Chester
6, Lytham
St Annes 0
OUTCLASSED
Lytham St Annes men were left chasing shadows against slick hockey hosts Chester
in the Northern Premier League.
They
were on the back loot from the very start when Chester capitalised on a
well-worked short corner. The pace
of Chester's game was extremely fast throughout and Lytham couldn't survive
against continuous pressure.
Lytham
were 3-0 down at half time, and conceded a fourth within seconds of the second
half from a short corner which Lytham felt was harshly awarded.
Another
two well-worked goals followed. If
Lytham could gain anything from this game, it was a good team spirit.
Chris Hadley did well on his recall and Craig Nuttall's fitness and
energy never waned.
LSAs
second string lost 2-1 at home to Liverpool Sefton in the North-West League
Division Five in fielding a much-changed side.
Lytham
started well with Rob Davis, Gavin Gettings and Kevin Jackson combining together
down the left wing but a sloppy goal against the run of play set the team back.
Rob
Davis picked up the remnants of a penalty corner and fired in a strong shot at
goal but a further defensive lapse left them trailing 2-1 at half-time.
The
second half was extremely competitive with Lytham missing a penalty among other
chances. However there are signs of
improvement.
Bolton
fourths whipped LSA thirds 4-0 after the losers spurned many scoring chances
including penalty corners. Bolton
took full advantage in hitting them on the break.
Michael
Hall, Paul Burnett, Anton Wright and Chris Maling all worked hard.
It
was a bad day also for LSA fourths, beaten 3-0 at home to Southport.
Lytham put in a good solid performance but fell to opportunist goals.
They
were caught cold straight from the start. They
then attacked well with Simon Gardiner working hard in midfield and Danny
Cottier-Brown wasted a couple of good chances while Andy Pothecary marshalled
his defence in the first half.
In
the second half, Tim Killick shone on the right wing and youngsters Stuart Waby
and Jake Lavin impressed. Despite
the efforts of Matt Paterson in goal and Kevin Waby at centre back, Southport
scored twice in the last 15 minutes.
Southport
were also the victors against LSA Beavers, who battled hard before going down
2-1.
Oliver
Ashworth controlled the game well at centre midfield and the game remained 0-0
until well into the second half when Beavers were hit by two quick goals.
In
a determined finish Nick Little and Matt Edwards combined for a well-worked goal
by the latter and Lytham were unlucky not to equalise.
HIGH-riders
Lytham St Annes turned on the style for a convincing win in the Premier Division
of the Lancashire Central Women's League.
By
the time the game ended the all-weather pitch at Lytham St Annes High School
resembled a lake.
Lytham
opened the scoring after only one minute with a good goal from Gill Harrison.
The
weather got worse but Lytham certainly didn't and great play from Janet Shaw led
to a goal from Ruth Blackburn, who added another with a superb solo run.
Lian Atkinson and Gill Harrison added second-half goals.
LSA
seconds went down 4-2 at- home to Nelson seconds in Division One after going
ahead early on when a fine pass from Jo Martyn Clarke to Kelly Gore was
converted.
Nelson
came back with two quick goals but after a goalmouth scramble Helen Murdock
pushed the ball home.
Karen
Barker was injured but swapped with goalkeeper Joanne Currie who played at left
back.
Nelson sealed the game early in the second hald.
Lorna Lwaxh was again a tower of strength in Lytham’s defence while Kim
Shaples, Natalie Ingham, Kelly Gore and Helen Murdoch all worked tirelessly in a
better team effort.