HASLINGDEN ST MARY’S ROUND UP
HESKETH BANK RES ...... 0 HSM RESERVES .............. 2
FOURTH placed Haslingden St Mary’s reserves made the trip to Hesketh Bank on Saturday hoping to take advantage of a shortened fixture list where many of their closest rivals games fell foul of the weather.
The Haslingden side welcomed back Goalkeeper Lewis Monahan and forward Zach Brierley after last weeks cup defeat away at Lytham Town and on a heavy pitch both sides moved the ball well in the opening exchanges with Hindle and Wilkinson going close from early chances.
The away side took the lead in the 31st minute. A well worked move down the Mary’s left found Hindle on the edge of the box.
The Hoops striker showed good strength to hold off the attentions of 3 home defenders before squaring the ball to midfielder Cain who slid in to net first goal of the season.
Half time came and went with little between the sides and in the 57th minute the visitors doubled their lead.
Again good work down the left with neat interplay from McGeachie, Cain and Hayhurst who delivered the ball on the money for Hindle to finish from close range.
With a two goal lead Mary’s looked comfortable.
Brierley replaced Jakovlevs for the final 20 minutes, returning from illness he looked lively and was very unlucky not to be awarded a penalty for his endeavours.
The final 10 minutes were played out in a scrappy manner as indiscipline and silly fouls threatened to ruin what had been a hard fought but fair encounter.
This shouldn’t detract from a professional and structured performance however, as Mary’s looked untroubled for the most part and deserved to head home with all three points taking a good run of form into next weeks crucial fixture with table-topping Coppull United FC.
MotM Jack Cain
●●JUNIOR Hoops u8’s Bears v Wiltshire Wanderers u8’s Red
Hoops Line-Up: Elijah Peet, Daniel Trainer, Finley Coleman, Mac Jackson, Leo Vincent, Ellis Cutforth, Mason Freeman, Ollie Anderton.
The Bears, sponsored by MEWP Operator Hire travelled to Wilpshire Saturday morning to play a good footballing Wanderers side and it wasn’t long before the hosts took the lead.
This sparked the Bears into life and Ollie soon had the teams level. He then assisted Mac twice either side of an unfortunate Wilpshire own-goal. And with Leo and Ellis working hard to win the ball in midfield, Mason grabbed another goal shortly before half time.
The second half was a much more even match with both teams playing some excellent attacking football.
Finley and Daniel defended resolutely and Elijah made some smart blocks in goal to keep the Bears on top.
Mac soon completed his hat-trick, catching out the keeper at his near post direct from a corner, before Wilpshire pulled a goal back.
The teams continued to trade goals with another own-goal, a deserved goal
for Ellis and another for Ollie sandwiching
Wanderers efforts. MOM: Ellis Cutforth.