Vodkat League

Wednesday 9th September 2009

The points were shared in this East Lancashire Derby which saw the Luker brothers coming head to head, both captains of their respective clubs, John for Nelson, Davey for Bacup. It was Davey that got one up on his brother when he competed well for the ball, held off various challenges before creating space to get his shot off which first Lee Oldham helped the ball on its way and Steve Smith added the final touch to give Bacup a twenty third minute goal.

Bacup had another chance to have increased their lead when following a Nelson attack Bacup quickly countered before putting the ball through to Arran Spencer who was through but put his shot wide of the post.

Bacup had a let off just before the break when last defender Lee Anderson sliced his clearance, with the Nelson striker chasing the loose ball goalkeeper Paul Horridge was quickly off his line before diving across the striker but cleverly pulling his hands away. The striker dived, the Referee pointed to the spot but the Assistant who had a clear view ruled the striker had taken a dive, no penalty awarded, a goal kick was given and the Ssriker earned himself a booking.

The second half got underway and Nelson were soon on level terms, the home side won a throw in, the receiver easily got round his marker before finding Martin Payne who was left unmarked in the area to have the simplest of finishes.

Bacup almost got back in front when once again captain Davey Luker did well winning the ball before slipping in Warren Collier who’s shot was spilled by Chris Thompson in the Nelson goal but with no one following up the chance was wasted. It was now Nelson’s turn to take the lead which came as a direct result of defender Adrian Bellamy trying to win a ball which was not there to win, the Nelson striker capitalised upon this and Adrian Bellamy made a rash lunge to win the ball back from which he conceded a free kick. From the resulting kick the defence failed to push out collectively, three out of four defenders squeezed out but one defender stayed hence no offside giving the lad the opportunity to finish.

Following this Bacup changed their shape & personnel, Steve Smith was replaced by Moises & Warren Collier was replaced by Scott Taylor, both introductions played a vital role in Bacup Borough’s equaliser. Moises chased a through ball, the Nelson keeper Thompson clearly under pressure from the big striker sliced his clearance which Scott Taylor was on hand to shoot into the empty net to earn his side a share of the points.

Bacup manager Brent Peters said “Sadly missing from Bacup Borough’s performance with the exception of Davey Luker was quality and composure on the ball, something the four players that were missing from the Bacup line up for this game would have given us. Too many times we would win the ball but give the next pass away, too many times we failed to look after the ball, proof of this was both keepers having conceded two goals but in reality neither have had saves to make. From Bacup Borough’s point of view the two goals conceded were poor, players have been told about trying to pinch the ball that leads to is unnecessary pressure.

The amount of times players have been told about squeezing out as a unit when the ball is going the other way, once again both these areas we failed to take note and both situations have cost us goals. On a positive note although on going behind, unlike in previous games, we did not throw the towel in, we showed good character, this despite at the end playing with square pegs in round holes, the team all dug in to ensure we got something from the game”

Team: Paul Horridge, Lee Anderson, Adrian Bellamy, Aaran Walters, Warren Collier (Scott Taylor), Paul Waine, Davey Luker, Kevin Keigher (Martin Cosgrave), Steve Smith (Moises), Aaran Spencer

Subs Not Used: Nick Hodson, Kenneth O’Brian

Goals: Steve Smith 23, Scott Taylor 76

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