This weekend there were two games that took place in the SportsReach football league. Firstly, Great Ecc travelled up to Wray in the ‘Fight for the title’. Wray knew they had to win to be confirmed as League Champions, whilst Great Ecc knew that a win or a draw would all but confirm them as League Champions for the second season in a row. Meanwhile, in the battle for third spot, Lancaster faced Fulwood again, this time down at Deepdale.
Atkinson’s double crowns Wray as Champions!
Wray 3 – 1 Great Ecc
Fawcett 37, Atkinson 53, 65 // Ball 28
Wray secured their first League title since 1996 after a Joe Atkinson brace inspired them to a 3-1 win against Great Eccleston on Saturday afternoon. The midfielder netted twice in the second-half, after Jake Fawcett had equalised for the home side. Victory sees Wray finish in top spot for the first time in 22 years, after going the entirety of the season unbeaten.
It was the home side who started the game on the front foot, with Martin Huddleston seeing his low shot expertly tipped onto the post, but after not taking their chances, Great Eccleston grew into the game. A series of corners and long throw-ins started to put pressure on the Wray back line and on 28 minutes they took the lead, with Daniel Ball tapping in from close range. That goal seemed to breathe some life back into the home side and just nine minutes later they got their equalizer. A ball over the top wasn’t dealt with and after hitting the back of George Whitaker, it fell kindly to Fawcett who lobbed the onrushing ‘keeper from 25 yards to make it all square at the break.
With tensions running high, both sides came out after half-time hoping to get on the front foot but it was Wray who flew out of the traps and in some style. A corner-kick was only half cleared by the visitors and with one swing of his right foot, Atkinson hit an unstoppable strike from the edge of the area which flew into the top right corner. Buoyed by that goal Wray didn’t look back and just 12 minutes later Atkinson was at it again, firing low past the ‘keeper with his “so-called” weaker left foot to put the home side in control. Great Eccleston tried their best to get back into the game but with the Wray defence standing firm, they failed to muster any real chances on goal, with Wayne Hutchinson saving well when called into action on what was his final appearance for the Club. Led by their inspirational captain Stephen Harrison, Wray saw out the remaining minutes to clinch victory and to secure their first League crown since 1996 in front of a fantastic crowd at Burton-in-Lonsdale.
Fulwood overcome stubborn Lancaster
Fulwood 1 – 0 Lancaster
Vjestica 85 //
Following all the excitement up in Burton-in-Lonsdale, it could be easy to forget that another big game was taking place. The battle for 3rd place continued as Fulwood and Lancaster faced off again after last weeks game, in which Fulwood ran out 3-1 winners. Fulwood still have two games left to play and are now only two points behind Lancaster. All to play for! This game was a tough affair, both teams standing strong defensively, neither giving anything away. It took until the 85th minute for the deadlock to be broken, in favour of Fulwood, Matt Vjestica netting to give them the 3 points and a big boost in the quest for third place!
