forward but the Hurst Green defence were in no mood to relinquish their lead and held on for the victory.

So St Mary’s wait to be crowned champions goes to two games against Burscough Richmond, the only team who can prevent them being champions. The first of those games is this Saturday at home at 3pm.

St Mary’s reserves had a 2-0 victory over Hesketh Bank Reserves – scorers were A Rafial and a Paul Hooper penalty.