23/02/2019

Whaley's long unbeaten run comes to an end!

Whaley travelled to Pilkington trying to preserve their long unbeaten run starting well and adapting to the 4G pitch. Although retaining possession and being first to the ball Whaley struggled to make much of an impact in the last third until the 25^th minute when a 30 yard through ball over the top of Pilks centre backs set Leadbetter clear to calmly slot the ball past the advancing keeper. This gave the visitors a visible lift and for the next 10 minutes they had their best period of the match culminating in Laedbetter just failing to take advantage of a great Gilbride cross when his header from 6 yards went wide. For the remainder of the half Pilks started to impose their strong physical influence on the game but Tattersall kept them at bay with two great saves before the break.

Second half started scrappy with neither side giving much away but on 55 minutes Drayson lost his footing on the edge of the area giving Boylan the opportunity to rifle a terrific shot giving Tatts no chance, 1-1. This obviously lifted the home side to produce their best period of the match. Pinning Whaley back with deep crosses reigning in from both flanks the winner eventually arrived on 65 minutes after a perfectly weighted cross from the left was headed home by Sephton. This brought the visitors back to life with Broome working tirelessly in midfield to break up play and push Whaley forward. The best and last chance of the game fell to Laedbetter but his powerful shot on the turn hit the bar!

Pilikington celebrated the final whistle as this result keeps them in the title race with Altrincham. Whaley’s unbeaten run came to an end and they must feel slightly aggrieved not to have walked away with at least a point after a physical game played in good spirit.

Tattersall; Bailey; Toseland; Sutton; Dunn; Langford (1); Gilbride; Broome; Drayson; O’Donnell; Leadbetter

Gemmell(75); Gregory(85)

MOM The Broome