Pilkington v Nelson
Monday 27th December 2021
NWCFL Division 1 North
Kick off 3pm
Pilkington FC looked to end 2021 on a high as they faced Nelson FC in the last game of the calendar year. Another massive game meant that the Glassmen had to take all 3 points. The ball got rolling and an end-to-end start teased what would be a cracker of a game. An early chance for Pilks saw Deklan Hill come agonisingly close to tapping the ball in from Taylor Prescott’s cross. Both teams looked very energetic in this exciting tie, although they were creating chances – the ball couldn’t get past either keeper. Nelson scored the first goal of the game on 33 minutes as Kit Lloyd swiveled the defence and tucked the ball past Andy Heal brilliantly. Pilks suffered their first blow 1 minute after the goal as Wade Rutherford was forced off due to an ankle injury and he was replaced by Matthew Burn. A horrific injury shortly followed as Nathan Quirk replaced Adam Neill who had fractured his patella after a strong tackle. The last action of the first half saw Callum Laird sent off for a challenge on the Nelson keeper, Laird will now suffer another suspension.
At half time, Pilks manager David Tickle was left speechless! with just 1 substitute left in hand and 10 men left on the pitch, he told the lads they were going to war.
The opening minutes of the first half lived up to the battle cries of the gaffer, the lads looked refreshed and had hunger and desire to get the next goal. Which they did, some excellent build up play by Taylor Prescott gave Phil Marsh the space to turn and stick his effort into the back of the net just 4 minutes after the restart. Pilks looked back in control, until 60 minutes where it all went downhill. A back pass from Gary Kenny led to a mistake by Andy Heal and the ball trickled in for Nelson’s second. Pilks tried everything they could to equalise but nothing went their way – as they out of steam. The last 20 minutes saw Nelson dominate possession. They sealed the deal in the 77th minute as Brian Mabhena put the ball through Heal’s legs. Another injury for the greens saw Ellis Taylor replace a hobbling Jake Bickerstaffe. Mabhena then made it 4 after beating Cottington from a counter attack.
Pilks suffered many blows against Nelson, they look to regroup and go again in the new year.
Up The Pilks
Starting XI:
1.Andy Heal
2.Christopher Cottington
3 Adam Neill (15.Nathan Quirk “45”)
4.Marcus Giglio
5.Wade Rutherford (12.Mathew Burn “34”)
6.Gary Kenny (C)
7.Phil Marsh
8.Jake Bickerstaffe (13.Ellis Taylor “89”)
9.Callum Laird (red card “45”)