Linnets safety closer despite being sunk by early strike

BURSCOUGH fought hard in the face of a difficult task in East Lancashire on Saturday.

However, a goal scored just two minutes into the game made it a cold afternoon for the travelling Linnets.

They could still console themselves with the thought they are looking more secure by the weekend in their fight for survival in the North West Counties Premier Division.

The old Achilles heel came back to haunt

Burscough, a slow start. Lucas Weaver broke for the hosts and won a corner, from the corner former Southport and FC United defender Billy Priestley converted with a header and although it wasn’t known then the afternoon’s goal scoring entertainment was all over.

Priestley is a very experienced defender who has played for a plethora of clubs and he proceeded to frustrate Burscough for the remainder of the day.

It was an even first half Colne hit a post but former Burscough goalkeeper Charlie Monks made one tremendous save to prevent Steve Rigby from equalising.

The half had been one of few chances, both teams cancelling each other out.

Burscough had the advantage of the considerable slope after the interval but it made no difference, two hard working teams that were competing well kept the chances rare indeed.

In the latter stages Burscough committed more and more players to attempting to save the game with an equaliser, as a result they left more gaps at the back, and Colne almost scoring twice, 3-0 would have been a complete injustice on the balance of the game.

Burscough lost because they didn’t concentrate when defending an early corner, then couldn’t break down their opponents defence as they chased an equaliser, all things that need improvement, they will no doubt get it too, but for now they will have to accept a probable position of safety.

COLNE: Monks, Burrows, Winstanley, Doyle, Cole, Priestley, Weaver, Kardacz, Hebda, Bolton, Williams Subs Entwistle, Edwards, Hasley – Cregg, Thewlis BURSCOUGH: Barry, Coughlan, Bell, Grindrod, McCulloch ©, Darr, Walsh, Monaghan, Sample, Rigby, Hilditch

Subs Kay, Sandle, Ball, Murray ATTENDANCE: 171