Smart’s smart finish enough for the win
BURSCOUGH manager Dave Sutton said he felt a bit gutted after his side went down 1-0 to the North-West Counties Premier Division’s form team, Widnes’ victory meant that they have now won a remarkable ten successive league games.
It was a close, tight encounter at Victoria Park that given a bit of luck might easily have resulted in a Burscough victory and put an end to the visitors’ envious record.
Burscough were forced into one change before the game had even started, in-form left-sided player Matt Ward suffering an injury during the warm-up, though the Linnets were boosted by the return to the team of left-back Jamie Clark after injury.
The first-half saw defences on top with both teams limited to few clear cut opportunities in front of goal.
Burscough did start well, Peter Henerty putting one over the crossbar and having another saved by former Linnets goalkeeper Richie Mottram.
For Widnes, Sam Sheen shot over the cross bar and midfielder Jack Bannister was thwarted by a sharp inception from Burscough goalkeeper Josh Samberg.
Then Chad Whyte got in behind the Widnes defence but was kept at bay via a combination of former Skem defender Mike Burke and keeper Mottram.
Widnes got the only goal of the game moments before the half-time whistle. Co-manager and former Skelmersdale United striker Kevin Towey tormenting the Burscough defence on the 18 yard line, eventually he laid the ball off to striker Brad Smart, Smart twisted away from his marker before putting the crucial goal into the Burscough net.
In such a close game the Widnes goal made a big difference, it didn’t just give them the lead, it allowed them to sit back and hold on rather than push forward and leave gaps for Burscough to exploit.
After the interval chances became even fewer than in the first-period. Chad Whyte having the best opening for Burscough with a header, but Mottram dealt with it.
After the game Dave Sutton said:”We have to have a bit more confidence in front of goal.
“We had more of the possession for long periods of the game and it is frustrating that we didn’t get anything at the end, I thought we deserved at least a point.”