Rainford 2 West Kirby 3 report.
On Saturday afternoon, Nathan Brooks’ West Kirby travelled to Rainford and returned with all three points after netting in the game’s latest stages.
It was a strong start to the game by the visitors as they applied pressure to a good hosting defence. However, they would come short of a clear cut opportunity before Rainford netted the opening goal of the game.
The goal was arguably against the run of play, the hosts worked the ball well across the midfield before their right back delivered a pinpoint cross to the back post, it was a well taken header across goal that left the net bulging.
An equaliser wouldn’t take too long to be found with a well worked passage of play down the channel involving Sam Haley, the ball found its way to the back post before Jazz Harris’ half volley left the keeper no chance with his effort flying into the bottom left of the net.
West Kirby continued their pursuit for a goal as they applied constant pressure on to their visitors backline, the pressure lead to a mistake by a Rainford centre back who missed the ball which allowed Josh Ross to break the resilient line.
Ross ran the ball from 30 yards into the 18 yard box and composed himself to strike into the bottom left corner.
However, similar to earlier, an equaliser wasn’t too far away as the hosts played with aspiration and fight to beat Brooks’ side. Tempers would flare after a kick out by the Rainford right winger and after a few handbags, the skipper rose highest to the set piece. The effort left little chance for the keeper to make a save.
There would be one final goal left in the game and that would be scored by the visitors, an excellent move across midfield lead to an attack in the path of the hosts right back and allowed Ross to smash a ball which was well saved by the keeper.
The ball was parried to Haley who found himself 18 yards out with an open goal. He expertly volleyed the dropping ball into the net, doing well to keep it down to send his side home happy.
West Kirby team: Lewis Warrington, Charlie Clewlow ©, Dan Smith, Lewis Boardman, Cam Kneen, Josh Ross, Gary Fletcher, Nathan Jones, Sam Haley, Carl Murphy, Jazz Harris.
Man of the match: Dan Smith.