Freshfield 2nd XI 6-0 Wine Lodge
9th March 2003

Tony Lynch writes:

With some poor recent performances and some blustery weather conditions Freshfield Reserves had to do well against the leagues strugglers Wine Lodge. New manager Nik Balshaw was determined to make things better after recent weeks and opted for a number of controversial changes to the starting eleven. Mike Kemp, Steven Hughes, Bryan McGlynn, John Armstrong and Tony Lynch were immediately installed into the line up to generate some hope.

The first half saw many attacks on the Wine Lodge goal, particularly as the goalkeeper's kicks were blown straight back into the 18-yard box by the wind. Mike Kemp angled in a precise cross which Tony Lynch headed home both unchallenged and with ease. Bryan McGlynn's presence on the right wing created 101 problems for the Wine Lodge left back and supplied many other chances for Freshfield. The partnership of Armstrong and Hughes in midfield proved vital and moments later another through ball from Armstrong provided Lynch with another scoring opportunity which he converted with ease chipping a neat shot over the keeper to make it 2-0.

Nik Balshaw was impressed with his team's first half performances but demanded more goals. A change in tactics and formation helped that when Tony Lynch completed his hat-trick after a long clearance from man of the match and previous manager Graeme Rooney. His strong run and clinical finish into the bottom left hand corner brought a rare smile to Nik Balshaw's face. The strong wind proved to be unchallenging in the second half with Freshfield playing some better football against the weather conditions.

After another good run and finish from McGlynn and substitute John Eccles Freshfield completed a 6-0 victory and again face Wine Lodge again next week. Balshaw can only take positive things from this match and hope that a repeat victory can be achieved.

Graeme Rooney writes:

This game was played with an air of anticipation by the Freshfield side following Wine Lodge's manager's refusal to play the fixture on the previous date on a pitch he deemed unplayable due to frost. Several changes had been made and it was with a sigh of relief that any of the regular second XI players took their positions at the start of a game heavily influenced by gale force wind; confidence has been low and was in need of the boost it was about to get

New manager Nik Balshaw made the most crucial decision of the day in instructing Captain Steve Dwyer to kick with the wind for the first half and it was soon easy to see why. Wine Lodge could not get out of their own half and it was not long before Mike Kemp arrowed a cross for Tony Lynch to head back across the keeper and into the net. Freshfield have taken the advantage several times in recent weeks before losing, however this was a different story. New signing Keith O'Brien rolled back the years to demonstrate to players at any level how to hold the ball up and bring others into play, Brian McGlynn scored a wonderful individual goal beating three players on the edge of the Wine Lodge penalty area before advancing and deftly confusing the keeper. Lynch scored again to make it three at half time, though Freshfield knew it would not be easy in the second half, the wind was playing such an important part.

With fresh instructions ringing in the ears of the Freshfield team they readied themselves for a titanic battle in the second half....it never came as O'Brien and Armstrong remained calm in centre midfield and the whole team combined to pass the ball on the ground and negate the gale. Lynch grabbed his hat trick after a 'through ball' from Rooney had been disguised as a clearance before making way for John Eccles who himself grabbed a goal.

McGlynn rounded off the scoring with a well taken angled shot and the introduction of Knight and Kkonnous left the final line-up with a familiar look. The real test now is for the 2nd XI to build on this performance starting next Sunday away to .... Wine Lodge.