Tuesday 18th August 2015 West Lancashire League Premier Division

HESKETH BANK 0
THORNTON CLEVELEYS 1

Team: Stuart Singleton, Kevin Cox, Josh Roberts, Adam Thompson, James Green, Josh Brierley (David Hogg 73), Neil Hulme, Ian Dickinson (Josh Dunroe 79), Lewis Saunders (Richard Burns 45), John Stead, Daniel Birkby. Subs: (Not Used) Tony Sergeant, Jack Brierley, Jamie Johnson.

Following the fine 1-4 win at Eagley on Saturday, Hesketh suffered disappointment at home to Thornton Cleveleys in midweek when losing out in a hard fought game by 0-1 at Station Road. Kick off was delayed by 30 minutes as Thornton were stuck in traffic on rush hour and not making it in time for 6.15 kick off the game eventually kicked off at 6.45.

Hesketh Bank manager James Smith made four changes to his starting line-up from the game at Eagley on Saturday. Richard Burns returned to the squad and was named on the bench. Returning was also Adam Thompson who was unavailable on Saturday due to work commitments and replaced Tony Sergeant who was relegated to the bench. The return of Bob Milton also saw David Hogg omitted from the starting eleven and he was named alongside Sergeant, Dunroe, Johnson and Brierley on the bench.

Thornton kicked off on a fine sunlit August evening, a rarity this summer, facing the Bowling club end, but it was the hosts who took the early initiative with the Thornton stopper forced to some fine saves to keep the slate clean. Singleton was forced into a low save from Harry Rowe following a great solo run. Both teams had chances in the first 20 minutes to take the lead however, both keepers and defenders stayed strong and kept to their tasks. Thornton's strikers managed to trouble Thompson and Roberts following great build up plays but the Hesketh Bank centre-halves remained solid and dived into every tackle and won 9 out of 10 headers. Failure to put away chances was the main reason the half time score line was 0-0 and it would take something for the strikers to break down the defences to give their side the lead.

With Burns introduced at the half time break for Saunders in order to try and use pace and give Hesketh the lead the second half started with Thornton on the attack and Dickinson cleared a point blank chance less than a minute into the second half as Thornton started rapidly. Stead rattled the top of the bar 6 minutes into the second half after a poor clearance by the Thornton custodian. Dickinson earned himself a booking following a needless challenge and Thornton took the lead in the most controversial circumstances as their winger broke free to be flagged as offside by the linesman on the near side. Referee signalled play on with all the Hesketh Bank players stopping, the ball was then delivered to Harry Rowe who smashed in what proved to be the winner on 65 minutes. Burns, Stead and Birkby failed to make an impact upfront and test the Thornton keeper who had a quiet second half Smith decided to bring on David Hogg who replaced Josh Brierley with more than 15 minutes to go in order to get an equaliser. With time running out Dickinson was substituted off for Josh Dunroe but somewhat wasn't to be and Thornton held on for a deserved win as a win would have seen Hesketh Bank go top of Premier Division for the first ever time.

Hesketh Bank host table toppers Fulwood Amateurs Saturday 22nd August kick off 3.00pm.

Hesketh Bank AFC

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