Third defeat on the bounce for Linnets

BURSCOUGH slipped to a third successive defeat at home to in-form mid table Vauxhall, who were notching up their third successive league victory, the goals arriving in a twenty minute spell early in the second-half.

It was Vauxhall on the front foot in the opening exchanges and Linnets goalkeeper Jack Reynolds who was to have a busy afternoon, saved from an early Simon Thelwell header and a thirty yard free kick.

A quality save by Vauxhall goalkeeper Cieran O’Loughlin from Conor Christiansen in a one on none situation was the signal for Burscough to finally get into the game, but despite dominating possession for a while they didn’t break down the Vauxhall backline.

However, four minutes before the interval Reynolds made a magnificent save. Kieran Knapper put in a thunderous shot, but with a top drawer reaction Reynolds leapt to his left to claw the ball onto his crossbar, it was that good even the Vauxhall keeper clapped in praise.

Burscough couldn’t complain when Vauxhall took the lead a couple of minutes after the interval.

Ben Holmes chopped the ball in from the right to Knapper at the far post, he drove his shot across keeper Reynolds and it went inside the post to make it 1-0 to Vauxhall.

Burscough reacted well to going behind but again although they had possession they lacked the spark and quick passing to open up an organised Vauxhall defence.

Vauxhall brought on recent signing Craig Cairns on 64 minutes and it only took him four minutes to break his duck for the Motormen.

Burscough lost possession and Vauxhall played the ball into the danger area from the left, Cairns a proven striker over the years, needed no prompting to covert the chance and make it 2-0.

Burscough continued to struggle to create many worthwhile chances and Vauxhall actually looked the more likely scorers in the latter stages. Reynolds saving from Cairns and Sean Moscrop hit the Linnets crossbar.

It was a frustrating day for Burscough, they had plenty of the ball but the Vauxhall defence smothered them and prevented their usual good attacking football. Vauxhall are bang in form at present and the confidence that brings was hard to control, Paul Bowes team will bounce back soon.

Reynolds, McNally, Fleming, Brady ©, Kinsella, Williams, Christiansen, Smith, Lomax G., McNamara, Lomax C. Subs Denson, Salisbury, Martland, Sinnott, Conway

O’Loughlin, Gouldbourne, Drummond, Thelwell, Mitchell ©, Cooper, Knapper, Moscrop, Ruane, Holmes, Burkey Subs Brandon, Cairns, James, Riley, Deer

Peter Leonard

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