Crucial win for Oxton

Feb 20 2013 by Our Correspondent, Birkenhead News

OXTON faced a strong Bowdon second team, which had been strengthened by first team players to help them rise out of the relegation zone.

The skill and experience of these additional players made the difference as they won 2-1 against league leaders Bowdon, whose promotion chances now hang in the balance after this result.

The first half saw Bowdon take an immediate hold on the game, dominating the possession and making few errors. The particularly bouncy water based surface played into the home side's favour and this showed with less miss-traps compared to their opponents. Bowdon's dominance lead to a goal from their young South African International, drag flicking the ball hard into the bottom right corner past the Oxton keeper.

Bowdon maintained their pressure on Oxton and netted another goal before half time, this time, coming from open play.

The second half saw a resurgence from the Oxton side who pressed Bowdon hard, trying to create some opportunities to get back into the game. Oxton had short corners which they did not capitalise on. However, their motivation to get a result showed as they finally scored from a reverse stick shot between the keeper's legs, scored by Ali Mackenzie.

Oxton looked the stronger side in the last 15 minutes of the game, but the two goal deficit was too much for Oxton to overturn and the final whistle blew with the home side beating Oxton 2-1.

Oxton will hope that Bowdon can beat Deeside Ramblers next week who currently top the table by two points and with a game in hand.