Vodkat North West Counties Premier League

Wednesday 24th September 2008

Should come the end of the season Bacup Borough miss out on promotion by two points, they will look back in anger at this result.

Bacup Borough were in pole position come the half time break with a two goal advantage in an half of total Bacup dominance, it took 20 mins to take the lead when Lee Ellis broke through to latch onto a through ball from Steve Sheils before firing his side into the lead, five minutes later it was two nil when Martin Cosgrave made a reverse pass for Warren Collier who was advancing towards the near post but somehow he managed to shoot the ball in from an acute angle.

Two further good opportunities arose when Warren Collier was fowled and a free kick was awarded, Matthew Cross struck the kick attempting to shape the ball which curled round the wrong side of the post, and then Kyle Harrop had a shot which The LR keeper tipped around the post.

Following the half time break it was a different story with Atherton LR starting the half well not allowing Bacup to settle and almost pulled a goal back when Matthew Hampson conceded a free kick which once the ball was delivered into the area, a hooked shot whistled just wide of Horridges post. Although Bacup did not start as well in the second period they continued creating all the openings, first of all Lee Ellis dispossessed the last man before attempting to shape the ball into the top corner of the net but the ball went just wide and then Martin Cosgrave worked hard on the far right side of the pitch getting the better of his marker before releasing Lee Ellis who went around the keeper who forced him wide before going around the keeper again but the opportunity went begging.

On 65 min Bacup conceded a needless free kick, the ball was played in before going out for a corner, Bacup failed to get the corner cleared which resulted in the ball being shaped around a body of players into the corner of the net. If this goal was a bitter pill to swallow following the dominance Bacup had then the next goal two minutes later was a soul destroyer. The ball was delivered across the Bacup six yard box Horridge failed to come and deal with it leaving the Atherton forward who was unmarked to have the simplest of headers into the net.

Bacup tried desperately to get the winner but had they have kept their discipline in the second half, the points would have been in the bag from the two goals scored in the first half.

Manager Brent Peters Had This To Say “On evidence of our last three games what typifies young gifted but in some cases in experienced players, I have seen them reach terrific heights to disappointing low’s , to let the opposition intimidate them to the point of getting involved and losing all concentration. That’s what cost them the three points tonight. We were fully in control having taken a deserved two nil lead, the only thing remaining was to keep disciplined something they failed to do by getting involved with the opposition who were constantly trying intimidating methods due to the vast difference in ability between the two sides,

Atherton were not in the same class when it came to ability but credit to them they got amongst us and tried and succeeded in upsetting our rhythm and concentration, something my lads must learn very quickly to overcome and not rise to the bait. The longer the season progresses and their reputation will increase as a very good football team, more teams will attempt the same method, this is another learning curve, one which they must learn to keep their heads, keep passing the ball, keep scoring the goals which will frustrate the opposition instead of getting themselves involved with the opposition with verbal altercations. Giving away needless free kicks through a lack of self discipline and then to loose all concentration to loose the points in a mad two minutes is very disappointing to say the least “

Team: Paul Horridge, Ryan Marley, Matthew Cross, Steve Sheil, Davey Luker, Warren Collier, Nicky Taylor (Jamie Rother), Matthew Hampson, Kyle Harrop, Martin Gosgrave, (Domonic Slavin, Lee Ellis.

Subs Not Used: Ben Blundell, Matthew Andrews, Phil Melville

Goals: Lee Ellis 22, Warren Collier 29

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