Neston South Wirral won an intense battle against Wilmslow

Sep 23 2009 by Our Correspondent, Birkenhead News

NESTON South Wirral returned to competitive action with a thrilling 6-5 win at Wilmslow in the Cheshire Plate.

Neston have made several useful signings over the summer, and with the new look side still finding it's feet, Wilmslow found themselves 2-0 up early on as the visitors struggled to find cohesion. This stirred Neston into action, and new boy Mark Donnelly reduced the deficit, before Wilmslow's slick penalty corner routine put them 2 goals clear at the break.

The goalmouth action continued after the interval, with Aled Jarvis and returning Dutchman, Rogier Van Der Ouderaa, putting Neston on level terms . The home side regained the lead from another corner, before Neston again opened up the Wilmslow defence as Donnelly and Smith found the net to give the Parkgate men a 5-4 lead. Neston were punished for a lack of concentration in the dying seconds as Wilmslow forced an equaliser to take the game into extra time. Wilmslow immediately had an opportunity to take the tie, but Neston's new skipper, goalkeeper Paul Shepherd, saved well, and it was the home side who were stunned as Smith bagged his second to give Neston the golden goal.