Westhoughton 2 v U13 0
Billinge Juniors unbeaten run was brought to a shuddering end today by a hardworking Westhoughton team. Lewis Axford playing the lone role up front for Westhoughton was simply exceptional and must surely be too good for this League??? In Lewis Westhoughton may have found their final piece in the jigsaw as they compete with the other Clubs, including Billinge, for the title.
I have no doubt that the second half performance would have produced a point given they did not have a shot on goal after the second goal was conceded. Mistakes cost us dearly in the first half as Westhoughton were gifted two goals.
A late rally by Billinge with shots from distance from Rooke and Sinnott and Barron outstanding today as was Saxon was simply not enough and Billinge were effectively out toughed in midfield by a team who whilst they played very little quality football constantly pushed, barracked and generally out toughed our midfield four today. The role of Lewis up front who held the ball up excellently allowed Westhoughton to play 4-5-1 with the right midfield doubling up on Bibby and our central pair of Bradshaw and Sinnott often outnumbered.Too many times our midfield four were guilty of pulling out of tackles and generally playing long hopeful balls to the forwards who were starved of sevice today. Rooke came on in the second half and Billinge started to hold the ball up better and the team play was excellent but Weshoughton, on this showing, will now be our major rivals for the title with the third game against them at home possibly being decisive.
Billinge were simply not allowed to play free flowing football on a very poor clingy surface today and too many players looked to take men on without using the ball as they became desperate. The late sending double sending off of Oldfeld and the Westhoughton number nine effected the game towards the end but two shots on target from Billinge in thirty five minutes and two corners tells the whole story. We were simply not good enough today and Weshoughton defended well enough to hold onto their fortunate but slender lead after two defensive errors.
The League now opens up again and a run of six wins will only be good enough now with Westhoughton ready to pounce on any poor performances.
MOM – Saxon
Player Of The Month - Saxon