MATCH REPORT: Sutcliffe Secures Three Points With Late Winner

Written by Jacob Jones.

It was a fantastic scene at the end of Friday night’s game following Ethan Sutcliffe’s last gasp winner against Burscough. This win ensures that we will still be in a playoff spot come the end of this weekend and heading in to next week.

The game did not waste any time providing the fans with drama, less than ten minutes into the game, Matt Barlow knocks the ball around the Burscough keeper before being clattered on the way through.

Up stepped Matty Crothers to take the penalty, but a great save by the goalkeeper denied him from opening the scoring underneath the floodlights.

As the half progressed, the game lacked any real quality, the best chance coming to our opponents from a freekick that forced a good save from s returning Morgan Bacon.

We did however go a goal up before half-time, Matty Crothers with a fantastic delivery, inviting James Purfield to attack the ball and score his second goal in as many games.

But we would not go into the break with this advantage as right on the dawn of half-time, the visitors equalised. A cross from the right-hand side was turned in from just a few yards out by Callum Laird.

The second half lacked any real quality from either team, our best chance coming through Muis whose header sailed over the bar from close range.

Six minutes were added on at the end of the game, these would prove to be very memorable. When Barlow’s shot was saved, Ethan Sutcliffe reacted faster than anyone else and tapped it home to win us the game.

Overall, a game that lacked quality throughout, but a very important three points that we will look to build on, starting against top of the league, Ramsbottom United on Tuesday.

#UpTheChad