Ship FC 1-0 Freshfield
22nd December 2002

Freshfield made three changes from the team, which narrowly defeated Scarisbrick a week earlier. Dave Brooks returned in centre midfield in place of John Armstrong, while Simon Richards returned to the first team on the right hand side of midfield after a self-inflicted absence. The other change came in goal with the return of Dave Seville. Ship started the game the better of the two teams but could not turn their greater possession and territorial advantage into a goal. With the Freshfield defence being well marshalled by Richie Kemp and Graeme Davies, Ship resorted to long-range shots and hopeful crosses. However Freshfield worked their way back into the game and midway through the first half were nearly rewarded when the comedy duo of Smith and Jones both shot narrowly wide. The evenly fought first half finished with a stalemate at 0-0.

Freshfield started the second half well and were unlucky not to take the lead with two or three opportunities. With Brooks and Richards driving on in the midfield it looked as though Freshfield might defeat a team from the top four for the first time this year. After an initial surge in the second half, Ship began to wrestle back control of the midfield from the inspirational Brooks. Only good defending from Freshfield's back four and the woodwork denied Ship the lead. With twenty minutes left on the clock, Brooks was forced to leave the pitch with an ankle injury. It was at this point that the game changed with Ship mounting one attack after another. It was no real surprise that this pressure paid off when the unfortunate Hayes gave away a penalty within the last ten minutes. The penalty was coolly despatched and the game was snatched from Freshfield's grasp. It was unfortunate that either team had to lose, as both teams deserved something from the game. Freshfield will rue their missed chances during both halves, but in truth it was Freshfield's inability to stop Ship's supply line during the last twenty minutes which ultimately cost them the game.

Team Dave Seville Graeme Davies Mike Kemp Richie Kemp Damian Nolan Paul Hayes Simon Richards Dave Brooks (Geoff Booker) Chris Jones Tony Lynch Tommy Smith

Manager's Man of the Match TBA Player's Man of the Match TBA Supporter's Man of the Match TBA Attendance 22