End of Season Blues

Wednesday 27^th April

vs. TMS 3-5

Team: Ciarán B; Tom, Joe, Stephen (capt.), Matty; Jacob, Caleb, Josh, Adam; Seamus, Ciarán S. Subs: Elliot, Danny.

The boys finished the spring season with a spirited display against the eventual league champions.

Against such strong opposition, you need everything going for you but luck was not to be on their side tonight. After only five minutes, Seamus set Ciarán S free and saw his fellow striker upended inside the box – only for the referee to give a free kick outside the area.

Spurred on by this, they took the lead in the 11^th minute as Caleb latched onto a poor clearance and rifled home from the edge of the box. The boys continued to take the game to their opponents but conceded an equaliser after 16 minutes, falling victim yet again to a simple header from a TMS corner.

Most of the boys’ attacks were coming down the left and Ciarán S was having a busy game, with Matty’s rearguard action setting him in to space. Caleb was alert in intercepting a TMS throw-in, only for his ball to hit Ciarán S on the heel (who had run over the black cat?). Josh was the next provider, but Ciarán’s header was wide; next, he couldn’t get on the end of Adam’s pass. Ciarán S then turned provider, picking up the ball from Josh’s throw to set up Jacob, whose shot went just wide, as the half finished all square.

Tom and Joe swapped defensive duties in the second half and straight from the restart they were into the heart of TMS as Seamus and Caleb worked to slip the ball to Ciarán S, only for the last man to intercept. Such a strong first half showing meant TMS had to up their performance and they took the lead two minutes in as the boys struggled to clear under fierce pressure.

Once again, they showed themselves the equal of their opponents and went straight back down the other end to level the scores. Caleb lifted the ball wide right to Jacob, whose cut back was flicked in – on the run – by Ciarán S for a splendid equaliser.

As the game began to open up, chances were coming for both teams. A touch from Jacob almost set Adam in at one end, before Tom made a great recovery at the other. However, the boys were looking stretched at the back and TMS retook the lead in the 35^th minute in fortunate circumstances as a sliced shot looped over Ciarán B’s head.

Still, they pressed forward as Josh created some space for Seamus, which was quickly snuffed out by the TMS defence. Elliot was on to replace Joe in the 38^th minute and, after Stephen had cleared upfield, Jacob’s goalbound header was cleared off the line.

Danny replaced Ciarán S and Stephen moved into midfield to add some bite but the end-to-end action continued. After Adam’s work on the left, TMS eventually cleared long and Ciarán B had to be quick to come out and clear.

This was Adam’s last action as a knock to the leg saw Ciarán S return to the action. TMS were now getting to grips with a wearying midfield and, after shooting wide in the 47^th minute and a great header clearance from Josh, Ciarán B made a great save when one-on-one with the forward. He was powerless in the 50^th minute, though, after pushing one shot out to prevent a lofted deflection sailing into the net. A minute later TMS made it 5-2 as a run straight through the heart of defence went unchallenged and the Crosby keeper’s valiant effort wasn’t enough. 

Though tired, they weren’t about to give up completely and Ciarán S pulled one back, lifting the ball expertly over the keeper with 4 minutes left on the clock. Once again, the tired midfield allowed TMS a free run and it took a great point blank save from Ciarán B to prevent them extending the lead further. Tom was also on hand moments later, sweeping up as the last man, to thwart another attack and, although they finished on the attack they were unable to close the deficit.

This was a good effort against the champions to finish the Spring Season. Three well-worked goals – and a clear penalty – have to be weighed up against defensive lapses, especially when there are four chances to clear the ball before the shot comes in. TMS are a good side and the boys gave them a game, none more so than Ciarán S with two well taken goals and hard work up front to take the Man of the Match award.

A Game Too Far

Monday 19th April

vs. Silcox Villa 1-3

Team: Ciarán B; Elliot, Tom, Stephen (capt.), Matty; Joe, Danny, Josh, Caleb, Adam; Seamus. Sub: Ciarán S, Jacob.

The boys were well beaten in a weary display as a punishing schedule finally caught up with them.

Silcox were pushing them back from the start, and Stephen took a knock in the 2^nd minute clearing a corner, being replaced by Jacob with Josh dropping into defence. The changes probably didn’t help in the 4^th minute as they went a goal down. A missed clearance left Silcox with loads of space on the right and, with Ciarán B in two minds in dealing with the cross, the forward was left with an easy tap-in.

Silcox were looking to increase the lead and Ciarán B dealt more confidently with a long range effort. It was the 12^th minute before the boys put some passes together as Seamus, Caleb and Adam combined, with the winger’s cross touched just wide by Seamus.

The forward was working hard as usual but was having no luck amongst the big Silcox centre backs and the defence just got to Caleb’s ball before him on the 16^th minute. Moments later, Adam weaved down the left flank only for the keeper to be first to his cross.

Ciarán B had to be alert as the bounce deceived another head and Silcox got in with a shot on goal. Trying to freshen up the display, Joe went forward with Danny moving into the right wing slot after 18 minutes and the boys then enjoyed a period of pressure but could not force the equaliser.

Although a Josh free kick in the 21^st minute, awarded for handball after a poor goal kick, was cleared, they kept the pressure up and Caleb’s shot minutes later was pushed around the post by the keeper. Matty went close at the near post from the corner but was soon in action back at the other end, this time to head clear.

The boys were going forward as half time approached, as Josh’s long range effort bounced in front of the keeper who could only scramble it away and an excellent corner form Caleb was too good for attack and defence and ran away to safety.

Stephen had recovered to take up his central defensive position in the second half, with Danny and Joe taking a breather as Ciarán S also came on to support Seamus. The changes pepped up the forwards straight away as Seamus set Adam away, only for his shot to be deflected with the keeper palming it onto Seamus’ head, who had no time to react.

With Silcox heading a run of corners clear in the 30^th minute, the boys were pushing for the equaliser and it nearly came a minute later as a delicate ball from Caleb gave Seamus a free run. With a touch, he steadied himself only to see the keeper block the shot on goal.

They still had to be alert at the back, and Stephen and Elliot combined to clear the ball. As Silcox came back at them, Josh headed clear then followed up to win the ball in the challenge. The boys were struggling to keep hold of the ball in midfield, with Silcox seeming to pick up the ball with ease from every clearance.

Ciarán S set Adam away in the 39^th minute, only for Adam’s shot to fall straight to the keeper. A minute later, the boys went two goals down as Silcox found lots of space down the right and the cross was met by an unmarked forward at the near post.

On the 42^nd minute, the boys had a chance to get a goal back when Josh was brought down in the box. Adam stepped up to take the penalty, only to see the ball rasp off the crossbar. No sooner had they suffered one heartbreak, they went three behind as another ball went straight through the middle, leaving Ciarán B with no chance as the defender rifled home.

With a quarter of the match left, further changes were made as Joe and Danny came back on for Tom and Jacob. The boys fought back as, after Caleb’s cross-field ball opened up the pitch, the Silcox goal had a charmed life as a series of shots were blocked in a scramble.  As Silcox brought the ball out, the referee was on the spot to see the feigned injury from Adam’s high foot and gave the ball back to the boys – not everything they see on Match of the Day should be copied!

The boys were still second to the ball in the middle of the park, though, and Ciarán B was on hand to make a fine save in the 50^th minute. Caleb made way for Tom for the final six minutes but it was a great run down the left wing from Adam, hurdling some desperate challenges, which nearly brought the boys a goal. Another cracking corner from Jacob then flew through the crowded box with nobody able to get a touch.

Tom made some good block tackles and was on hand with Elliot to clear the lines, as was Matty to bring it out from in front of the goal as Silcox attacked one more time. On the break, Josh, Ciarán S and Seamus forced a corner and there was Man of the Match Matty on hand at the back post to bundle it over the line for a late consolation goal.

The boys are the only team in the top half of the table who have played back-to-back matches for the last three weeks. Combined with all the other activities of an average 9-10 year old, it is easy to understand why they have run out of steam over the last few games. This tired display probably saw their title chances disappear into the dust of another grassless Hightown pitch but they should be very proud of all they have achieved since Christmas.

With the TMS match having been postponed, the boys have the weekend to rest, eat plenty of Easter eggs and come back ready to finish the season in style.

Late Goal Keeps Boys in Title Chase

Saturday 16th April

vs. Camlyn Rangers 2-2

Team: Ciarán B; Elliot, Joe, Stephen (capt.), Matty; Danny, Josh, Caleb, Jacob, Adam; Seamus. Sub: Ciarán S, Tom.

A game of two halves may well be a cliché but after this Jekyll and Hyde display the boys managed to rescue a point.

By their own high standards, they were poor in the first half. Perhaps it can be blamed on the early kick off, but the midfield hardly won a challenge and far too often they were guilty of waiting for their opponents to take the first touch or turning their back on the ball. The passing, so good on Monday, was all over the place.

Elliot at least started brightly at the back, with a couple of good cross-field balls going forward and some diligent defending, and Ciarán B had to be alert to some long range efforts. Matty was keeping up Monday’s form and Seamus was working hard up front but he was feeding on crumbs, although Adam did set him away in the 6^th minute to force a save from the keeper.

They went a goal down in the 12^th minute as a run down the right wing was unchallenged. A good cross was met first time to leave Ciarán B with no chance. Three minutes later and the lead had been doubled after a mistake on the edge of the box left the forward with a run on goal.

Changes were needed and Tom came on for Danny, with Stephen pushed forward into midfield. He was straight into the action winning the ball but his team mates were slow to respond to his pace.

In the 21^st minute Ciarán B was on hand again, scrambling in the dust to collect the ball, although the referee had blown for offside. As the half closed, the boys could only be grateful that they weren’t more than two behind.

Ciarán S replaced Jacob at half time, with Josh dropping back into defence and Joe going to the right wing. After the hairdryer treatment from Ian, they went out in the second half and finally started to play some football.

Two minutes in, Adam and Ciarán S linked up to force the Camlyn defence back. They were now boxing their opponents in as they took advantage of some weak goal kicks. Adam was seeing a lot more of the ball and using it to good effect. Stephen was continuing to shine in midfield and his neat ball from the left was cleverly nodded on by Joe into space but the defender came across to clear.

The defence still had to be alert to any breaks from Camlyn and Matty covered neatly in the 40^th minute. He was also playing well at left back, cleaning up any stray balls that the midfield missed and his throw-ins down the line were constantly setting up forward moves.

They were getting closer to the goal and in the 41^st minute an excellent ball back across the goal from Ciarán S was just beyond Seamus. They finally made the breakthrough a minute later as a throw-in from Josh was touched on by Adam who rounded the defender to coolly slot it home.

All the good work nearly came to nothing in the 45^th minute as Ciarán B was forced to make a save as the Camlyn forward broke free and he was on hand in the 49^th minute to come out and punch the ball off the forward’s head, with Tom doing the cleaning up.

Danny came on for Caleb for the last 5 minutes as the boys pressed forward. Adam lifted a ball over the defence but nobody could get onto the end of it and, with time running out, Ian’s last throw of the dice was to sacrifice a defender, replacing Tom with Jacob. The move worked as, in the 54^th minute, Ciarán S combined with Joe to set up Stephen who arced it over the keeper’s head and into the net. Although the boys pushed on looking for a winner, it was asking too much and the game finished honours even.

Perhaps the best thing to do is to chalk this one down to experience. As bad as they were in the first half, the boys deserve great credit for playing - not battling - their way back into the game in the second. Hopefully the midfield can get back to the sort of play we have come to expect, with incisive passing rather than allowing the opponents to dictate the game. With Silcox Villa next up they can look to get back to winning ways on Monday. That just leaves TMS – at their best, the boys can record a famous victory. Only thing is, the match is another 9am kick off: surely they’ll be up early for that one!

No debate on Man of the Match – Stephen takes the medal for finally putting some steel into the midfield and was worthy of the award before his goal. Hats off to Ian for making the change, too – even if it leaves him with a tactical quandary for next time!

Sweet Revenge As Lions Are Tamed

Monday 11th April

vs. Marina Sands Lions 2-0

Team: Ciarán B; Elliot, Joe, Stephen (capt.), Matty; Danny, Josh, Caleb, Adam; Jacob, Seamus. Sub: Ciarán S, Tom.

Classy football up front and defending by the whole team in the second half brought a victory to savour for those both on the pitch and off it. School on Monday will be something for some of the boys to look forward to!

From the whistle, they were on the attack and got the perfect start after only three minutes as Josh picked up the ball from Caleb and coolly lobbed the ball into the net from outside the box, leaving the Lions’ keeper floundering.

With more than just three points at stake, this was always going to be a fast and furious game and Stephen and Elliot needed to be alert only a minute later, conceding a corner which was easily cleared.

The boys were already playing the better football, keeping the ball on the ground and creating space with movement and precise passing. Adam, Seamus and Jacob brought the ball out to relieve the defence and although the Lions stood firm, Adam had a chance moments later to set up Josh but this time he shot wide.

The wind may have been with the boys but the Lions pace on the attack kept them on their toes and Ciarán B made a vital block with an outstretched leg in the 8^th minute to keep them in the lead. Elliot was having a busy time and some determined defending was needed, even as the Lions came close with a header narrowly wide from another corner.

Caleb, Jacob and Josh combined down the left with passing good enough to grace any pitch, only for Jacob to pull his shot wide. The Lions were struggling to hold the boys at bay now as first Adam and then Caleb provided chances for Seamus but he couldn’t extend this season’s tally.

The weak spot in the Lions’ defence seemed to be their left and more incredible one-touch football between Caleb, Josh and Adam in the 17^th minute set the winger free but another chance went begging.

The Lions finally broke out and Stephen again needed to be alert and Ciarán B pounced before the forward could react. He was at his best again in the 20^th minute to get down and make the save after a mistake on the edge of the box.

The ball had been like a hot potato in this half, but when the boys brought it under control and relaxed, they were creating the chances but without any luck in front of goal as Seamus’ reliable right foot deserted him once again.

It was a tight first half but the boys had carved out the better chances and deserved the lead that they had all worked hard to gain. On the touchline, nerves were jangling – would one goal be enough now that they were playing into the wind?

Tom and Ciarán S were on for the second half, with Elliot and Jacob taking a break, and the Lions came straight at them looking for the equaliser. Within two minutes of the restart, Ciarán B was called on to block away a shot with Joe on hand to help it clear.  

The boys were struggling to get out of their own half but valiant defending by Joe, Tom, Stephen and especially Matty was keeping the Lions at bay and leaving Ciarán B to watch as the ball went wastefully wide, mixed with the odd easy take.  

It wasn’t all one way traffic, however, and again it was Matty, feeding neat low balls down the left wing for Adam to chase that ensured the Lions couldn’t relax at the back.

In the 40^th minute, more resolute defending kept the Lions out as Danny blocked the ball along the goal line for a corner. Fired in from the left, a stray touch from the boys saw the ball squirt just wide for another corner. Although Matty’s head was there to clear the ball, the shot from the edge of the box buzzed wide.

Sometimes the touches were strong, sometimes they were just enough at full stretch but the boys were standing firm. Out wide, Danny and Adam, working with Joe and Matty, were the first line of defence as the Lions struggled to fashion any clear-cut chances. Instead it was Adam, racing around the full back in the 43^rd minute only to be tackled as the centre back came across to cover, who carved out the opening. With a quick throw-in, Seamus was in on goal only to push it narrowly wide.

A minute later, Matty was on hand again to make a succession of tackles and slip the ball into midfield. Josh set Adam away down the left for a cross that the Lions’ keeper was grateful to hold onto.

In the 50^th minute an absolutely knackered Danny was replaced by Jacob and he was soon pushing the Lions back on the right. The Lions had tried a number of different combinations up front in the second half without any luck and even when a shot made its way through in the 51^st minute, Ciarán B was able to make a comfortable save and take his time with the clearance.

The Lions seemed to have run out of steam by now – the centre backs knew they had been in a game with Seamus at them all match, aided by Ciarán S in the second half, and both had been quick to drop back and work when necessary. Still the lead was only a single goal and, as Seamus’ determination let Caleb set him up, his miskick in the 55^th minute left everyone on the touchline with no fingernails left.

It was if Seamus had just been playing with our nerves as, set free by Josh as he popped up on the left side yet again, he slipped the ball past the despairing keeper with two minutes left to finally leave one side of the pitch wild. Job done, at last, barely a smile crossed his face as his team mates mobbed him.

With the game as good as won, it was left to Ciarán B to expertly step across the forward to see the ball out and the boys to see a shot from a late Lions’ corner go high and wide to see out the game.

In the past, the boys have been overawed by the physical presence of the Lions. Not tonight. There was a determination to win this match, laced with spells of splendid football that marked this out as one of their best performances. They thoroughly deserved to win the game and strengthen their position at the top of the table. All thirteen boys played a vital role in the victory but for some staunch defending, fearless headers and taking every chance to turn attack into defence, Matty was a well-deserved the Man of the Match.

Back To Winning Ways

Saturday 9^th April

vs. Ormskirk WE Blue 5-1

Team: Ciarán B; Elliot, Joe, Stephen (capt.), Matty; Danny, Josh, Caleb, Adam; Jacob, Seamus. Sub: Ciarán S, Tom.

The boys bounced back from their first defeat and returned to the top of the table in a match where, with a little better application, they could have run up a cricket score on the pitch adjacent to the square.

For once, they went straight at their opponents and were a goal up in 2 minutes. Elliot fed the ball forward and a perfectly weighted ball allowed Adam to flick the ball past the onrushing keeper.

Elliot played a similar ball over the top minutes later for Seamus. His step out and turn bamboozled the Ormskirk defence only to shoot just wide. They only had to wait another minute to double their lead, though, as a poor cross from Adam ended up going through the keeper’s hands.

Ormskirk were hanging on now as Caleb shot over the bar after some good footwork on the edge of the box by Jacob. Adam then had a chance for the hat-trick, only to see the ball run away from him and safe into the keeper’s hands.

Matty was back in the wars with an accidental bang to the knee, with Tom coming on and Stephen moving to left back in the 8^th minute. The captain was soon busy, clearing to safety as Ormskirk broke down the right.

Ciarán B was called into action in the 11^th minute as indecision in midfield allowed Ormskirk through to force a save from the Crosby netminder. Although they were still pushing forward down the wings – Adam and Josh worked well down the left to set up Jacob and then Danny’s deep cross from the right was too good for everybody – once again they were not winning enough of the ball in the middle of the pitch and allowed their opponents to get back into the game.

On the 20^th minute, a ball down the middle evaded everyone and Ciarán B had to grasp the ball back as the Ormskirk forward tried to touch it past him. This served to wake the boys up and they came close to increasing their lead minutes later as first Danny and then Jacob saw shots blocked after Caleb had fed the ball in from the right.

As usual, Seamus had worried the opponent’s defence all half and he was unlucky not to score in the 23^rd minute as his goal was chalked off for a poor looking offside decision (this time by a lady assistant referee who clearly didn’t know the rules!). A minute later his neat footwork created another chance but the keeper was equal to it.

Danny had finished the half up front and he stayed there into the second half as Ciarán S replaced Jacob at the break. Matty had run off his knock and replaced Elliot in defence, where Tom had finished the first half with a good headed clearance.

With these positional changes, the second half started scrappily. Typical busy work from Josh in the 35^th minute forced a corner, from which Adam volleyed just wide. Ormskirk were still in it, though, and Tom and Matty were both grateful for Ciarán B as the keeper picked up after they both missed the clearance.

As Ormskirk pushed up in search of a goal, they were allowing runs behind the defence and Danny was unlucky not to take advantage as his final touch just ran away from him. Adam then showed off his dribbling skills on the left, riding three desperate lunges to get a cross in that was scrambled to safety.

The third goal came in the 38^th minute by Route One as a deep clearance from Ciarán B was headed backwards by the Ormskirk defence. Seamus was onto it in an instant and his shot was in the net before the keeper could act.

With a comfortable lead, Ian took advantage to make a few more positional switches. Danny was replaced by Jacob, Ciarán S went up front with Joe on his right shoulder and Josh filling in at the back. The changes worked immediately as the fourth goal went in after 41 minutes. Jacob fed Ciarán S who brought the ball under control, settled himself and rifled it in at the near post to score his first for the team.

Elliot was given a chance up front after 45 minutes, replacing Seamus, although Ormskirk’s goal in the 49^th minute cannot be blamed on this change! A missed tackle on the edge of the box allowed the shot which went under Ciarán B, with the scowl on the Crosby keeper’s face telling everybody what he thought.

Apart from a late clearance to touch from Tom after a missed header, the boys then spent the rest of the match on the attack. Adam again worked some space to set up Elliot but he couldn’t quite take advantage but he got the fifth two minutes from the end after an excellent ball in from Ciarán S had set up Adam. His shot was saved but Elliot was on hand to hook in the rebound. Still they weren’t finished and a cross-shot from Joe was blocked by the keeper’s legs on the final whistle.

This was a good performance which could have been a lot better. Too often the midfield was guilty of being out of position or not winning the header to bring the ball under control. The boys made it more uncomfortable for themselves than it should have been but they created lots of chances with some excellent football. The two early goals and the constant threat to the Ormskirk defence made Adam the obvious choice as Man of the Match today.

Blown Away....

Monday 4^th April

vs. Scarisbrick Stars 3-6

Team: Ciarán B; Elliot, Joe, Stephen (capt.), Matty; Danny, Josh, Caleb, Adam; Jacob, Seamus. Sub: Tom

With the TMS match postponed due to more heavy rain, the boys' unbeaten run finally came to an end on Monday evening in difficult conditions against a well organised team.

Kicking into a strong wind, they had to work hard from the whistle just to break out of their own half. Jacob, playing just behind Seamus, and Josh were involved from the start but Joe and then Stephen had to be alert at the back in the 2^nd minute.

By playing the ball on the floor, they were able to make progress and Caleb was unlucky to see a typically precise ball run through to the keeper. Scarisbrick took full advantage of the wind in the 6^th minute, however, as Ciarán could only help a speculative shot into the net.

Although the boys were winning more headers than usual – take a bow Stephen, Matty and especially Jacob – they were letting Scarisbrick control midfield by not keeping their shape and Ciarán pushed a 9^th minute corner onto a post as Scarisbrick went hunting for a second.

When he had the chance, Seamus was buzzing around the centre backs and got some reward in the 11^th minute. His shot was saved but a weak clearance fell straight to Adam but the chance came to nothing.

On the 12^th minute they went two behind with a carbon copy of the first goal leaving Ciarán grasping at air but they went straight up the other end and got one back. Excellent midfield play from Josh gave Adam a chance and his rising shot was too good for the keeper.

Three minutes later, a Jacob header, this time in the box, went wide but the defence was back to work a minute later with a Matty header clearing the ball soundly over the crossbar.

Matty was getting involved and his neat touches with Adam and Caleb relieved the pressure on the defence. They survived a scare on the 20^th minute as Jacob headed off the line after a save from Ciarán was steered back at goal. The boys were weathering the pressure, with Ciarán at full stretch to grab a loose ball, and creating half chances at other end, after more positive play from Jacob. They deserved to go in at half-time only one goal down but disaster struck two minutes before the break as Ciarán’s handling let him down and the Scarisbrick forward trampled over him to tap the ball in.

Tom replaced Danny at half time, with Joe moving to the right to try and take advantage of the wind now at their backs. They didn’t have the chance to get back into the game as they went 4-1 down straight from the kick off. With plenty of space suddenly appearing on the left flank, the Scarisbrick winger pushed forward and crossed the ball for the forward – surely standing miles offside – to tap into an empty net.

They then proved that the boys hadn’t learnt the lesson as they extended the lead further in the 34^th minute. Once again too much space on the left made it easy for Scarisbrick although this time they were fortunate to see a scuffed cross pushed home as Elliot did his best to prevent the goal. After 37 minutes, they made it 6-1 as a weak clearance was thumped into the corner of Ciarán’s net.

To their credit, the boys didn’t let their heads drop and continued to take the game to their opponents. Josh moved out wide as Joe went forward. Caleb had a good shout for handball in the area ignored by the ref and then set up Seamus only for his shot to be blocked away.

Elliot, having put everything into a succession of throw-ins all game, had run himself out and was replaced by Danny after 41 minutes. Jacob was now in a more central position and his long range shot forced a save from the keeper, who was the equal of a Seamus rocket moments later.

The gaps on the left were still present and Scarisbrick broke free into plenty of space in the 44^th minute, forcing another save from Ciarán and he was on hand moments later to pounce on the loose ball from the corner. Back on the attack, the boys came close to reducing the deficit in the 46^th minute as Josh created space on the right. His cross fell to Adam, only for his shot to hit the crossbar.

Tom had quietly got on with his job on the right side of the defence in the second half with a series of confident touches and clearances and he was on hand again in the 48^th minute, tracking the break and timing his clearance to perfection.

A minute later, the boys finally got the goal their display in the second half deserved as Josh was on hand to pop the ball through the keeper’s legs after his handling had let him down. On 51 minutes it was 6-3 as Seamus’ controlled volley from Josh’s corner made the scoreline more respectable.

Although they had left the comeback a bit late, the two goals caused some panic in the Scarisbrick ranks and they were happy to see the ball pumped back into the Crosby Stuart half. They regained some composure to force a scrambling stop from Ciarán and when another long ball held up in the wind Tom was on hand to clear up and close out the match.

Credit is due to Scarisbrick for taking better advantage of the strong winds but the quality of the match was not helped by the use of full size goals in these conditions. At times the boys made it too easy for their opponents but they showed great spirit and determination to force their way back into the match. For spells they played the better football  - Scarisbrick had conceded only two goals this season before this match – and it might have been a lot different if one or two decisions had gone their way. They need to take their showing in the last quarter into Saturday’s match and bounce back to winning ways.

Tom was deservedly voted Man of the Match for an assured second half defensive display, his best performance since joining the squad.