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On the last Saturday of the season only one issue
was outstanding, could Storeys avoid defeat in its last game of the
season against Ingleton. Storeys went into the game knowing anything but
a defeat would give them the Premier Division Championship, a defeat
would give the title to Marsh United. Storeys started better than
Ingleton and went in front after just 10 minutes when Gareth Turner was
brought down in the penalty area. Andy Sanderson stepped up to beat
Kellett with ease to record his 24th
consecutive spot kick success.
Within 10 minutes Storeys went into a 2-0
lead and a deserved 2-0 lead when Andy Sanderson crept into the 6 yard
box to turn the ball into the net, beating Kellett to the ball. Storeys
kept going forward looking to kill the game off and missed two good
chances to do so. Ingleton are renowned fighters who never give up no
matter how the game is going. After a slow start they started to get
into the game and reduced the arrears to 2-1 when Jack Bland got the
final touch in a goalmouth scramble following a corner which Nuno
Rosario Storeys keeper tried in vain to knock over the bar, after the
ball hit the bar and dropped down it was Jack Bland who turned it into
the net. This boosted the Ingleton side who raised its game and started
to cause problems in Storeys defence, but the excellent pairing of Chris
Parkes and Tony Hoyle ably assisted by captain Andy Sanderson held out
only for another 10 minutes before the impressive Chris Bibby drew the
sides level. Ingleton was the better team now and went looking for more
goals but Storeys held out to half time. After a good half time team
talk Storeys again started much better than Ingleton but Ingleton held
firm and threaten to derail Storeys hopes whenever they moved forward
with the versatile Bibby being a handful for Storeys defence.
Storeys made the vital breakthrough
following a wonderful 40 yard diagonal pass from Andy Sanderson who
found Tom Gammon who in turn beat the full back before crossing the ball
to Steven Stirzaker who made amends for two earlier misses by slotting
the ball under the diving Kellett to lead 3-2 but with still 20 minutes
to play.
Play went from end to end with both sides
looking dangerous. Storeys made the game safe when Steven Stirzaker
scored from close in making it 4-2. The final whistle sounded much to
the delight of the Storeys players, after a long hard season they have
the title in the bag. The game was excellently controlled by the
experienced Peter McDonnell.
In Division One
Champions Morecambe Hoops ended its season in a 15 goal thriller against
Storeys Reserves. Morecambe Hoops led 5-0 at half time. Storeys Reserves
who lost its unbeaten record midweek when they lost 2-0 against Division
One runners up Halton Rangers fought back to put the Hoops defence under
a lot of pressure and managed to score six second half goals. The game
turned out to be a game of all out attack with both sides scoring almost
at will with Morecambe Hoops finally winning by 9-6 with goal keeper
John Boothroyd, Kevin Burns, Andy Charnley, Des Martinez (2), captain
Robert Goldsborough, Dave Riley (2) and substitute James Stewart
bringing the hoops its 100th
league goal of the season. Storeys Reserves replies being scored by
young Joe Flynn, David Leslie (3) and veteran Paul Fraser with a double
strike.
Ingleton Reserves and Vine served up a good game
of attacking football as a follow up to the main game played before
hand. Vine took its chances better than the Ingleton Reserves side and
went into a 2-0 lead with a Robert Crump and then Sean Gordon. Ingleton
Reserves pulled one goal back when Jonathon Boadle scored before Vine
went into a 3-1 lead when Gareth In the
replayed Marsh United Reserves and Millhead game, a game which had to be
replayed as Marsh United Reserves played an ineligible player in the
original game. This game ended the same way as the original game only
that Marsh United Reserves win was more emphatic as it won by 4-0 with
goals by Scott Sparks, Jordan Sparks and two goals, his first of the
season by James Cunniski. The original game ended 2-1. |