Vodkat North West Counties Premier League

Saturday 4th October 2008

Bacup Borough produced a comprehensive performance against St Helens to take all three points. Manager Brent Peters kept faith with the side that started against Flixton in midweek with the exception of Lee Oldham who dropped to the substitutes bench making way for the return of leading scorer Tommy Turner.

It was Turner that brought the best out of the St Helens keeper from a well worked move, Turner must have thought It was not going to be his day when he took the ball off the last defender before homing down on goal, Kevin Woods the Saints keeper raced off his line but Taylor went round him but the faintest of touches from the keeper was enough to ensure Turner was not going to score.

Despite the early pressure from Borough Saints were gifted an opportunity to take the lead when the match official adjudged that Ryan Marley had impeded the St Helens Striker. It seemed an harsh decision and one which none of the St Helens team claimed, however justice seemed to be done when the spot kick was knocked wide of Melville’s post.

At the opposite end the home side’s lively Kyle Harrop beat the offside trap, advancing down onto Kevin Woods goal, Woods Rushed of his line but Harrop got the better of him before pulling back for the strikers who failed to make a good opportunity count.

On 37 minutes Bacup broke the deadlock as a result of good work by Warren Collier who delivered a quality ball into the box, Matthew Cross advanced into the area and with the ball dropping Cross produced a stunning overhead kick into the net.

From this Bacup mounted more attacks, Warren Collier received the ball down the channel before playing the ball into Turner who cut inside before putting the ball into the penalty area. With his strike partner Slavin not making up the ground to get onto the end of the cross it was easy for the defenders to defend & bring the ball out mounting an attack. However, the Bacup midfield won the ball back and the ball was played to Slavin but his touch let him down before getting out muscled off the ball which started a rare St Helens attack from which the ball narrowly went wide of Melville’s post ensuring that Bacup went in at the half time break with their slender lead intact.

At half time Manager Brent Peters made a substitution bringing on Martin Cosgrave for Dominic Slavin. Bacup started well and were soon putting the St Helens defence under constant pressure and the busy Karl Harrop released Turner who brought the best again out of keeper Woods. Another flowing move followed which Jamie Rother started and almost finished with a stunning thirty yard shot which the keeper tipped over his cross bar for a corner.

Bacup’s keeper Phil Melville was now a mere spectator as his team continually built up attacks, Kyle Harrop & Jamie Rother combined well before Rother was taken out just as he was about to advance into the penalty area, a free kick was awarded but came to nothing. However no 67 minutes the pressure told and Bacup went further in front when following a good move Harrop who found Turner making a welcome return to score adding to his seasons goal tally with a well taken goal.

Three minutes later Bacup increased their lead when St Helens conceded a free kick left of centre at the edge of the penalty area. Matthew Cross came up to produce a quality finish giving the Saints keeper no chance. Martin Cosgrave had chance to increase the Bacup lead when Turner ran at the heart of the saints defence before delivering a beautiful reverse pass to Cosgrave but with the goal at his mercy and what should have been a certain goal the ball went wide of the post.

Bacup made two substitutions, Nicky Taylor replaced Kyle Harrop and Lee Oldham replaced Martin Cosgrave who had taken a knock on his ankle. St Helens had a rare chance to pull a goal back when Steve Sheils was caught in two minds. This called for Melville to tip over for a corner. St Helens delivered a quality ball but the Saints failed to get on the end of the incoming delivery.

Bacup’s Jamie Rother then went down injured and had to leave the field and with all Bacup’s substitutes having been used it meant the game had to be seen out with ten men but Bacup still had chances to have further increased their three goal advantage.

Manager Brent Peters had this to say “Scoring three goals and keeping our second clean sheet in four days is pleasing. We look a very good solid unit at the back and our midfield were so busy that St Helens were not given opportunities to build anything going forward. Kyle Harrop did well with Jamie Rother breaking from the centre of the park in the first half particular but up front I felt we did not press the ball enough particular when their defenders were in possession. I felt we could have closed them better high up the pitch and by doing this helping the midfield and also gives the defence chance to take an higher line up the pitch. This was one of the reasons I made the change with Dominic for Martin Cosgrave, I got frustrated with Dominic as he had set good standards in our last game with his work ethics and creativity by pressing the ball. In the second half it was not surprising with Martin Cosgrave addressing what I felt we were lacking in the first half that far more opportunities and good flowing moves were produced. This along with better quality of passing from everyone ensured it was a good all round team effort with three well deserved points.”

Team: Phil Melville, Ryan Marley, Steve Sheils, David Luker, Matthew Cross, Warren Collier, Matthew Hampson, Kyle Harrop (Nicky Taylor), Jamie Rother, Dominic Slavin (Martin Cosgrave),(Lee Oldham), Tommy Turner.

Subs Not Used: John Borg, Matthew Andrew

Goals: Matthew Cross 37 70, Tommy Turner 67

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