Springview 0 v U13's 2
This was a gem of a game, despite the surface, which due to weather conditions the day before, was not conducive to our usual passing game and so we had to mix up the play today to gain the well deserved three points outgunning Springview in all departments through the whole game apart from a brief ten minute early second half spell when Springview managed three shots from distance which were comfortably dealt with by Hamilton parrying the ball down to gather.
Billinge put an early marker down with Sinnott and Fredders exchanging passes on the edge of the Springview box with a stinging drive on target which the Springview keeper, who had a solid game, under pressure today, held well. Another drive from distance followed from Sinnott as he turned his marker, which the keeper did well to save. The ball was immediately played through midfield by Spring view and Crawford, who was towering today at Centre Back, blocked superbly with the Spring view forward nearly clean through.
There then followed a brief period of early through balls as Leyland tried vainly to stay onside. After 10 minutes a superb Leyland ball into the box resulted in a goalmouth scramble which Springview did well to clear. Four minutes later Springview managed a long-range effort on target, as the ball broke loose after a Bradshaw challenge, one of many successful ones he made all game, which Hamilton dealt with comfortably. There was a growing feeling now amongst the boys now that the Pretenders were going to take the crown today at least, as after 25 minutes a Bradshaw shot from distance forced yet another corner as the keeper saved well to his right.
The goal Billinge richly deserved arrived on 32 minutes as Fredders competed for the ball on the edge of the box and knocked the ball through to Leyland, with both centre backs having gone for the same ball Leyland was clear 12 yards out, as he made no mistake.
Half Time 1- 0
The second half started brightly for Springview, as within a minute of the restart Hamilton had to come from the edge of his box to tackle the opposition forward to put the ball into touch from his block tackle for a corner. Springview came at Billinge again with a great shot from the edge of the box saved well by Hamilton after 44 minutes, another followed from distance from Springview a minute later. Within a minute Rooke on at half time at left midfield as Billinge went to 4-5-1 had a great lob well saved by the opposition keeper.
Great work by Barron down the right then produced a Bradders corner, which was so good it deserved a goal in itself with the Springview keeper out of position on his front post and Ayre was there to gleefully volley home from a yard out after 60 minutes. The game was won at 2-0 with neither team offering anything as the pitch deteriorated apart from a Fredders shot wide after 72 minutes.
Overall a game in which Billinge , away from home, had 60% of possession with seven shots on target, which were all at close range, against three from distance from the home team with four corners to Springview’s five produced a worthy winner. This was a day when the defence played superbly well never allowing Springview a clear shot on goal in the last third with Barron, Ayre and man of the match Bibby all having excellent games.
Man of The Match – Bibby – Frustrated their right winger and never allowed any crosses into our box