Football: Lively performance a real winner
Lytham Town Res 0 Todmorden Borough Res 4 360 West Lancashire League
WHAT should have been a home and away double header between with Borough and Lytham suffered a late blow when, just ten minutes before kick-off, the referee controversially ruled that the Bellholme pitch was not fit for first team action.
Instead it was left to the reserves to fly the flag as they continued their rich vein of form with a comfortable victory.
Boro were rarely troubled apart from brief periods of pressure at the start of each half and the reserves are starting to reap the benefit of using the same squad of players and producing consistent performances.
James Driver returned to central defence which released Danny Lively to play along side James Peavoy in central midfield, creating a pairing of two of the best young talents Todmorden has recently produced.
Boro gained the upper hand from early pressure, a cross from Dave Patrick caused enough panic for a defender to score an own goal whilst desperately trying to head the ball clear. The visitors continued to push forward with Terry Lowe and Joe Whitham probing each flank linking with the strike duo of Nathan Adams and Patrick.
The second goal was one of two specials from the midfield partnership. Lively, first time in midfield for Boro, won the ball on the halfway line and carried the ball forward before unleashing a shot from fully 35 yards.
The goalkeeper managed to get fingertips to the ball but couldn't prevent it finishing in the back of the net.
Boro produced further chances but failed to capitalise and still led 2-0 at the break.
Lytham tried to rally at the start of the second period but Boro's defence remained solid and the visitors soon regained the momentum.
Midway through the second period Boro were awarded a free kick 20 yards out in a central position. Peavoy produced a superb free kick which left the keeper stranded as the ball curled over the defence wall and nestled in the back of the net.
Lytham continued to battle but Boro always had an answer and even when the home side created a rare chance from a corner Shackleton produced a save of the season contender from point blank range to maintain a clean sheet.
Boro added to their hosts' misery as Patrick unleashed a shot from the right which rebounded back to him and he smashed the ball across the keeper to score the fourth.
The visitors continued to probe to the end and could have scored more with Whitham proving a handful in the closing minutes.
At the final whistle Lytham were soundly beaten by a confident, quality performance by Boro's second string.
The goals from Lively and Peavoy would have graced the highest level and would have had the pundits drooling – as it is they get joint recognition for man of the match from the manager.
Boro host Wyre Villa reserves at Bellholme this weekend hoping to continue their run of five matches unbeaten and reverse the season opening 3-2 defeat, kick off 3pm weather permitting.
Bottom club make it a bad day for Vets
Todmorden Boro Veterans1
Sudden Carling 2nd2
A POOR display saw the Veterans lose to bottom of the table Carling.
Andy Whitham had a couple of good opportunities before he opened the scoring with a trademark finish.
However, it was Carling – whose form has improved in recent weeks after the signing of some new players – who equalised before the interval.
They went on to take maximum points– albeit in very controversial circumstances.
Veterans stopped believing that the ball had gone out of play but the referee waved play on and Carling took full advantage.
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Weather for Halifax
Saturday 11 February 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: -1 C to 0 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: South west
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 2 C to 5 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: North west
