Billinge Juniors 4 V Hawkley 0 – Wigan League Knockout Cup
Billinge without top scorer Frederick and regular goalkeeper Hamilton today with a few boys playing the day before in the Craven Minor League and with only 12 available players showed just how strong the squad is by disposing of a hardworking Hawkley team today.
Mention should go to Owen and Anderson who played the previous day, Rooke who was involved in three of the four goals without ever looking as though he was in top gear, man of the match Bradshaw who simply ran the game having been given the Captains armband and Crawford who never missed a tackle, albeit not under a great deal of pressure. Also superb today was Bradbury whose goal and corners were excellent.
The first half was tight as each team sought to gain ascendancy and Billinge’s first shot came from Rooke under pressure as the Hawkley keeper saved well to his right.
Hawkley mustered a shot after 7 minutes from distance which was then fielded by Deano.Barron then went on a run down the right and delivered a great cross which just eluded the boot of the outstretched Rooke.
The first goal came after 33 minutes as Leyland who passed the ball to Rooke who helped the ball in straight to Bradbury who took a touch and volleyed the ball into the roof of the net.
The second half started as the first finished with Bradders shooting at the Hawley keeper from an acute angle. Three minutes later after good work down the right by Barron, Leyland set the ball for Bradshaw on the edge of the box to finish wide of the keeper to make it 2-0. Four minutes later a Sinnott free kick flew just over the bar. Four minutes later it was Sinnott again as he forced the Hawkley left back into an error and slipped the ball to Bradbury who fired over. After 55 minutes Rooke burst into the box and after his shot cannoned off a defender back to him he played it perfectly to Leyland who slotted home from 18 yards to the keepers right.
Fittingly it was Rooke who finished the scoring after 65 minutes as he rose at the far post to steer home a header at the far pot after a perfect Bradders corner.
A mention must go to Deano today who was almost beaten by a lob from the Hawkley forward but back-pedalled and scooped the ball off the line determined to keep a clean sheet.
At 4-0 the semi finals beckon and Horwich and with all our players back and at full strength it should prove an interesting game.
MOM – Bradshaw
Goals – Bradbury (1) 32, Bradshaw (1) 44, Leyland (1) 55, Rooke (1) 63