LITHERLAND FRUSTRATED BY RESOLUTE DAISY HILL

DAISY HILL 0 LITHERLAND REMYCA 0
NWCFL 1 @ THE NEW SIRS
22 APRIL 2017 --- 3PM

LITHERLAND ON THE ATTACK AT DAISY HILL

The hopes of obtaining an automatic promotion spot were dealt a serious blow for Litherland by a resolute Daisy Hill who spent much of the game defending with tremendous gusto and then very nearly snatching the winner in the third minute of stoppage time.
For the blog this was also a frustrating encounter being the third nil nil game on the trot and I cant remember a time when this run last happened, if ever, I even had some of my texting me after the game saying let them know where I was going next and they would avoid the game!
As ever a start from base station saw us travelling over to Manchester for the third time in just over a week and after a comfortable change at Oxford Rd we were soon passing Athertons LR's ground and pulling into Daisy Hill station at just after midday.

BLUE PLAQUE FROM THE LOCAL HISTORICAL SOCIETY

In the planning for the game we found out a few interesting history facts about Daisy Hills adjoining town of Westhoughton and having discovered a 'spoons we took a small walk to the town.  First point of interest was the blue plaque on the White Lion which told the story of The Luddites who had burned down the mill opposite the pub in 1812 in protest at the development of machinery that they feared would take their jobs.

A MODERN SPOONS THE ROBERT SHAW

The lunch stop was decided as the spoons which goes by the name of The Robert Shaw having known very little about the name it was named after the actor, born in the town, of the same name who appeared in The Sting and Jaws to name just a few.  Before we settled down for dinner we took a look at the house on King St, opposite the 'spoons, where Shaw was born.  The only slightly obscure thing was that during Shaw's life he seems to have had a well reported battle with the alcohol and now he has a pub named after him.  Lunch called and after Mick had gone through much of the menu by the time he found an item they had not run out of we finally settled down for some eats in this modern establishments.

THE JOHN WESLEY BOLDER

Upon departing we took a circuitous route to the ground which called to see a bolder that John Wesley stood on to preach from in the area in 1785 to the large gathered crowd.
An interesting visit to the town with a lot of history associated to the area.  On arrival in the vicinity of the ground Daisy Hill Cricket Club were hosting a T20 game which already looked packed on this sunny day with lots of stalls and activities in full swing, we bypassed the entertainment turned up the approach drive way to The New Sirs and the grounds large tilting and clubhouse and changing rooms of character are the first thing to tell you of your arrival.  This area as been much photographed elsewhere so to be different I elected not to use any pictures.  The top side sees entrance through a small turnstile block with a blackboard featuring todays nice little message from Daisy Hill's Chairman thanking the supporters.

NICE LITTLE MESSAGE FROM MR CHAIRMAN

Admission paid it was disappointing to find no programme published for the game at step 6 level for the fair few travelling Litherland fans and the hoppers.
The ground then to the left is the aforementioned changing rooms block with a lean on roof to the front with yellow tip up seats.  The far touchline is out of bounds and the near touchline has a small covered terrace and the dug outs to the far goal, as per the near goal, a curved pathway behind the goal and a warming up area.  The pitch is railed off with a selection of standard poles plus new style horse racing tubular railing.
Plenty of friendly people here at the game from both sides and NWCFL officials all alongside the ever friendly Liverpudlians.  It was good to catch up with Jeff whose son Luke Holden was to come off the bench in the second half, a very enjoyable chat Jeff all the best to you and Litherland.
The public address system was competing with its relative at the neighbouring cricket ground but as we kicked off Litherland needed a win to keep their hopes alive for an automatic promotion spot and for Daisy Hill it was all about pride.

COLIN QUIRK HAS IT ALL UNDER CONTROL

The early action saw Jake Connor hit the post and then suffer an injury for his efforts at the other end Daniel Gregory tested the visiting keeper David Potter but overall the pressure was coming for the visitors but some poor delivery seemed to be letting them down.  As the first half wore on Colin Quirk got a sharp shot away that Kyle Hynes cleared off the line to deny Litherland.

THE TRIPLE BELL TOWER OF ST JAMES OVERVIEWS PROCEEDINGS ON THE PITCH

We went into the break goalless and the possibility of my third goalless game in a row was on the cards, but surely Litherland's dominance would produce a goal.

ITS ON THE TIP OF MY FOOT

It so nearly happened on 55 minutes when it was Quirk again who got a 25 yard effort in only for the ball to crash down off the underside of the bar and away to safety.   The pressure built and 3 minutes later substitute Holden tested Craig Haynes in the home goal who went fell length to fingertip his effort away from the goal.  Michael Boyle was next to test Haynes and again the home custodian stood up and blocked the REMYCA mans effort.

HAYNES SAVES THE DAY AGAIN FOR DAISY HILL

This game had been all Litherland as they searched the 3 points their campaign needed for automatic promotion and Daisy Hill had been outstanding in their work rate to deny them.  The sucker punch nearly came in the third minute of stoppage time when Ashley Stott for Daisy Hill broke through lobbed the out coming Litherland keeper David Potter only for his effort to agonisingly hit the post.  This fired up Litherland who had a succession of three corners that were all cleared many with the acrobatics of Craig Haynes in the home goal.
At the end the Litherland players slumped to the floor they had given their all and with a little bit of luck would probably have won but in credit to Daisy Hill they had battled for every ball and made this a very difficult game for the promotion chasers.

LITHERLAND CAPTAIN STEPHEN KING COLLAPSES TO THE FLOOR SHATTERED AT THE FINAL WHISTLE

From a neutral point of view it missed a goal and when you've seen 2 games without a goal you can but hope.  So its now 3 on the trot and all we are saying is 'give us a goal'.
With half an hour to spare before our Northern Rail carriage was due we popped along to watch some T20 cricket next door and did a boundary circuit it was really good to see families out watching and the weather hold for the club especially with the attractions they had put on.  Oh yes and there were runs scored id didn't finish at 0 for 0.
Smooth connection at Oxford Road saw the blog arrive back at base station around 8pm and searching for the fixtures for a game that might just feature goal now!