Hesketh Casuals B 3-2 Broughton Ams A

Cassies B recorded their first win of the season win a hard fought victory at home to a strong Broughton Amateurs on another scorching Saturday. After losing Carl Forshaw and Dave Walker to the 2nd team, this was always going to be a tough encounter against a side Cassies have struggled against in the past.

The opening stages were tense and Andy Walker was making inroads into the Broughton defence. The first chance fell to Paul Hames when he evaded the Broughton defence and unleashed a left footed shot from 25 yards only to see his effort tipped over by the keeper. Michael Lloyd was battling hard in the midfield and Barry Fellowes produced a display worthy of high praise.

Justin Parr was linking well with the midfield and it was he who sent the tireless Dave Tomlinson down the left flank and as he approached the bye-line he pulled the ball across the area where Fellowes placed a superb right footed shot in off the bar to give Cassies the lead. Valentine was keeping out Broughton’s efforts at the other end as Hames and MacGregor also restricted Broughton to a couple of half chances.

Casuals style of play was beautiful to watch and the flow of passing was bamboozling Broughton and it was not long before the home side doubled their lead. Justin Parr dribbled round the full back and cut back an accurate cross into the danger area where Paul Hames connected with a left footed goal-bound shot. As the ball was half-saved by the keeper there appeared to be a deflection or two before the ball ended up nestled in the net. Luckily all three of the Dubious Goals Committee were present, as John Hames, Stuart Walker and Alistair MacGregor confirmed that the goal should be accredited to Hames. As if there was any doubt!

There was nothing dubious about the joga bonita style football from the home side and Casuals went into a half time with a three goal lead after Neil MacGregor’s header from a corner was hurriedly cleared by the defender only as far as Ian Langton’s back. The full back showed great finesse and flair to use his back to divert the ball into the roof of the net.

During the second half it was clear Cassies were tiring a little and Broughtons tails were up after a succession of chances. They clawed their way back into the game after a controversial penalty was awarded and duly dispatched. With 10 minutes to go Cassies entered squeaky bum time after the Broughton striker volleyed home from the corner.

Casuals held on to the one goal lead and secure the three points which will surely commence their ascent up the highly competitive Lancashire Amateur League Sixth Division.