Hesketh Bank AFC Match Reports

1st Team - Reserves - A Team

1ST TEAM

20/08/11 - Hesketh Bank 1-2 Haslingden St Marys

Our second home game of the season ended in a narrow defeat against Haslingden St Marys. Changes were made after the defeat the week before with Watson and Henerty both slotting into the starting 11. A sluggish start again in the first half saw us lucky not to be 1-0 down after 5 minutes when a Haslingden forward shot inside the box and hit the post. Once we relaxed we again settled into a good rhythm with some good passing that matched Haslingden. Chances are being created and again not taken which we are finding is costing us games as teams are punishing us at the other end with some good finishing. After dominating long periods of the first half and failing to convert into the Haslingden goal some careless defending in our own box by Norgate led to a clear foul on the Haslingden winger and gave the referee no option but to point to the spot just before the half time whistle. The penalty was converted and we went into the break 1-0 down.

After the break we started brightly and again chances went begging with keeper Sergent being given little to do as we pressed for the equaliser. The injured Johnson was replaced by Cox and the ever improving Henerty was moved inside with Cox playing wide. Some good wing play from both Norgate and Cox were creating enough space in the final third but I'm afraid to say the quality of finishing was not there on the day. Mamby replaced Burns for his first appearance of the season and seemed to add pace to our front line and started causing the Haslingden back line problems with them tiring. Then an unfortunate incident that has seen keeper Sergent been put out of action when a collision in the first half was worse than expected and looks like a fractured collar bone has put him out of action for at least 3 months. Cope off the bench volunteered to put the gloves on and did a job for us which no one else seemed to offer! Towards the end of the game we pressed again searching for a equaliser and went close on 3 occasions. Then a quick Haslingden break when pushing men on caught us short and although there was a suspicion of off side we went 2-0 down. A consolation goal from the sharp Mamby made the score line 2-1. In the end another game dominated by ourselves but lacking the end product. Next up Crooklands away, a result is a must.

James Smith

Photos by Darren McDonald

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