A cold, dank overcast afternoon greeted both teams as we welcomed our visitors Hough End Griffins to Ladybridge Lane. Sam and Josh were both away on holiday with their respective families. James Y started on the bench. After our last match at home it was important that we started well and we did, with Ollie just shooting over the bar in the opening minutes. Ladybridge looked lively and competitive early doors against a physically imposing opposition. HEG forced the first corner of the game on 5mins but this was cleared well by the Ladybridge defence. Caleb doesn't get into advanced positions often but the ball came out to him and he drove a ball just over from 35 yards out. Ladybridge were passing and moving nicely throughout the half and Ben started a dangerous move when he found James who in turn released Ollie whose shot just went narrowly wide. The HEG No 9 was catching the eye up front and he was found well by his midfield and Conor just managed to parry out his strong drive in HEG's best move of the half on 15mins. The first goal of the game was started on the right flank when Dion smartly picked out James moving forward into the HEG box and he managed to tuck the ball past the keeper to make it Ladybridge 1-0.
The lead was not ours for long though as two minutes later the dangerous No 9 was found free in the centre 40 yards out and he made a strong run through with just Conor to beat and he passed the ball past him into the L/H corner of the net to make it 1-1.
The last offensive action of the half came from Ladybridge when James went on a mazy run forward and beat 3 or 4 men only to see the HEG keeper pull off a superb save from his shot to deny him his 2nd goal of the half.
Half Time 1-1.
James Y came on for Ollie at H.T. Ladybridge continued to press forward from the start of the 2nd half and a slick move between Tom and Cole saw Cole eventually just shoot wide. The HEG No 9 was allowed too much space and he got in front of the Ladybridge back four but he miscued his shot just over the bar after 5mins. The first goal of this half would be very important and Ladybridge snatched it after some great work from James Y down the right and his dangerous cross into the box was flicked on by Taylor into Cole who made no mistake from 5 yards out. Ladybridge 2-1.
Tom was battling well in the centre of midfield and he found Taylor free in the centre and he advanced forward and passed the ball out to Cole on the left and he hit an exquisite drive past the keeper to make it 3-1 to Ladybridge.
The HEG No 9 was denied another goal when Conor pulled off a smashing save from his well hit shot midway through the half. Ladybridge's crucial and final goal came about ten minutes before the end of the game when Ollie slid an inch perfect pass out to Cole on the left and he unleashed a low and powerful shot past the keeper to complete his hatrick 4-1 Ladybridge.
HEG never gave up and they earned a penalty late on when Conor tripped a HEG forward and their No 9 duly stepped up and made no mistake to make it 4-2. Conor was to make up for his first error brilliantly when he managed to parry and push out a HEG free kick on the right from 20 yards which otherwise would have ended up in the net. Ladybridge withstood the HEG pressure well and they had their keeper to thank in the last minute when he dealt well with a cross/shot from James Y.
Full time Ladybridge 4-2 Hough End Griffins.
HEG currently sit 2nd in the league and they showed us today why they occupy this lofty league position. Physically challenging they have a very powerful offensive line that is led well by the No 9 who could and maybe should have had more goals this afternoon.
Today Ladybridge got a little bit of their mojo back after a crushing defeat in our last league outing. Each and everyone of the players available put in a real shift in. They battled for every ball and were far more clinical in taking their chances during this game and they thoroughly deserved the win. Our League and Cup run in is daunting with the lads being asked to play pretty much every Tues, Thurs and Sunday right up to the end of the season. If they manage to stick together and show the same grit and determination that they did today I'm sure they'll do themselves justice in both League and Cup by the end of the season.
Gordon
