Wembley dreams are sunk by Ship Canal
BURSCOUGH’S hopes of going to Wembley ended for another year on the banks of the Manchester Ship Canal on Saturday in a close encounter that saw them lead 2-1 at one stage in the first-half, before they finally succumbed to a goal 20 minutes from the end.
There were only two minutes gone when Irlam struck, Burscough lost possession when on the attack and the ball went to number seven Marcus Perry who played the ball into Matty Boland in the penalty area from the right - the home striker firing a first-time effort into the Linnets net.
Four minutes later Burscough equalised.
North-West Counties League player of the month Terry Cummings broke away down the right hand side, he played an inch perfect ball to striker Chad Whyte and the big man did what he does best, scored.
In the 14th minute it was Whyte’s turn to set up Cummings, after combining well with Matty Ward, Cummings was given a gilt edged opportunity to grab his 12th goal of the season.
At times Burscough were their own worst enemy, straight from the kick off Perry was again given far too much room down the right, this time he cut inside to make it 2-2. The Linnets lead had lasted less than a minute.
Burscough were doing at least their share of attacking and in the 28th minute Ward was only denied by a superb last gasp challenge when he was bearing down on goal. Then Cummings look set to score but the referee pulled up play for a handball.
In the 31st minute Irlam made it 3-2 with another counterattack after a Burscough attack broke down, Boland romping away down the left then crossing to give Perry his second goal of the afternoon.
Play continued to go end to end until the interval in a very open contest, Burscough’s Achilles heel at times being their commitment to attack.
Both managers must have had words during the break as it was a lot tighter in the middle of the park in the second-half and chances did become scarcer as a result.
Nine minutes in Burscough got their chance to level, Cummings slipped a wonderful through ball to Whyte, only to have his moment spoiled by a terrific save from Irlam goalkeeper Lee White.
Burscough goalkeeper Lee Povey was called into action in the 64th minute holding onto a powerful effort by Connor Martin.
In the 70th minute Irlam hit Burscough with the killer blow and this time it was bad marking that was to blame.
Number three Joel Amando sent in a corner and home defender Karl Cassell was allowed free to bag the winner from close range.
By the end Irlam were left to celebrate another cup success, they are still in the FA Cup and will now entertain Handsworth Paramore in the First Round of the FA Vase.
Burscough need to look at some of the basics of football, it is all well and good being highly entertaining and scoring plenty of goals, but they must cut down on the mistakes and defend better if they are to progress up the North-West Counties Premier Division table.
They have the ingredients to move up the league, they need to become more streetwise if they are to do so though. They scored in the last minute and won 1-0.
“All I can say is they’ve all put a shift in. They’ve all done great and the last two games were a boxing fight.
“The chances we’ve missed, clear cut chances, another penalty, and three straight penalties missed with all different takers. I can never remember that in my career as a player or manager.
“However, what I will say, the shape of the team is coming together, the work rate of the team is coming together and the fact we’re creating chances: I can see the picture.
“We’ve lost one game in six. Not wins, but eventually someone is going to be on the back of a terrible hiding.”
Southport now face Farsley in the FA Cup second qualifying round this weekend.
Watson addied: “When we’ve been chasing a league title in the past I haven’t really taken the cup seriously. “This is a different kettle of fish. The cups, with the money, is vitally important and everyone will be looking for a cup upset and I think a lot of people would be tipping us.”