Boss hails climb up division
THE New Year brought the crosscountry championships. Merseyside held theirs at the switchback course of Sherdley Park, fortunately good underfoot, while Lancashire hopefuls were on the more demanding slopes of Blackburn’s Witton Park.
At Merseyside, Liverpool Pembroke Sefton star Kirsty Longley continues to defy her 41 years and took the Senior Women’s race by the throat from the gun.
The effect of vast experience and class clearly intimidated her opponents and they left her well alone content to chase the lesser medals.
Such is her confidence she immediately declared herself capable of running it again!
She has enjoyed an incredible 12 months, numerous wins, club records, international selection and the top most ranking in the country in her age group at 1500m.
Her local rivals, including talented clubmate Rosie Johnson (5th), will inevitably close the gap but currently she is queen of the scene.
Split forces with Lancashire demands meant it was difficult to close in teams but no such problem exists with the U14 Boys.
Here, the good packing of Michael Henderson (8), Andrew Storch (15), Stanley Benson (16) and Oscar Davidson (19) secured third team medals.
An equally impressive Tom Corcoran at U17 ran out an excellent third as well.
Elsewhere there were lone representatives or pairs, U11 Girl Katy Nicholson (15), U13 Girls Rachel Curzon (32) and Katelyn Swift (36), U13 Boys an excellent James Read (6) plus Harry Corcoran (20), U15 Girls Faye Hannaway (12) and Emily Williamson (16) and U17 Women Bethany Swift (11).
Vicky Gilbody (31) joined the two senior women but they were still one short of a team. There were excellent runs from Dan Slater in third and Joe Niven who finished fourth at U20. Both runners can look forward to team selection for the Intercounties. Similarly, Chris Maher had the run of his life in the Senior Men’s race finishing an impressive sixth in a class field. Mark Wynne, again courageous, took 13th. With Bernie Murphy (38), Mike Gall (50), Richard Beesley (53) and Chris Pedder (82) the club had to settle for sixth team spot. There were no medals won at Blackburn and only one team result. Again, to the joy of coaches John Bride and John McCarten, the U15 Boys competed in the event.
Jake Dickenson (5) powerfully led and with Ste McLoughlin (15), Jared Nicholls (18) and Nicholas Usher (23) just missed out in fourth place.
As noted before, Sarah Yates continues to look a very good prospect with fifth in the U11 category.
At U13 Boys, the club had Isaac Dickinson (31) and U13 Girls Alicia Woods (35).
The U15 Girls nearly made a counting four with Kate Sutcliffe (14), Ruth Usher (46) and Freya Wissett (47) while at U17 Men Oliver Sutcliffe was 11th.
Alone in the Senior Women’s race, Harriet Foley was 30th but a good sixth in her U20 group.
Ross Harrison (29th) had a great run in the Senior Men’s race but a significant fourth in his U20 age group.
Elsewhere, Kyle Nicholls (79), Tom Corlett (85) and Lee Anderton (151) fought hard.
Team selections will now be made to represent respective counties and Liverpool Pembroke & Sefton can look forward to having several runners in excellent form who will pull on the prestigious county vests. LIAM WATSON says there is still more to come from Southport after they reached the top-half of the National League North for the first time this season with victory over Guiseley on Tuesday night.
A second half strike from substitute Jack Sampson handed the Sandgrounders all three points as they lengthened their unbeaten league run to 11 games.
“I’m delighted to get in the top-half of the table because it’s been a long climb and a long struggle,” Watson said afterwards.
“When you take eight points from the firstthird of the season you leave yourself a mountain to climb.
“We are trying to climb it as good as we can but there is a lot more climbing to do yet.”
Watson is developing a youthful squad at the Merseyrail Community Stadium and the former AFC Telford manager defended his starlets following the victory.
Morgan HomsonSmith, Brad Bauress, Dion Charles and Marcus Wood all appeared in the midweek win with each of the quartet aged 23 or younger.
“The big thing when young Morgan come on, you actually see, he never seems fazed,” the manager added.
“He’s always composed when he’s on the ball, even if he’s in the bottom corner defending. He slipped some great balls in.
“If we’d been a bit livelier up front we could have actually capitalised on it. He’s 20-years-old. I also thought Brad had a good game tonight and he’s so important to us creativity-wise.
“One or two people were a bit critical on Saturday [when Southport drew 1-1 with Nuneaton Town].
“Marcus has upped his levels today, Morgan was better today, Dion was better, Brad was better but when you take into the amount of football the lads have played they’re due a flat day.”
Watson also confirmed Ryan Astles, Jordan Archer and Devarn Green will all miss the clash with Leamington this weekend.
The visitors are two places and one point below Southport in the league table.