Prescot Cables 3 - Droylsden 2

SATURDAY 27^TH February 2016 - EVO-STIK DIVISION ONE NORTH

Prescot Cables defeated Droylsden in five goal thriller at Hope Street.

Cables Manager Andy Paxton made just two changes from the team which had drawn away to Bamber Bridge in midweek, Anthony Shinks and Rob Doran replacing Jacob Jones and Andy Scarisbrick.

Cables kicked off playing towards the Knowsley End and there was an early opportunity when Staunton-Turner played Lloyd Dean through on goal, but he was adjudged offside. Doran, Dean and Josh Nichoslon then linked up on the left with Doran crossing into the penalty area but his cross was cleared by the Droylsden defence. Cables were dominating possession in the early stages of the game and another good passing move between Doran and Dean set up an opportunity for Staunton-turner whose shot was deflected over the bar for a corner. Bannister took the corner which Droylsden keeper Steve James collected comfortably.

Cables won another corner shortly afterwards again taken by Bannister, Doran having his first shot blocked then hitting his second attempt over the bar. On a rare excursion into the Cables half, Barber crossed form deep into the penalty area for Hasler Cregg who shot wide of the far post. Bram Johnstone caused Cables hearts to flutter when he headed the ball back to Marcus Burgess who just managed to collect it in time from Droylsden striker Brandon Zibaka.      

Droylsden were now starting to get more possession and put pressure on the Cables defence. A long ball by O’Brien put Domaine Rouse into a dangerous position but Jonah O.Reilly made a fine tackle inside the penalty area and cleared for Cables. O’Reilly was then dispossessed by Zibaka who played in Carlos Rouse but he was adjudged offside. On 19 minutes Bannister crossed from the right for Lloyd Dean who headed over the bar for Cables. On 24 minutes Droylsden took the lead when Brandon Zibaka crossed low into the penalty area and when the Cables defence failed to clear, Carlos Rouse was on hand to steer the ball into the net.

Cables response was immediate, Lloyd Dean receiving the ball outside the Droylsden penalty area and advancing forward fired a 20 yard shot past Steve James to put Cables level on 26 minutes. The goal revitalised Cables and Phil Bannister headed the ball down to Rob Doran whose shot was saved by Steve James. Jonah O’Reilly played an accurate long ball out of defence which put Doran clear but he was ruled offside. Joe Nicholson played a neat one two with Rob Doran, Nicholson finding himself through on goal with only the keeper to beat but James positioned himself well and made a fine save.

On 40 minutes Cables were awarded a free kick in a dangerous position outside the Droylsden penalty area. Doran took the free kick, his shot sailing over the bar. Cables were awarded another free kick for a foul by Domaine Rouse on Joe Nicholson. Jonah O’Reilly took the free kick finding Joe Nicholson whose shot rebounded off the inside of the goal post. Bram Johnstone then crossed from the left for Bannister whose glancing header was held by James.

Droylsden kicked off the second half in a determined mood, and Burgess made a fine save from Brandon Zibaka. Rob Doran had an opportunity soon afterwards for Cables but hit his shot wide. On 50 minutes, Domaine Rouse received a yellow card for a foul on Marcus Burgess as he chased a long ball. Droylsden were breaking quickly and Dan Grimshaw’s cross from the right dropped invitingly for Domaine Rouse and Zibaka who just failed to connect. The action was flowing from end to end, and Dean played Doran through who fired over the bar. On 56 minutes, a cross by Johnstone from the left was headed wide by Bannister.  

However, within a minute Cables were in front when Doran took a high ball on his chest before strolling into the penalty area and slotting the ball past James inside the far post to put Cables 2-1 ahead. However straight from the restart a long ball from Droylsden caught the Cables defence unawares and Carlos Rouse scored from 15 yards with a spectacular strike to make it 2-2. Back came Cables and Rob Doran’s powerful strike from 20 yards flashed just wide of the post.

Cables made their first change on 61 minutes, James Edgar replacing Phil Bannister. Droylsden’s Matt Burke was shown a yellow card for a foul. Doran took the free kick for Cables which was held by Steve James. On 68 minutes Cables regained the lead when Lloyd Dean took a long ball over the top of the Droylsden defence and slotted the ball past James inside the far post to make it 3-2 to Cables.

Cables now looked to put the game to bed, and Johnstone crossed for Doran whose header was saved by James. Dean then played the ball through to Doran who shot wide. Droylsden made a double change on 74 minutes, Luke Daly and James Hampson replacing Brandon Zibaka and Matt Burke. Cables then had another opportunity when Rob Doran latched onto a long ball and fired just wide of the far post.

Cables made their second change on 77 minutes, Joe Evans replacing Joe Nicholson. Evans was soon in the thick of the action firing over the cross bar after Josh Nicholson headed the ball down.  Cables made their third and final change on 82 minutes when Charlie Duke replaced Josh Nicholson. Carlos Rouse fired wide for Droylsden with a long range effort as they pushed forward in search of an equaliser.

However it was Cables who nearly scored again when Joe Herbert headed against the post from Charlie Duke’s corner. In added time a brawl broke out near the touch line, Charlie Duke receiving a yellow card and Droylsden’s Dan Grimshaw a red card.

Prescot Cables: Burgess, Shinks, Johnstone, O’Reilly, Herbert, Joe Nicholson, Bannsiter, Staunton-Turner, Doran, Dean, Josh Nicholson. Substitutes: Patton, Duke, Grainger, Edgar, Evans.

Droylsden: James, Clark, Barber, Wodd, O’Brien, Burke, Grimshaw,, D Rowse,Zibaka, C Rouse, Cregg. Substitutes: Pimo, Daly, Hampson, Howe, Hewitt.