Ugly win on the road

Timperley made up trip up north on Saturday to take on Lytham. As they packed up players were checking more to make sure had thermals and hot water bottles over gum shields and shin pads due to the adverse weather conditions provided by Storm Arwen.

With a slightly tweaked side seeing Hurlestone and Wilson coming in as Jones (COVID), Saunders (Booze) and McCarthy (Football) were missing the squad were still confident following recent performances.

As the team arrived they were lulled into a false sense of security with the sun shining only for some of the younger, lighter players to almost be flattened by the winds coming in from the see.

As Timperley huddled prior to pushback Small reminded everyone it would be easier with the ball and to not get bored.
Unfortunately, as the game started it appeared that the wind must have lifted and people heard a different message as the team in white did not play like they had done in the previous 7 games as they continually coughed up possession, were unable to string passed together and generally tried to force the game when they really didn’t need to. Fortunately, Lytham lacked any attacking threat and the defensive unit of Wilson, Small, Price, Burgess and Lord were able to extinguish any sniff of an attack.

In previous weeks the midfield of Bangee, Hughes, Walsham and McBride have always appeared to find space at will but Lytham were doing a good job of blocking the channels which in turn starved Bolton, Hardern and Higgin of any real quality service, chances limited to some reverse stick shots from tight angles.

It took until the 28th minute for the deadlock to be broken and it took some individual brilliance from Burgess for that to happen. After another foray into the D Lytham cleared their lines but only as far as Burgess who then danced his way into the D before flicking home, high to the ‘keepers right. There was a collective sigh of relief as the umpired signalled the goal.

As with all games this year 1 seems to bring 2 soon after and this was no different as Timperley won a short corner, the routine broke but Hardern was able to find Walsham whose goal bound effort was expertly poached by the wily old fox Bolton.
That was the end of the first half as a very frustrated Timperley made their way off the pitch. Whilst it wasn’t required Sutty and Ross were very clear on the expectations of what they wanted.

Timperley were looking for a much improved performance but in truth they continued in a very similar vein as the first half. However, they were able to convert chances as Bolton doubled his tally after finishing off a nice team move.

5 minutes later Hardern got in on the act with a short corner that was just too powerful for the ‘keeper as it burst through his pads.
Some of the improvement and increase in the chances created came from the introduction of Higgin on the right wing where he had their left back on toast. The left backs solution… to attempt to body check the 14-year-old, worryingly for the defender Higgin snr has shared some of the dark arts and this had no impact as he continued to take the ball from him and then beat him with ease.

With 15 minutes to go Walsham got in on the act as Bolton found him at the back post where he coolly converted with ease. Bolton then completed his second hat trick in 3 weeks as he committee everything to the cause as he slid in to pop the ball under the ‘keeper. Lytham protested that Bolton had kicked it home to no avail (Bolton did later admit after a few Brew dogs that he definitely felt something on his thigh but couldn’t be sure what it was)

6-0 win, with all digits still intact following the biting winds, the day summed up with the least powerful showers on offer!
Big thanks the parents who stayed on the side line to support when they would have been quite within their rights to go and sit in their cars based on the performance.

A big week ahead as Timperley welcome West Derby to Stockport Road knowing that a similar performance will not cut it against a team flying high with a reputation for not taking prisoners.

MOM – Ed Lord
DOD – Ross Small