29/01/2017
Right on the Manny!
Manny Road went within one game of the title today with a 6 0 victory over Lostock FC.
An own goal along with goals from Ryan Aspinall, Xavier Close, Lee Hemmings, Tom Helsby and Nathan Peddie wrapped up a comfortable afternoon at Walkers Avenue.
The game began with a tense first fifteen minutes where both teams grappled for control of the game with both keepers making good saves to keep the tie level.
Then came the moment the 8 strong home following had been waiting for as Tom Helsby picked the ball up on the right wing from a Alex Openshaw pickout; Tom danced through two players before driving a low cross to the back post which was inadvertently deflected in by an unknown Lostock defender.
From this point Manny were in control of the tie and soon made it 2 after an inch perfect cross from Xavier Close picked out an unmarked Ryan Aspinall at the back post who coolly controlled and slotted through the keepers legs.
Tom Helsby then raced through one on one with the keeper but saw his deft chip saved by an outstretched arm.
The third soon came though and it was worth waiting for! After Tom Helsby beat two players on the right wing and crossed in, Xavier Close superbly controlled a high ball above his head with back to goal, turned in one movement and thrashed a screaming volley into the very top corner with the keeper unmoved.
3-0 was the half time score and the management team of Tom Kay and Nathan Patel brought on the fresh legs of Louis Dawson, Nathan Peddie, Jordan Stanford, Adrian Patel and Charlie Helsby to heap yet more pressure on a tiring Lostock side.
With Manny looking very solid defensively the win seemed assured and Manny were enjoying themselves. This enjoyment soon turned to ecstacy as Billy Worthington gathered a loose ball in his gloves and quickly set top scorer Lee Hemmings away down the left, who took one touch and volleyed over the keeper from 30 yards. Hemmings wheeled away in celebration, seeming to enjoy the goal even more than usual because of previous squabbles with the Lostock goalkeeper and boy, he was not afraid to show his happiness.
It could have been five a few minutes later when Edd Morton was set through on goal, but unfortunately his pace let him down when he ran like he was pulling a cart through a swamp and the defender intercepted for a corner that came to nothing.
From this moment on the game became the Nathan Peddie show as the central midfielder really seemed to be reveling in his role. This was epitomised by his chest control in the centre circle, dropping of the shoulder and the way he sold two opposition players dummies to play Tom Helsby through on goal. The rest was inevitable as the ever cool Helsby took one touch to beat his marker, another to seat the keeper and a third to slot home gracefully into the bottom corner.
This particular cake was shortly iced as well when Charlie Helsby showed the Lostock left back yet another clean pair of heels and his shot-cum-cross was tapped home at the back post by Nathan Peddie to make it 6-0.
With one game left the title remains in Manny's hands with a trip to Harper Green playing fields becoming a key date in everyone's diaries in two weeks time
Goals: Tom Helsby, Ryan Aspinall, Lee Hemmings, Xavier Close, Nathan Peddie, o.g.
Man of the Match: Nathan 'Pirlo' Peddie
COYGs!
