Highfield 1- Billinge Juniors 8
The day dawned wet, breezy and cloudy but the play was bright, fluid and brought a ray of sunshine to the supporting parents. With the loss of Bradshaw and Barron who played in the previous ten League games and also Sinnott playing but suffering from Flu , the Billinge Midfield was re shuffled with Rooke coming in at Left Midfield and Owen in the Centre and Bradbury on the right. This also allowed opportunities for Anderson and Fletcher.
Billinge went ahead on 5 minutes after a Bradbury corner was converted by Owen after Rooke took two defenders away. Two minutes later it was 2-0 after Fredders burst through three challenges to slam the ball into the roof of the net after good build up play from Sinnott who jinked inside and released him on the edge of the box. Three minutes later Bradbury who was playing superbly beat his man wide on the right and unleashed a shot across the keeper which he could only parry to the feet of Frederick to get his brace and Billinge’s third.Rooke made it 4-0 at half time with a cushioned volley into the roof of the net after great work by Bradbury down the right after Frederick set the ball.
The second half started brightly for Highfield after a stern talking two and Attwood playing up front today had two shots from distance easily dealt with by Hamilton. It was a surprise though when Attwood burts down the right and hit a hopeful ball into the box which the wind took into the roof of Billinge’s net. This didn’t really phase Billinge as they kept on playing neat and tidy football with Frederick bursting down Highfield’s right and riding a challenge before side footing from 18 yards into the roof of the net to complete his Hat Trick.
A couple more shots followed from distance from Frederick but it was Bradbury who deservedly got the 6th after skilful work down the right he cut in and beat the keeper on his near post into the roof of the net amid enthusiastic celebrations. Rooke then came back on for Leyland who had worked tirelessly on the poor surface and playing up front with Anderson the game started to flow as Rooke involved in much of what was good, set up Frederick for his fourth as he finished from the edge of the area after great tenacious work from Anderson.It was fitting that Rooke should get the last as he stretched to an excellent Bradbury cross after Frederick stepped over the ball to make the 8-1 score line complete.
With other teams not playing today and after the Westhoughton game was called off again the previous week it was important the boys all played today and in that we achieved what we wanted. With goal difference possibly important at the end of the season this result sent the boys top of the league and took the unbeaten run to 10 dames with nine won. With 16 shots on target against 5 from Highfield , the latter all from distance and no less than 7 corners it was an outstanding display of football on a poor surface on a windy day.
MOM – Saxon – Clever and Tenacious when tested at the heart of the defence
Goals Owen (1) 5, Frederick (4) 7, 9, 41, 65 Rooke (2) 31,67, Bradbury (1) 57
Player of the Month For December – J Bibby