Harriers pegged back by late leveller

BLACKBURN SUNDAY LEAGUE DIVISION 2 ACCRINGTON OB.................. 1 HELMSHORE HARRIERS .... 1 THOMAS SHCOFIELD

HELMSHORE Harriers battled to a 1-1 draw in a feisty encounter with Accrington Old Boys.

It was Accy that started the brighter but they were unable to make the most of numerous chances created.

Harriers looked dangerous from set-plays and from a Martyn Hillier free-kick almost opened the scoring. A deep delivery caught out the Old Boys keeper but, the covering centre back was just able to clear the ball.

Hillier then had a golden opportunity to open the scoring, some neat play in the midfield released Christian Dallimore on the left who found Hillier on the 12 yard spot. With the goal gaping, Hillier sliced his

●● Action from Helmshore Harriers’ clash against Accy Old Boys shot wide for a goal kick.

Goalless at the interval, Harriers made a change, introducing Jake Carruthers at the back.

Old Boys thought they had opened the scoring shortly after the restart, but a foul on Harriers keeper, Jake Chadwick, halted the celebrations. That would be Chadwick’s final act of the morning, a nasty gash ending his game prematurely.

Centre back and man of the match Chris Walker replaced Chadwick and looked assured between the sticks.

The Old Boys then had a chance to break the deadlock as the ball struck the outstretched hand of Connor Higgins for a penalty. The penalty was struck straight down the middle where Walker was able to save it with his feet and gratefully clutch the ball.

Accy looked to have broken the deadlock again but a superb goalline clearance from Carruthers kept the score at 0-0.

Harriers continued to look dangerous when putting balls into the box, Jordan Warburton’s header looping onto the crossbar and out for a goal kick.

The Helmshore side then struck the woodwork once more, Adam Coates denied this time with an edge of the area volley.

Harriers were in the ascendancy and but for a good save from the Old Boys keeper would have been 1-0 up. Hillier with a fierce volley pawed away and cleared.

Blair Fielden then had the opportunity to break the deadlock, after a defender misread the bounce – Fielden was baring down on goal, his strike though was high and wide.

Harriers weren’t to be thwarted again though and with just a minute to go capitalised. Hillier received the ball on the edge of the box from a Carruthers free-kick, turned and nutmegged one of his markers before whipping a superb ball towards the far post where a defender could only redirect the ball into his own net.

Enthusiasm was short lived as the referee said there were only 10 seconds left and offered the Old Boys one last attack.

From a throw, they worked the ball into the box and unmarked, fired beyond a helpless Walker.

It left the Harriers on four points after three games. They play Ewood Blues on Sunday October 11th at 10:30am on Pleasington Playing

Fields.

●● Mark Berry displaying the effort, giving it all at Crown Point