This week there were just two games to take place in the football league, with Loko facing off against Lancaster, Jason Hettrick taking his Loko side back to his old team, whilst there was a mouthwatering prospect down at Great Ecc, as the top two from last season faced off against each other and continued their rivalry.
Loko get first win of the season
Lancaster 3 – 5 Loko
Jones 26, Lewis 76, 84 // Beaumont 3, 27, Hanmer 38, 66, Edmondson 69
In the first game of the day, Loko made the short trip to Lancaster, both teams hoping to get a win in a winable game for both teams. Loko started the brighter and within 3 minutes found themselves in the lead, Beaumont firing home for them. In the 26th minute, Lancaster found themselves on level terms, Jay Jones firing them back on level terms. Howeve, it was Loko who were to have the better of the game, scoring another four goals without reply. Firstly, in the 27th minute, Beaumont netted again, making it 2-1, before a double from Glen Hanmer, getting his first and second goals of the season, in the 38th and 66th minute. Loko looked to have made sure of thee result in the 69th minute as Adan Edmondson netted their fifth goal of the game. However, Lancaster wouldn’t allow Loko to have it all their own way, Martin Lewis netting in the 76th and 84th minute to give Lancaster hope of a comeback – but it wasn’t to be and Loko recorded their first victory of the new league season!
Eccy overcome Wray challenge
Great Ecc 4 – 2 Wray
Ball 6, 11, 48, Sharples 24 // Whitfield 17, Preece 30
Great Ecc came into the game with a determination to try and firmly put away some ghosts from last season’s loss to Current League Champions Wray, whilst they were looking to improve on their recent poor run of form. Both teams started brightly, with Wray quick to close down the home team. 6mins in Great Ecc won a free kick 10 yards outside the area. Daniel Ball cleverly bent the ball low and hard around the wall into the bottom right corner of the net, leaving the keeper rooted to the spot. 1-0 (6). Great Ecc went on the attack again and were awarded a penalty after a push on a Great Ecc player. Up stepped Dan Ball to coolly slot the ball into the bottom left corner. 2-0 (11). It looked like Great Ecc were flying and were going to go on and score a third to put the game beyond doubt. Wray had other ideas! A defensive error from Great Ecc’s right back Adam Moat was pounced upon by striker David Whitfield who then scored with a great finish over the stranded keeper and in off the underside of the bar! 2-1 (17). Great Ecc continued to push and 7 mins later after some great interplay between Toby Parker and Den Pulford, the ball was played through to Jack Sharples to drive a finish across the keeper and into the bottom far corner 3-1 (24). Wray however, wouldn’t lie down and some good play down their left flank, Will Preece out paced 2 defenders to charge through and calmly place the ball past the out rushing keeper to make it 3-2 (30).
2nd half saw Great Ecc start brightly and Daniel Ball was soon scoring his hat trick after a cross come shot from the right flank flew over the reach of Wray’s keeper and into the far top corner! 4-2 (48). Wray pushed for a way back into the game and a save from Tom Evans diving full stretch low down to his left stopped Wray from pulling another goal back! A battle in the middle between Wray’s Mark Ellershaw and David Easterly, up against Eccy’s Tom Shields and Bill Gibbons saw some hefty challenges go in from both sides, but it was Great Ecc who looked the most likely to score. Dan Ball ran through knocking the ball past the diving keeper who brought him down right on the edge of the area. A yellow card later for the keeper and a free kick that came to nothing saw Great Ecc continue to probe. A great cross from Ben Clark saw Sean McCabe free to fire into an empty net, unfortunately the ball was blazed over! Another chance fell to Jack Sharples who on any other day would have rifled the ball home, but again the ball was blazed over the bar! Wray continued to pile on the pressure, but struggled for a clear outlet as Eccy’s Dan Parkinson helped to nullify Will Preece’s pace. They went close from a corner only to see the attempted header fly over the bar. Player manager Mark Ellershaw went close only to see his attempt brilliantly blocked by striker Jack Sharples doing his bit for the team! The final whistle came with Eccy edging the game with a real battling performance.
