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Hesketh Bank AFC Match Reports RESERVES 28/08/2011 - Hesketh Bank 3-4 Milnthorpe Corinthians 20/08/2011 - Burscough Richmond 1-0 Hesketh Bank Today the West Lancs league played host to a very rare event - a West Lancashire Derby. Burscough Richmond's ascendancy from the local Preston and District league has gone far better than they ever could have hoped, after today's result their record is 4 played, 4 won, 5 scored and 0 conceded. The Reserves welcomed back Liam Sealey and Alex Lenny from injury while James Green continued at left back and Adam Birkby was joined in midfield by Brian Livesey. A wet surface provided a perfect surface for a derby match where both teams were intent on a passing game to open up their opposing defence. After a series of half chances and almost attempts the half ended on a sour note with a skirmish that almost spilled over into a game ending brawl. After an extended half time break an equalibrium was restored and the game would continue. The second half began with the entrance of Mohammed Lulat, who replaced Adam Birkby. A settled defensive display was tarnished when Burscough scored what would be the only goal of the game. An unmarked striker found plenty of time and space at the back post to slot home the winner. As the half continued and the away side worked hard to get back into the game chances for center halves Matthew Dawson and Tony Sergeant were both squandered. Despite a brave performance that was solid for all but about 10 seconds the Reserves suffered their second straight defeat and have once again narrowly missed out on imposing themselves against the division's dominant teams. Next week Milnthorpe Corinthians (the division's only Cumbrian side) travel to Station Road for a 3.00pm kick off. __________________________________________________________ 15/08/2011 - Hesketh Bank 2-3 Lostock St Gerards This fixture was always going to be one of the toughest of the season and it certainly didn't dissapoint. Dave Tomilinson made his first appearance of the season replacing injured Marc Sergeant in goal. With Liam Sealey still carrying a knock James Green made the step down from the first team and settled in neatly at left back. Adam Birkby came into play in one of the two holding roles in front of the back four. An early goal by Marc Pinckard settled any opening nerves and for the next 60 minutes the home side looked solid, comfortable and threatening. The midfield battle was by far the most intense of the season as neither side was prepared to back out of any challenge. At half time the score was a deserved 1-0. The second 45 started as the pervious one had finished. It became evident that Lostock were intent on pressing, pushing and harrying their opposition off the ball and ensured we had little time to settle into a passing rytham. Finally the Amber and Black wall was breached when a bulleting header was converted from a corner, 1-1. Minutes later and Gerards took the lead after a pin point cross was converted with another fine header. A shaken 2nd team conceded a penalty soon after. In absolute honesty the referee and the home side where on the wrong end of blatent 'simulation' but a ref's decision is final and fortunately Dave Tomilinson was up to the task and made the required save. As we pressed for an equaliser John Ascroft battled his way through the oncoming keeper to slot home into an empty net. With just 4 minutes to go another dive lead to a free kick outside the home sides 18 yard box. The free kick made its way through the wall and trickled under Tomlinson to give the away side all 3 points. Despite the decisions that went against the 2nd team this result was a reminder that against the top teams we have to be a little more flexible and at least attempt to control possesion for longer periods. Overall it was a strong performance against a strong side. If we wish to really be in the mix of the top teams come the end of the season these types of performances have to be converted into points. Another learning experience that will take the 2nd team in the right direction. On Saturday we face what appears to be a defensively strong Burscough Richmond away with a 3.00pm kick off. __________________________________________________________ 13/08/2011 - Todmorden Borough 3-4 Hesketh Bank Coming off the back of a convincing victory over Lytham the 2nd team felt confident in repeating that performance at one of the league's furthest outposts, the West Yorkshire based Todmorden Borough. Alex Lenny and Liam Sealey were missing with injury but the team welcomed back Marc Sergeant in goal after missing the 2-0 Lytham victory with a wrist problem. The opening minutes saw both sides trying to fathom each other out while getting to grips with a zippy surface that didn't lend itself to overhit passes. It was the away side that struck first as Captain Matthew Dawson rose from the deep and canoned a header against the Todmorden keeper, the resulting loose ball was pounced on by the predatory John Ascroft. Unfortunately the lead would last only a couple of minutes as the home side equalised from the kick off with a fine strike that nestled as far into the corner of Marc Sergeant's goal as the post would allow. This stunned the Reserves only briefly as it wasn't long before half time that the timely touch of Amir Toorawah allowed him space to neatly chip the goalkeeper to make it 2-1 at the break. The 2nd team started the 2nd half with organised purpose that lead into a creative spree as the midfield joined up methodically with the lone striker creating chance after chance. Josh Brierley scored his 2nd of the season when his determination to ride a crunching tackle allowed him space to make it 3-1. Soon after a delightful arched free kick from Brian Livesey was met by the hip of skipper Matthew Dawson to make it a deserved 4-1. With 25 minutes to go the game was won and as sometimes happens with teams who simply aren't used to winning games an overexcitement began to drift into our play. Todmorden took advantage of this nervous period and beat the offside trap to score from close range. Marc Sergeant kept the gap at two goals when he claimed the ball in a crunching 50-50 challenge with a Todmorden forward. With only a couple of minutes remaining Todmorden gave themselves a chance of making a stunning comeback with a curling effort from 18 yards that hit the back of Marc Sergeant's goal. Todmorden gained a free kick just outside the 18 yard area that lead to a very late corner. As the ball bounced around the edge of the 18 yard area the Reserves defended bravely right until the release of the final whistle. Although this game should have been over after 60 minutes the fact is that the 2nd team came home with the points and have learnt along the way that in the West Lancs League if you give the opposition a sniff, you will be punished. There are no easy wins and no easy games. That point will be proved on Monday night as Lostock St Gerards visit Station Road with a 6.30pm kick off. __________________________________________________________ 08/08/2011 - Lytham Town 0-2 Hesketh Bank Officially this was an away fixture for the 2nd team but due to mid week ground problems Lytham asked for the game to played at Station Road. With the memories of Saturday's positive performance (and the bad result) still fresh in the mind the Reserves went out in front of the Station Road crowd with plenty to prove, they needed to back up their own positive perspective. The early exchanges where cagey as both teams look to open up the opposing defence. After ten minutes the home side suffered a blow when midfielder Alex Lenny had to be replaced by Aamir Toorawah. Toorawah made an instant impact when he linked up with John Ascroft and slotted the neat through ball to the feet of Marc Pinckard whose cool finish from 10 yards opened the scroing. Within ten minutes the lead was doubled when Josh Brierly hit an away swinging thunderbolt that clattered the onion bag to a chorus of cheers from the sideline. The second half always threatened to produce chances but nothing of real excitement materialised. Strong pressure from the midfield and a stern line from the back four ensured the game was snuffed out and the 2nd team picked up their first clean sheet and more importantly 3 points of the season. On Saturday the 2nd eleven travel to Yorkshire based Todmorden Borough as they hope to continue converting form into points. __________________________________________________________ 06/08/2011 - Blackpool Wren Rovers 4-1 Hesketh Bank A shocking opening 30 minutes cost the reserves points on the opening day of the season. Faced against a side defending an unbeaten home record that stretches back to the begining of last season the 2nd eleven found themselves 3-0 down after 25 minutes. Thankfully at this time the cob webs were well and truly blown away as suddenly a different side emerged. The remainder of the 1st half saw the tides turn and the momentum shift. John Ascroft opened his account for the season with a nicely taken finish to take the Reserves in at half time with a 2 goal deficit. The second half was dominated by Hesketh Bank. Chance after chance was either plundered or saved by an excellent Blackpool keeper. The workrate, industry and creativity of all the players was in complete contrast to the nervous, rusty team that started the game. With seconds to go Blackpool added a fourth as the away side pushed for goals. This is one of those days were the scoreline doesn't tell the story. Hopefully the lesson has been learnt very early on. If the second half performance is repeated then the Reserves will have a strong season, however anything less and it will be difficult to make an impact on this division. Its better to learn from your negatives and end on a positive. On Monday night Lytham Town visit Station Road for a 6.45pm kick off. __________________________________________________________
2009/2010
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