Woodley Sports Res 4 v Barrow Res 0

From Steve Patton

On Saturday, in a damp grey part of Manchester, the Reserves found themselves up against a well-organised, experienced team who lead the League by 12 points. Although they were to leave the John Rouke Stadium beaten 4-0, it was an interesting experience that threw up one or two firsts. This was the first of four Saturday League matches the Reserves are faced with between now and the end of the season, the next one being away to Stalybridge Celtic in a fortnight time.

The game was played on a G3 (artificial) surface that allowed boots with either blades or moulded soles but no studs. It also allowed the ball to bounce high, zip off the surface and continually run out for a series of throw ins. A distinct advantage to the home team who worked the pace of the pitch much better than us.

The best part of the day was when Darren Sheridan produced five of his Salford lads to play, something that was muted at the beginning of the season. The fact that the team coach left and returned to Barrow with only two players on shows the continued challenge to engage local lads to play regularly for the Reserves, having said that, we picked up regular players on the way down and arrived at the ground with 15 players.

The Salford lads were up for the game: chatty and good natured, listening to what we were trying to do, and by the end of the warm up at least knew what number their shirt was and what position they were playing.

We were expecting a torrid time. Woodley Sports first team's game was off and there was a fair smattering of them, plus returning injured players.

We had Ben Daniels in nets, and although small in stature, he showed really crisp handling skills and lovely quick distribution. Phil Morris and Liam Holmes combined with our two new centre-backs, Kane Brown and Steve Richardson, really well and continued to frustrate Woodley right up to half-time, unfortunately just as the whistle was about to be blown for the break, a very well-struck shot from outside the box looked to be well saved by Daniels. But as he landed on the hard unnatural surface, the ball jarred from his grasp and whilst the ball appeared to have been rescued from crossing the line by his quick reactionsand kept out. Alas the assistant referee on the home supporters' side of the ground, some 30 metres away, flagged furiously to attract the referee and indicate a goal. This was a crushing blow right on half-time but to the team's utmost credit they took the half-time whistle and collected their thoughts in the changing room.

Thoughts were that we were realistically still well in the game, and the opposition had begun to play the long ball game as they were frustrated by the resolute defending shown by Barrow team.

The game was to fall apart within five minutes of the restart when a penalty, given as the ball raced out of play when the centre forward fell over in a vain attempt to stop it, was duly dispatched and was followed up seconds later by a great goal when the Woodley Sports winger effortlessly laid on a superb ball that was brilliantly headed home.

The Barrow team were now looking at an avalanche, but they pulled themselves ,together with Brown putting in some great tackles and constantly cajoling players around him to get stuck in, the team retained its shape and resolution

Luke Powell up front had no service whatsoever but showed glimpses of real talent and, on a couple of occasions, turned his defender on a sixpence and left him for dead. In reality, we only offered a few long-range efforts that never really troubled the Woodley keeper and the fourth goal came at the death when the young team were really out on their last legs.

Four-nil might seem a thrashing but there were enormous number of pluses to take from the game not least all the players who represented the club in an exemplary manner. The after-match crack was good and the Woodley management and supporters very complimentary of our club and our players.

Our next game, coming quick and fast, is up the coast to Workington this coming Thursday.