Raising standards

BACUP Borough manager Brent Peters insists his side can play at a higher level – if they can reproduce the standard of per- formance they served up against Nelson at the weekend.

Peters was full of praise for his side after they picked up a 4-0 away win in the Hallmark Security League First Division North.

It was an emphatic win for Peters’ men, and the Bacup boss was delighted with the performance his players produced.

“Irrespective of our goals and how they were executed, the bottom line was that our team were different class. With this football you would expect to see us higher up the leagues,” he said.

“I was really pleased with the result and I was really proud of the boys, not just because they won the game, but the cherry on top was the manner in which they won.

“We work hard with the lads on roles and responsibilities within team shape, but we don’t always get the team in its entirety fully carrying out their responsibilities.

“However against Nelson it is fair to say that the boys fully did as a team. It really was a polished performance from the lads, and we looked a good, well-drilled side that had every player not only aware of their own responsibilities but also that of their teammates.

“We got ourselves in front which came from a quality delivery from Anthony Hall. Just two weeks ago I criticised my midfield player Darcy O’Connor for not heading the ball, but Darcy made sure he made me eat my words as this time he complimented the quality cross with a well-placed header giving the Nelson goalkeeper no chance.

“No matter how much a team is in control of a game, the opposition will definitely have a good spell, and it is how the team handles themselves through this spell which will probably dictate the outcome.

“Well this game was no different, as just before half-time Nelson were having their best spell in the game and we only had a slender one goal advantage.

“It looked like we had lost this advantage, but somehow our goalkeeper Harry Turner pulled off a fantastic reaction save. That then led to one of Michael Gervin’s special free kicks from over 20 yards out, and just like the save, the precision of Michael’s kick was sheer quality.

“The football in our approach play leading up to our third goal from the penalty spot was really good on the eye. Nelson felt hard done by when a penalty was awarded because Michael Gervin stayed on his feet, but without doubt it was a penalty.

“Gervin was fouled and stumbled before gathering himself, but the foul was enough to put him off and the referee was perfectly correct in his decision. Anthony Hall made no mistake on two occasions from the penalty spot with two quality strikes.”

Bacup are at home on Saturday when they face Daisy Hill, who have only won once so far this season.