Squandered chances prove so costly in opening day defeat...
CHEADLE captain Matthew Goodwin admits his side squandered several chances to start their NSSCL Premier Division season with a win.
The Moorlanders were beaten by Longton by 10 runs in an encounter which ebbed and flowed at Tean Road.
Longton had won the toss and elected to bat, but found new skipper Goodwin and opening-partner Jimmy Sellers in sublime form with the ball.
The duo gained early movement and Longton tumbled to 40-6. It could have been even worse for the visitors, but Ed Jones was dropped after making just one.
He went on to score 74 and with substitute professional Ashar Zaidi adding 65, Longton recovered superbly to 207-9 at the end of their 45 overs.
Andrew Coxon (38) and Austen Crump (33) led the Cheadle reply and at 141-3 they seemed on course to win the match.
But Longton showed why they are one of the teams to watch this summer by eventually dismissing the home side for 197.
It was the second time in successive seasons that Cheadle had missed the chance to see off Longton on home turf.
Last summer they snatched defeat from the jaws of victory by losing their last seven wickets for 11 runs.
However, Goodwin, taking charge of his first Cheadle game since succeeding Craig Smith as skipper, was pleased with how his players approached the encounter.
“We have been in a position to win the game four or five times throughout the afternoon,” he said.
“We couldn’t quite get over the line and it’s a learning curve for the players. When you have a side 40-6, you have to stamp on their throats and get the job done.
“Dropping Ed was a key moment. Myself and Jimmy Sellers had a few overs left and if we’d taken that chance Longton would have been 40-odd for seven.
“I’d have backed us to knock them over for 80-odd if that had been the case.
“I was pleased with the players, though. I asked them to play with freedom and they did that and showed a good attitude.”
Goodwin admitted that Zaidi - who was standing in for permanent pro Saad Ali - held the key to the contest.
“He was superb for them and probably the main difference between the two sides, on the day,” explained Goodwin.
“Credit to Longton. From a position of 40-6 they managed to get to a score, although we should have got them.
“People made 15s and 20s, but if someone converts into a 50 or 60 it’s a different story.
“On another day, when you’re 80-2 and Ali walks in, he can win you the game.
“He didn’t on Saturday, but that can happen in an game of cricket.
“We have to take the positives from the fact that we had the chance to beat one of the favourites for the title.”
Cheadle hit the road this weekend to take on champions Porthill Park.
Their title defence started on a losing note after they lost by seven wickets at Moddershall & Oulton at the weekend.