Pilkington FC 3-1 Atherton LR FC
Saturday 4th January 2020, NWCL Division One North

Pilks’ new year got off to the best possible start with a hard fought 3-1 win against a resilient Atherton LR team. Both teams started with energy in abundance with the opposition especially determined to make amends for their two previous defeats this season at the hands of Pilks.

It was however Pilks who struck first on 16 mins when Phil Marsh’s sublime pass found skipper Luke Sephton who fired home an unstoppable shot across the keeper from just inside the box.
Atherton’s first attempt came just 2 mins later when Strong tried his luck from distance but his shot flew high over Patrick McLoughlin’s crossbar.

On 22 mins Pilks full back Paul Meadows conceded a free kick 20 yds out and saw yellow from referee Mark Hughes for kicking the ball away. Minutes later, Ben Maddocks had the next chance for Pilks but fired his shot wide from 20 yds.

Pilks were having the better of things with Marcus Giglio and Marsh pulling the strings from midfield but on 39 mins Atherton’s Hancock went on a mazy run into the box but was halted by dominant centre back Dom Whelan.

Shortly before half time Meadows again fell foul of the referee after what seemed more of a tangle than a foul, the referee taking the view it was the latter and flashed the second yellow card to the somewhat unfortunate Meadows.

HT 1-0

Pilks would now face at least another 45 mins with only 10 men but at least they had a lead to defend. They didn’t appear to be adversely affected by the sending off however and actually grew in stature as the half progressed. Things worsened slightly when skipper Sephton was cautioned for a late challenge midway through the half.

On 56 mins a Miguel Gillam interception saw him feed Matty Taylor but his shot didn’t trouble Garner in the Atherton goal. It was Taylor again on 58 mins who collected a long pass from Whelan but again the Atherton goal was not threatened by the attempt.

McLoughlin was called into action on 64 mins when Atherton’s Jeffs played in Hutton, his shot causing no alarm however.

The attacking force of Sephton, Taylor and Marsh was proving troublesome for Atherton on the counter attack and each had half chances in the last quarter of the game.

On 78 mins Taylor Prescott replaced Taylor up front for Pilks, Taylor having showed tremendous effort and enterprise as the lone striker in the second half.

Momentum turned however on 82 mins when Adam Lawrence finally broke Pilks resistance. Barnes made a strong run and his shot was saved by the legs of keeper McLoughlin, but rebounded to Lawrence who dispatched it into the Pilks net.

Atherton smelled blood and sensed they could get more than the draw now on offer but this Pilks team has shown time and again the ability to fight to the end.

On 88mins it was Danny Greene who was on hand to tap home a Sephton flick on to snatch a very late 2-1 lead. Pilks were not finished however and in the 90th min they produced a goal worthy of any game in any league.

The ball was cleared from the Pilks box and picked up by Taylor Prescott who advanced into the Atherton half. Prescott reversed his pass into the path of the supporting Whelan who appeared set to shoot but had the awareness to square the ball to Marsh who finished the move with a sweeping shot into the Atherton goal.

This was a strong performance from a developing Pilks side who came through a stern test of playing half a match with only 10 men and went on to win the game. Atherton LR played well and contributed to this entertaining game by persevering to the end. They were finally picked off by the counter attacking prowess of Pilks.

Attendance: 110

Team: 1. Patrick McLoughlin 2. Paul Meadows 3. Nathan Moore 4. Ben Maddocks 5. Miguel Gillam 6. Dominic Whelan 7. Marcus Giglio 8. Luke Sephton 9. Matty Taylor 10. Phil Marsh 11. Daniel Greene Subs: 12 Taylor Prescott 14 Liam Dodd 15 Karl Elias 16 Taylor Brickell 17. George Atkinson

Pilkington FC 3-2 St.Helens Town AFC
Thursday 26th December 2019, NWCFL Division One North

Billed as the “El Glassico”, this first ever competitive meeting between the two teams was decided by a late Matty Taylor strike.

Prior to kick off there was a minutes silence in memory of Phil Fisher, former Town and Pilkington FC physio and goalkeeping coach who sadly passed away last week.

Pilks had their ball in the net as early as the 2nd minute but Callum Laird’s finish from a Phil Marsh cross was ruled out for offside. Only 3 minutes later Laird again went agonisingly close from a Nathan Moore cross, the ball going just wide of the post.

Pilks were about to pay for their poor finishing as Town responded in the 7th minute when Obua Mugalula turned his marker in the box and slotted home for the first goal of the afternoon.

Pilks had good opportunities to level. Notably, Luke Sephton with an unchallenged header in the box on 17 mins sending his effort wide of the post. Town’s superb counter attacking instincts then provided their second goal on 22 mins when Neil Weaver tapped home at the far post from a Mugalula cross.

This was looking ominous for Pilks and on 24 mins Town had the chance to extend their lead even further when Dom Whelan felled Varela in the box, the resulting penalty kick from Town’s Daniel Lomax was sent high over the bar. Pilks had escaped.

On 27 mins Town keeper Carl Williams produced a fine save to deny Phil Marsh’s free kick effort. The resulting corner kick was met by Sephton but again went over the bar.

Further chances for both teams followed, Pilks keeper saving a Varela effort with his legs and then on 36 mins a good strike from Pilks Danny Greene was pushed around the post for a corner, which came to nothing.

It was Laird who had the next chance for Pilks on 38 mins but his effort went over the bar after good work by Sephton. Pilks had had their chances but couldn’t finish.

On 40 mins Marsh was adjudged to have been fouled by Camara, Marsh himself taking the free kick from 22yds out. It was hit hard and low and found the corner of the goal. Pilks were back in the game

Half-time: 1-2

Pilks started the half well and Laird had the ball in the net on 55 mins but again it was ruled out for offside. Sephton had the next chance on 64 mins when he put his shot wide of the post after being played in my Nathan Moore.

In football it seems the 65 min mark is often the signal to change things and so it was with Pilks. Matty Taylor replacing Danny Greene.

Pilks Marcus Giglio was cautioned on 66 for a late challenge as things intensified in this local derby.

Town’s only significant chance of the half so far came on 72 mins when Weaver got behind the Pilks defence and deftly lobbed keeper Sam Tickle, his attempt going narrowly wide.

Young Taylor Prescott replaced Laird on 79 mins and joined Matty Taylor upfront for a final push for the equaliser. 5 mins later the evergreen Phil Marsh obliged with a cool finish to make it 2-2.

The turnaround for Pilks had been dramatic and we were in for an even more dramatic finale.

Only 2 mins later Matty Taylor did what Matty Taylor does when he finished a move with an angled shot to make it 3-2 to Pilks with only 5 minutes left.

Pilks had turned this game on its head and now had to hang on as Town sought to recover the game in the short time that was left.

Sephton and Town’s Weaver clashed on the 90 min mark, Sephton seeing yellow for his trouble. On 92 mins Town’s Morgan Onuh had a great chance to level the game but sent his shot high and wide.

That was the last significant action and referee Dan Hooten called time.

From Town’s point of view it was a case of what might have been, especially after spurning the chance to lead 0-3 For Pilks it was a dramatic comeback, showing again their collective character and determination.

For the 193 supporters who looked on, they had been treated to a feast of entertainment and drama. The first ever ‘El Glassico’ was won by Pilkington FC, the next game in this series will be during Easter 2020.

Match sponsor, the Branded Items Group awarded the Man of the Match to Pilks No7 Marcus Giglio.

Team:
Sam Tickle, Nathan Moore, George Atkinson, Jack Cunliffe, Miguel Gillam, Dom Whelan, Marcus Giglio, Luke Sephton(c), Phil Marsh, Callum Laird, Danny Greene Subs: Paul Meadows, Ben Maddocks, Matty Taylor, Jack Gibney, Taylor Prescott.