Neston South Wirral lose 4-0 to South Cheshire

Mar 3 2010 by Our Correspondent, Birkenhead News

NESTON South Wirral hold a two point lead at the top of the North West League, despite a 4-0 reverse against South Cheshire.

South Cheshire had to win the game at Sandbach to retain their own promotion interest, whilst Neston knew that a win would give them breathing space in an ever tighter league.

With that in mind, Neston curbed their natural attacking instincts, choosing to hit their opponents on the counter-attack.

For the first 25 minutes, Neston enjoyed much of the ball, but were ponderous in possession. However, they created most of the handful of chances that came about, with Rogier Van Der Ouderaa unfortunate to see his shot cleared off the line.

The home side fortuitously bagged an opener before the break when a free hit took a couple of deflections before falling to a striker in front of goal.

After the interval, South Cheshire made a crucial breakthrough, when Paul Shepherd saved an initial shot only to lose sight of the ball in his pads, and the Neston defence watched in horror as the ball fell loose to a grateful forward to slap into the net.

Neston were forced to push more men forward in search of a result, and the home keeper made a couple of good saves to deny the visitors. The Sandbach side thrive in this sort of game though, and they exposed the spaces left at the back to score twice from breakaways. In the end Neston were grateful to hear the final whistle.

THIS Saturday, Neston play their final home game of the season when an in-form Preston side visit Parkgate (1.30pm).

ELSEWHERE, an excellent run of form has given the ladies’ first team an outside chance of promotion, and they moved into second place in the Cheshire League after Sally Bell's brace helped them to a 2-1 win at Timperley.