| FRIENDSHIP 1 FIRST INN 2 |
| First registered their first points of the season with a narrow 2-1 victory over Friendship. A bloke called Chris from Middlesbrough started in midfield, Darren Wright returned and joined Paul Owen in a three man midfield, with Morrison on his own up front. Mike Headlam played on the left flank in place of Dean Abbott. Mark Jackson returned to partner Mike Thomas in the centre of defence, and Richard Usher slotted into left back in Mick Bagshaw's absence. Both sides made a cagy start in windswept conditions at the Showfield before torrential rain seemed to shoot the game into life, and Friendship took the lead after poor marking enabled them to slot home from close range. Morrison was looking insolated in attack and First only threatened when Headlam had the ball on the left. At half-time the score remained 1-0. Reserve Keeper Dan Locker replaced Lee Wardill between the sticks at the break, with Wardill's brother Andrew taking over from a tired looking Chris in midfield. First made a conscious effort to attack in the second half and with Wardill and Headlam using their pace at every opportunity they looked dangerous for the first time in the game. And it wasn't long before Morrison's testing right wing cross was deflected past his own keeper by an unfortunate Friendship defender to level the scores. First now looked the better side and just moments later were in the lead. A neat through ball by Headlam picked out Morrison who stormed clear and slotted under Franks. First In then sat back and were lucky as Friendship struck the crossbar and two shots were cleared off the line. Anth Hunter replaced Jackson in defence towards the end. In a breakaway raid, Morrison smashed a ferocious effort against the upright from a seemingly impossible angle. Headlam smashed two efforts dangerously across goal, one missing Morrison's outstrteched boot by millimetres. First, just about hung on, with Darren Wright many people's choice as man of the match, though there were plenty of other candidates in a strong team performance that will do wonders for morale. L Wardill(Locker), Trott, Usher, Jackson(Hunter), Thomas, Owen, Wright, Chris(A Wardill), Howard, Morrison, M Headlam. Subs not used: Tose, C Headlam. |
| Sunday September 22nd |
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