Charnock's progress in the Richardson Cup is halted by Blackpool Wren Rovers. An early goal set up Wren and they extended their lead in the second half before Liam Hayton pulled a goal back in added time.
The Reserves had an excellent 3 - 0 victory in the local derby at Euxton to maintain their challenge for the title.
Blackpool Wren Rovers 2 Charnock Richard 1
Saturday 6th February 2010, Richardson Cup Round 1.
BLACKPOOL WREN ROVERS 2
CHARNOCK RICHARD 1
Scorer : Hayton.
TEAM: Kevin Baldwin, Phil Jackson, Liam Hayton, James Price, Jimmy King, Alex Randell, Andy Roberts (Danny Grimshaw 79), Jordan Wilson (Jordan McFayden 89), Matt Mawdesley, John Sanderson, Carl Grimshaw. SUBS: (Not Used) Mark Chester, George Craddock.
For the second week in a row Charnock were on the end of a 2-1 score line and this defeat at the hands of Blackpool Wren Rovers ended their interest in the Richardson Cup. Charnock conceded a goal after only two minutes and struggled in the early stages of the game to produce any coherent football but they came more into the game as the first half progressed. After a bright start to the second half Charnock were disappointed to go two goals down and although they kept plugging away they lacked a cutting edge up front. Liam Hayton scored a consolation goal in the 91st minute all too late for the Villagers to rescue anything from the game.
In a season when consistency has been sadly lacking in Charnock’s performances much of the blame can possibly be attributed to the difficulty that manager Andy Westwell has had in turning out his best team every week and this game was another example of Charnock not having a number of regular first team players available for selection. Andy Battersby was still out with his thigh injury and he was joined by central defender Mark Kerr who broke his toe in the game the previous week. David Prout was missing due to work commitments. Damian Dashti was serving the last game of his suspension and Chris Robertson was ineligible, as he was not signed until after the original date that the game was scheduled to be played, 6th November. James Price came in at centre back, Jordan Wilson made only his second start in midfield and Andy Roberts was back wearing the captain’s armband. Danny Grimshaw and George Craddock were on the bench after an absence of several months.
Blackpool Wren Rovers took the lead in the second minute, a throw in down the left finished up with Charnock only clearing the ball out to the edge of the area and Rowe hit a shot across Baldwin into the corner of the net. Charnock took some time to get over this early setback and Wren had the majority of the play. Baldwin had to turn a shot over the bar but the home team failed to create any further chances. Slowly Charnock settled down and began to put their game together and on 16 minutes Sanderson produced a shot that the home keeper had to push over the bar. Carl Grimshaw turned in the area but his shot was screwed well wide much to his obvious dismay. The game was now much more even with Charnock, at last, carrying a threat to the home defence. However, Charnock had to thank Kevin Baldwin that they were not two goals down when their defence was split and he came out to divert a shot past the post. Phil Jackson started a run from full back that after several exchanges of passes saw his shot-come-centre having to be palmed out by the home keeper from under the bar. It had taken some time for Charnock’s changed line up to get into their stride but they finished the half having created several nervous moments for the home defenders.
Charnock started the second half very much on the front foot as the home defence were put under pressure. James Price had a header just off target. Somewhat against the run of play Wren increased their lead after 55 minutes. Initially Baldwin came out to block a shot from a player who looked suspiciously offside, the visiting defence failed to clear the ball and Hayton mistimed his tackle on the edge of the area. Rowe took the free kick and placed the ball in the corner of the net out of the reach of the diving Baldwin. Two goals down, Charnock needed to get a goal back quickly and although they saw plenty of the ball they never really threatened to find a way back into the game. As they pushed forward Blackpool looked increasingly dangerous on the break and Kevin Baldwin brought off another great save beating out a fierce shot at his near post. The third time that he prevented the final score being decisive. Charnock at last scored one minute into added time when Carl Grimshaw did well down by the bye line on the left. His cross was hit into the roof of the net from a narrow angle by LIAM HAYTON. There was little time left for Charnock to chase an equaliser and for the second season running Charnock’s quest to lift the Richardson Cup came to an end at Wren Rovers.
Overall the performance had been encouraging with some of the club’s up and coming youngsters able to show their skills. Jordan Wilson, who has missed large chunks of this season due to injury, took time to settle in midfield but showed plenty of his obvious talent to show that he will soon be challenging for a regular start in the side. Matt Mawdesley made his second start and whilst he never really posed to much of a problem to the full back contributed plenty of endeavour. Jordan McFayden’s introduction to the game was much too late for him to make an impact but in previous games he has shown that his pace can be a threat to opposing defences. It was disappointing not to have been able to field the side that played so well at Garstang two weeks earlier but that has been the story of the season so far and I am sure that manager Andy Westwell will be saying we must play with what we have got and not ramble on about what might have been.
