Whichever way the wind blows, the team was sure to score….
On a wind swept Our Lady’s School pitch in the heart of Blackley, Shawdale took to the pitch full purpose, with a few new signings having their first run out of the pre-season.
From the kick off, it was clear to see that they had worked on a new format of one touch football, which was pleasing on the eye, which had the opposition chasing their tails, for parts of the game.
But the biggest factor was the wind, any high balls were blown into the nearby field or car park.
Shawdale used that to their advantage, with some great one touch football. But never the less the wind was the telling factor.
With the wind in the first half, Shawdale opened up the Raptors defence at will and wasn’t long before a great ball into the box, found one of the home side defenders slot it passed his own keeper..
Wave after wave of attack, saw the mesmerising feet of Shawdale, creating chance after chance.
Durrant picked up from were he left off last year, smashing the ball into the net on 12 mins.
Shortly after, Royton got on the score sheet from a blistering power driver, that Ellidge didn’t even see.
Shawdale picked up the momentum, Wriggers on the wing, showing his trickery, sometimes out tricking himself, but causing the left back some issues.
Ben Holmes a pillow of strength all day, and scoring a wonder goal late in the second period, that would of graced any professional game. Coach Wylie ran around like a terrier on heat, scrapping at the ankles of the opposition all morning, and setting up Wriggers, after a 40 yd shot on goal, that was fumbled by the keeper, for Wriggers to tap home.
The new lads showed up well and will be an asset to the new look team.
With most of the big guns in defence holidaying in the Maldives, all looks good once the season starts.
Durrant headed in his second to make it 4-2 at the break.
Now Royton with the wind in the second half pressed at every opportunity, and scored another two goals, which they deserved for their efforts.
The wind was playing its part, as time after time ball being held up, even on the floor, so spoiling the visitors chances of going further ahead. Corey put the game to bed late on, with a lovely strike into the left hand corner of the goal. The home side pulled one more goal back, but time had run out, the referee blew his whistle to a great warm up match for both sides.
They meet again next week in a rerun of this thriller today…Lets get down next week and see what the boys have in store for us.
It must be said, on a normal day, Shawdale perhaps would of dominated more, but we cant help the conditions, and was a good work out for the boys, Plus more lads to come back into the side before the Lancashire Cup game in a couple of weeks.