Thornleigh 1-3 Hesketh Casuals ‘B’

Hesketh Casuals ‘B’ won their fifth successive game to go two points clear at the top of the league thanks to a superb away performance at Thornleigh. The day started with a little apprehension with the team waiting for joint-top scorer Andy Walker to turn up, only to discover he went to Switzerland and didn’t tell anyone. Furthermore, the two subs at Casuals’ disposal were happier on the sidelines with Chris Hames still crocked and Jon Grice’s breath smelling toxic. The lads from Southport were buoyed to see Dan Richards emerge with his new Britney-style haircut and they were anticipating a difficult encounter against a Thornleigh side who sometimes up their game when hosting Cassies.
The opening 20 minutes were extremely tight with Cassies retaining most of the possession, but found chances on the limited side. In fact, it was Thornleigh who created the first clear chance when their striker found himself in space and drove a right footed shot goalward from the edge of the area. Keeper Paul Hames fingertipped the ball onto the crossbar and cleared the subsequent danger with a little help from Ian Langton, who slid in at centre-back with ease. It was Casuals who came back stronger and they broke the deadlock after Steve Aspin emerged with the ball after a tough tackle. He slid in Derek Sykes who showed great composure to drive the ball home right footed into the bottom corner for his second of the season.

Casuals continued to battle all over the pitch with the ever-impressive Justin Parr dictating the play in midfield and the defence ensuring the Cassies goal was overprotected. Neil MacGregor, in particular, was immense in defence and managed to clear the danger everytime Thornleigh threatened. Cassies second goal came about from an outrageous lob from Steve Aspin, who was nursing a thigh injury all game. The Thornleigh keeper charged out to clear only to find Aspin some 30 yards out on the left wing. His right footed lob sailed over the keeper’s head to give Cassies a deserved two goal lead.

Just before half time the away side made sure of the three points when Sykes found himself clear on the left wing and he sent over a delicious cross which the keeper fumbled. The ball emerged at Dan Richards feet and the stand-in winger, who had been a constant threat all game, and he pivoted and flicked the ball home right footed to make the score 3-0. Just before half time Barry Fellowes scored a perfectly good goal, but it was ridiculously ruled out for offside after the referee responded to Thornleigh’s non-biased linesman’s erratic flag waving.

The second half was always going to be tough with Thornleigh attacking downhill with some route one football. In their way stood a mean defence and disciplined midfield to keep chances to a minimum. Meanwhile, the Casuals attack were still driving Thornleigh’s defence crazy as they conjured up numerous chances, including an effort from Fellowes, which rebounded off the post. The away side looked certain to keep a clean sheet but Thornleigh were lucky to grab a consolation when the referee awarded them a dubious penalty in the last minute after a superb last-ditch tackle from Dave Tomlinson. The decision looked harsh and was the third Casuals have conceded in three games and their striker slotted the ball home to make it 3-1. Cassies have now reached a significant crossroads in the season and realise that there is a chance for them to win this league, providing they continue to play with the same composure as today.

Man of the match: Neil MacGregor