Freshfield 2nd XI 0-2 Formby Dons Reserves
19th January 2003

Freshfield can be proud of their performance in this evenly fought local derby. With a bumper crowd of 50 at Alt Road the Reserves took on their local rivals in a 1st round cup-tie. Graeme Rooney picked the same team which would have started the previous week but for a late postponement. The game started brightly with both teams having plenty of possession. Chances were made and squandered by both sides, the major culprit being Eccles who failed to hit the target from 6 yards in a one on one situation. As the half wore on Freshfield grew in confidence and were unlucky to go in at half time with the scores at 0-0.

The game continued to flow from end to end and it was inevitable that the deadlock would be broken at some point. This point came on the hour mark when a defensive mix-up gifted Formby Dons an easy goal. This was cruel on Freshfield who had just had their best spell of the game. This goal was quickly followed by another Dons goal 5 minutes later. Again poor defending was at fault, and at this level you can't afford to give easy goals away. Despite these two setbacks, Freshfield created two or three good chances, the best falling to substitute Lynch who weakly shot into the goalkeeper's arms. The game finished at 2-0 and Freshfield can only have themselves to blame in a game that they could and should have won.

Freshfield Reserves showed that they are capable of matching teams from the second division, and it is up to the management to rally the troops in a push for promotion to this division. Despite their current mid-table position they are still capable of finishing in the top three. There were good performances from many of the Freshfield line-up, in particular Darren Jawook who worked tirelessly down the right hand side and Neil Makinson who showed touches of class in his new Teddy Sheringham role.