Park let it slip

Sep 24 2008 by John Buckley, Mid Cheshire Chronicle

South Cheshire 3 Winnington Park 3

PARK lost a three-goal lead, conceding a last-gasp equaliser at Sandbach on Saturday.

They led 2-0 at the break with goals from Alastair Buckle and Mark Leigh putting them in control.

Good work in midfield presented the unmarked Buckle with a comfortable finish and Leigh doubled the lead from a penalty corner, flicking the ball into the roof of the net with the keeper well beaten.

Park could have been further in front but a combination of wasteful finishing and good goalkeeping kept the score down.

Andrew Birdsey went close, bursting through and lobbing the ball over the advancing keeper only to see the ball drop wide of the post.

Robin Bowden extended the visitors’ lead from close range, a very well worked short corner finding him at the far post and he made no mistake from close range.

Park continued to threaten but a lack of composure all over the pitch let the hosts back into it, South Cheshire converting a much higher percentage of their chances created to draw level with the last hit of the game.

Other scores: Wilmslow 1st 6 Winnington 2nds 1 (Kieran Berrington); Runcorn 2nds 5 Park 3rds 6 (Mottershaw 4, Sam Cloake, George Cloake); Deeside Ramblers 7ths 1 Park 4ths 3.

Winnington Park Ladies 2 Oswestry Ladies 2: Winnington’s league campaign started badly.

They went behind after only 10 minutes, but gained control when Karen Morgan levelled and they began to create chances.

They also squandered them and needed good saves from goalkeeper Helen Egerton to keep them in the game.

After the break Park still had trouble converting their chances against an in-form Oswestry goalkeeper.

Midway through the half, however, a long ball from Sonia Cross found the stick of the lethal Morgan who promptly slotted the ball home.

Park’s defence was then kept busy by the repeated Oswestry.

Cathy Hewitson made an important goalline clearance and they held out until two minutes before the final whistle.

Other score: Park 2nds 3 Deeside 3rds 4.

Saturday: 1sts away v Bowdon 3rds; 2nds home v Timperley 3rds.