Oldham Hulmenians 5-5 Hesketh Casuals B

To go away from home against a team above them in the league, concede five and still emerge unbeaten takes some doing, but Hesketh Casuals B achieved the feat in an entertaining encounter with Oldham. With a bare but strong 11 men, Cassies performed heroically in difficult conditions and could have easily won.

With the returning Matt Valentine playing in goal, regular goalkeeper Paul Hames played left back for the first time since his junior days, and it was not long before he collected a yellow card for a mistimed tackle.

The opening 10 minutes were disastrous for the visitors when they slipped 2-0 down after their strikers were allowed too much room and the defence was outnumbered. Oldham continued to pressure Cassies and wasted numerous chances, with Valentine standing in their way. Cassies reclaimed a foot in the game when Dave Walker demonstrated sheer determination to bustle his way through and drill a low right footed shot into the bottom corner.

The visitors restored parity when nice work from Steve Aspin and Andy Walker resulted in the ball falling into Justin Parrs path and the winger slammed a 25 yard effort into the top corner. Game on. Just minutes before half time, however, Oldham re-took the lead when their midfielder advanced towards the box unchallenged and unleashed an unstoppable shot into the corner.

The second half was equally entertaining as an inspired switch saw Paul Hames swap with Neil MacGregor to play the last 45 up front. Barry Fellowes saw his superb effort tipped onto the crossbar before Oldham extended their advantage from close range.

Cassies reduced the deficit to 4-3 when the excellent Dave Walker never gave up and fed Paul Hames who hit a first time left footed shot passed the helpless keeper. Oldham made for enthralling finish when they made it 5-3, and Cassies had numerous chances to pull it back with the busy Andy Walker whipping in some excellent crosses into the danger area.

Paul Hames made it 5-4 with his second of the game when Aspin slipped him in and the striker sent a right footed shot into the roof of the net. With only 5 minutes remaining Cassies were determined not to go home empty handed as Aspin dinked in a free kick into the danger area and Neil MacGregor harried the ball down and slid into the corner.

Fellowes and Dave Walker also came close to winning the game but the visitors were content with the point. Man of the match: Dave Walker.