Billinge Juniors 2 V Springview 2
This game had everything except lots of chances for either team. Springview edged the first half and Billinge improved in the second but with Springview boasting new signings as they push for the title now, with Billinge without the influential Bradshaw for the first half, the game today was an interesting portent of how this League may well go. Billinge stayed top of the League today without playing well, or more to the point being allowed to play well by an excellent Springview. Ironically Rooke could have stole the points at the end as he hit a volley as the ball fell behind him into his own arm as it flew goal-bound with the keeper helpless.
Springview had the better of the early exchanges with two shots from distance, which Ryan gathered easily, and they dominated the central midfield for much of the first half with their more physical players out muscling Sinnott and occasionally the excellent Owen too. The first goal came from a speculative effort from the edge of the area which Ryan had covered which hit a divot and cannoned off his chest and fell kindly for a Springview forward who had followed it in.
The lads had a stern talking to at half time and they upped their game with the wind now behind them in the second half and drew level as Frederick won a corner and converted it with a fine header at the near post from a Sinnott corner.
Spring view stormed back and after Bibby and Bradshaw closed down their number 9 the ball cannoned off Bibby to fall kindly for him and he made no mistake.
At 2-1 with Springview looking dangerous the boys did not give up and it was looking better now as Rooke and Fredericks pace together started to put pressure on their back four.
Billinges equaliser came courtesy of Bradshaw, who only arrived from the airport at half time, as he stabbed the ball home after Frederick had won it in the box after yet another corner.
In truth many players from each team simply cancelled each other out today and the game had very little free flowing football and the surface certainly did not help.
The game extends our unbeaten run to 11 games now and with nine wins and two draws the boys will have to up their game in the next two games if they are to remain in top spot.
Goals Frederick (1) 42, Bradshaw (1) 58
Man Of The Match - Bibby