After Fleetwood were outplayed by a good Bolton side in their last game, the aim against Sefton was to turn that around and show everyone what they can really do. They put in a great effort to turn this game around after spending the first half almost totally in their own 22 and turning round at half-time 11 points down. They used the conditions well in the second half and turned the game around thanks to some skill and determination. Sefton kept the ball in the Fleetwood half for the first quarter of an hour but they were not able to break through a strong defence. They thought they had finally done so, only for a try-saving tackle from man-of-the-match Mike Kelly to save the day from Fleetwood’s perspective. They celebrated by finally managing to get over the halfway line, making good ground and earning a penalty for a deliberate knock-on. Gavin Rowell successfully took the kick to establish a 3-0 lead, only for Fleetwood’s defence to finally be breached moments later. An … [Read more...] about MATCH REPORT: Fleetwood RUFC 25 Sefton 21
Match reports
Bristol City v AFC Bournemouth: Match report and reaction
Bristol City drew their final pre-season game of the season 1-1 with AFC Bournemouth. That blood red moon was nowhere to be seen on an overcast evening at Ashton Gate but there was plenty of shining forward play despite just the two scores as the Robins completed their warm-up for the new Championship campaign. After a nervy start where Bournemouth were afforded too much room and Brad Smith threatened down the home side's right, the visitors got their just reward. Josh King collected a ball in midfield on the counter and was left one on one with Nathan Baker after a three on three break. The Norwegian made the most to blast past Max O'Leary in goal from the edge of the area and open the scoring. Bristol City came back into the game towards the end of the half with Niclas Eliasson's crossing causing Eddie Howe's sides consistent problems. Baker headed a corner over and Andreas Weimann almost went through one on one with Asmir Begovic. But the equaliser came when Eliasson held the … [Read more...] about Bristol City v AFC Bournemouth: Match report and reaction
MATCH REPORT: Port Vale 0-1 Blackpool
Blackpool completed their friendly double header with a hard-fought 1-0 win against League Two side Port Vale. MATCH REPORT: Nantwich Town 1-2 BlackpoolNathan Delfouneso scored the only goal of the game just five minutes in to what was a tight, edgy affair at Vale Park.It came after a Seasiders side featuring a number of trialists had beaten Nantwich Town 2-1 earlier in the day.The Seasiders, just as they had done against Nantwich in the lunchtime kick off, took the lead with an early goal.With just five minutes on the clock, Delfouneso raced through on goal - ignoring the offside appeals from the home fans - to coolly slot home past Scott Brown.The linesman’s decision not to raise his flag enraged Port Vale boss Neil Aspin to such an extent he ran down from the director’s box - where he had been watching on from the stands - to launch a tirade of expletives at the referee’s assistant.When the game did restart, the Valiants almost found an instant response as Luke … [Read more...] about MATCH REPORT: Port Vale 0-1 Blackpool
MATCH REPORT: Fylde RFC 17 Esher 32
There were plenty of promising signs for the future as Fylde contemplate life in National Two (North) next season, though they are sure to finish bottom of National One after another disappointing defeat. READ MORE: So tough for Fylde to keep hold of players Fylde led for much of the first half but two Esher tries in the opening minutes of the second were crucial. Esher came into the game still under threat of being pulled in to the relegation dogfight and they started with intensity, pushing Fylde back. Winger Henry Hadfield was sent to the sinbin and after eight minutes Esher moved the ball through their backs for winger Joe Beckett to score wide on the right. Former Oxford University fly-half Basil Strang was unable to add the conversion. Fylde then took control and set up camp in the Esher half, and after a series of penalties, a driving maul following a lineout collapsed and referee Calum Sharp awarded a penalty try on 14 minutes, as well as showing lock Liam Edwards a yellow … [Read more...] about MATCH REPORT: Fylde RFC 17 Esher 32
MATCH REPORT: Chorley 1 Lancaster 0
It was far from a blockbuster but Chorley are now one game away from lifting their 18th LFA Challenge Trophy after beating Lancaster 1-0 writes Rosie Swarbrick. An 18th-minute Jason Walker effort was the difference at the County Ground in Leyland as he mopped up Elliot Wynne’s parry from a Delial Brewster cross.That piece of clinical finishing was to be the difference in an evenly contested game.It was a match that left Lancaster boss Phil Brown ruing what might have been had his side got that early goal.And it was not for the want of trying as Sam Bailey’s cross from the right was met by Craig Carney.His close-range header was batted away by Matt Urwin but only back to the Lancaster No.10 who wasted a golden opportunity by fluffing his lines.Despite that bright start by Lancaster with Ryan Winder causing problems Chorley showed their gulf in class and had big shout for a penalty waved away as Matty Hughes looked to have been felled in the box by Glenn Steel but referee … [Read more...] about MATCH REPORT: Chorley 1 Lancaster 0