Slaithwaite Res. 3 Westend Res. 3

District League Reserve Div 2

Players called up to the first team meant that a young Westend side with nine players 18 and under travelled to face an in form Slaithwaite side battling against relegation.

The reds started well combating the physical approach of the home side. Winger Josh Walters curled home the opener from twenty yards, and within minutes Sam Boothroyd flicked home a Steve Batley free kick. A crazy ten minutes then saw the home side slide in their first goal at the far post.  A clever lob then saw them equalise and suddenly it was the visitors who were under pressure. A header right on the stroke of half time gave Slaithwaite a deserved lead at the halfway mark.

Changes were made at the break with youngsters Ben Johnson and Luke Robertson introduced.  This gave the reds more options with midfielders Warren Canavan and Karl Fleetwood gaining more possession. Centre backs Craig Boustead and Adam Haigh were dealing with the aerial threat and the reds had their best spell of the game.  A deserved equaliser came fifteen minutes from time when striker Luke Robertson calmly lobbed the ball over the advancing keeper.  Darren Weaver then made an excellent save as both teams pressed for the winner.  With the very last play Robertson saw his angled volley sail inches wide and both teams had to settle for a point.  The young squad showed spirit and determination against their more experienced opponents and providing they stay together this team has a very promising future.

Westend 1 Scholes 1

District League Div 2

The home side missed two early chances and these proved vital against fellow relegation strugglers Scholes on a wet and windy day at the New College.

Westend took the lead in the tenth minute when a superb cross from Adam Chapman gave Toyan Greaves a simple chance to side foot the ball past the keeper from ten yards.  Playing down the hill and with the wind behind them the home team were well on top, but once again were unable to put away the chances created.

The visitors began the second half in great style and the Westend defence looked decidedly shaky under intense Scholes pressure.  With twenty minutes to go Scholes gained deserved reward for their play when the striker headed home from ten yards out.

With both teams looking to gain all three points chances were created and missed in equal measures at both ends of the pitch and the final whistle went with no further addition to the score.