BILLINGE FC

This was a game where the windy conditions and heavy pitch precluded attractive flowing football but Billinge did their best, especially in the second half, to run up a handsome goal tally without ever really clicking in this game where the opposition only managed a shot on goal from a corner which Hamilton dealt with comfortably with his fourth touch of the ball in the whole game.

The first goal came in the 7th Minute, after a Frederick cross in to Rooke who rose majestically to nod the ball home, after Billinge had won a series of corners and with Ayre also going close previously. Another three corners then ensued with man of the Match Bradshaw taking over the Captains armband from Frederick in the second half, rifling home after a fumble by the opposition keeper. Four minutes later Bradshaw was again the recipient of good fortune as his speculative shot from 20 yards was again fumbled by the keeper into his goal. There then followed a series of chances with the Hindley keeper keen to make amends as he stopped a Rooke half volley with his knees which cannoned to safety, a Frederick shot which he dived to his left to tip round the post and an Anderson shot late on in the first half.

Half Time 3-0

Owen came on for Rooke , Bibby for Fletcher and Leyland coming on up front at half time as the pace of the game quickened as the wind dropped playing downhill as Billinge ran in seven more goals, with the last chalked off for Anderson as he finished from a rebounded shot off the post when starting his run in from an onside position to finish wide of the keeper.

The referee had a fine game other than that so there can be no complaints.  Goal four came on 37 minutes with Leyland converting a Bradder’s cross after the Hindley Centre back went off injured after a late challenge by Frederick. Six minutes later Frederick finished gleefully left of the keeper, after a strong run outpacing two defenders after having a couple of shots from distance well saved by the keeper as did Bradders.Matty O then played a great through ball to Leyland two minutes later and Leyland got his second again to the keepers left.

After 55 minutes it was 7-0 as Sinnott burst from midfield beating four defenders and played Frederick in for his second and he lashed the ball into the roof of the net. Five minutes later it was Anderson’s turn to get on the score sheet as he followed in a Leyland shot from a great Bradshaw pass to make it 8-0 and four minutes later Leyland completed the rout and his hat trick running through, cutting in and unleashing a well placed shot to the keepers left. 

Altogether Billinge amassed 15 shots on target in this game with 6 corners and in better conditions with more patience in the last third could have gone on to a greater score but we have to be happy with the result, after all it was a cup game and all that matters is progression to the next round. Saxon at the heart of the defence, when tested was superb today, with Ayre also having a typically good game with a tenacious performance.

All the boys were bursting to get back on in the second half to share in the performance and that was pleasing to see.  Bradshaw drove the midfield forward with a typically gutsy and tenacious performance.

Man Of The Match – Bradshaw