Wyke Cop Albion Reserves 3-1 Freshfield 2nd XI
26th January 2003

The second team travelled to the worst venue in the league and the inevitable scrappy game ensured another disappointing result for the Freshfield second string. The facilities on offer had not improved since last season and the pitch was if anything in worse condition, although fortunately the cattle, which had clearly been using the field during the week, had been removed in time for kick-off. Despite this Freshfield started brightly, with Neil Makinson forcing a save after good link up play with John Kkounnous. They then took the lead, slightly fortuitously, when a Nick Balshaw corner was bundled into the net by a combination of John Kkounnous and the Wyke Cop defender.

The lead didn't last long though after the dangerous Wyke Cop left-winger scored with an impressive solo effort. Wyke Cop took the game to Freshfield in the second half and took the lead midway through the second half. Freshfield pushed forward, though they struggled to retain possession and created few chances of note, never looking particularly threatening, apart from a few scrambles in the penalty area. It's a measure of the game that the Freshfield man of the match would have to be Steven Dwyer in goal.

Freshfield were then hit with the classic sucker punch as they pressed forward in search of an equaliser.   The 3-1 score line flattered the home side a little and Freshfield will be looking forward to the return match, when the chance to play a little more measured football should make the difference.

Team: S. Dwyer, A. Campbell (S. Rooney), C. Knight, G. Rooney, C. Balshaw, D. Hodges, N. Balshaw, B. Brown, S. Bradshaw, N. Makinson, J. Kkounnous (M. Hurst)  

Sub not used: L. Appelby