This weekend there were two league games that took place in the SportsReach football league, a repeat of last weekends games. Quernmore faced Loko and Wray faced Great Ecc, with both away teams the home teams this week. Unfortunately Moorlands vs. Fulwood was unable to be played this weekend. Both games that took place were very good and tight games though perhaps not reflected on the score sheets.
Quernmore 3 – 5 Loko
Luxton 70, Sudell 80, Mustapha 88 // Grimes 11, Edmondson 18, 85, Richardson 19, Own goal 46
Before the game, Tom Whitaker shared with us and used a carabiner to illustrate his point. He shared how he went to Go Ape, and despite being terrified of heights, he put his faith in the carabiner to keep him safe. And it did so. He then went on to share how we all have faith in gravity, even though we can’t touch, feel, taste or smell it. He also shared how as much as there are fingertips of his creation all around the earth, there are also signs of law and order throughout creation. Tom shared that he wasn’t trying to convince people of there being a God, but that people need to put their faith and trust in the Saviour.
Moving into the game, Quernmore were hoping for another result similar to last week and started strongly, trying to get an early goal. However, it was to no avail and no early goal came. Loko grew into the game and began to cause problems of their own, troubling the Quernmore line. Similar to last week, Loko were the first side to score, scoring in the 11th minute through Kane Grimes. Loko sent a corner into the box and it was fired home through Grimes. 1-0. Soon after that, Loko doubled their advantage, from a corner again. The ball was sent into the box once more, but this time, Adan Edmondson fire home for Loko. 2-0. Quernmore were incredibly frustrated with the two goals and things soon got worse. Less than a minute later, another corner was Quernmore’s downfall again. This time, a short corner was played out and into the box, with Steven Richardson getting on the end of it to make it 3-0 within 9 minutes. Quernmore were shell shocked at these 3 goals putting them down, especially after the performance last week. Quernmore continued to attack and tried to find a way through, but to no avail. They really needed a goal before half time to stand a chance of getting back into the game, but that was not forthcoming and they couldn’t find a way through the defence of Loko, strengthened by Martin Lewis coming into the side. Half time came and it was 3-0 to Loko. What a turnaround from last week!
Moving into the second half, Quernmore made some tactical changes, altering their formation and making a number of subs, in the hope of bringing themselves back into the game. However, that was to no avail as moments after the restart, another corner was Quernmore’s undoing. The ball was played into the box by Brad Rodwell and was turned into the net by an unfortunate Quernmore player. 4-0 in the 46th minute. Loko were in dreamland! Both sides continued to work hard and Quernmore had a number of opportunities but they could not get the ball into the net, hitting the bar, the keeper and putting it wide. It was just one of those days! In the 70th minute, Quernmore found the breakthrough and managed to get a goal back through Tom Luxton, after a fabulous lofted ball from Will Marsden. 10 minutes later, Quernmore got another goal, this time through Jonny Sudell, with another fine headed effort. 4-2. Surely Quernmore couldn’t do the impossible and claw back a draw? The short answer was no. 5 minutes later, Loko put paid to any hope of a comeback through Adan Edmonson, after good work from Brad Rodwell in the midfield. That was not to be it for goals this week though, as Tobi Musapha netted for the third game running in the 88th minute. Quernmore were within touching distance of causing a nail biting finish but had left themselves with too much to do with so little time left. It ended 5-3 to Loko. A great result for them, considering last weekends result.
Wray 0 – 4 Great Ecc
// Ball 19, 66, Sharples 55, Parker 69
Following on from last week, Great Ecc were confident of victory again against a stubborn Wray side. The first half was much like last weeks game, with both sides working hard in the first half, with it being very close between the sides. Once again though, Great Ecc had the better of it and went into half time one goal up, though there was an argument 0-0 at half time would have been a fair reflection of the balance of the game. Ball fired home in the 19th minute to give Great Ecc the lead. Moving into the second half and Great Ecc began to exert their dominance, scoring three quick goals to compound their lead. The goal of the game came through Jack Sharples, who pounced on a mistake by defender Dawson to fire a 30 plus yard shot over the head of keeper Gorst and into the net. Great finish! 10 minutes later, Ball added another to his tally, firing home to make it 3-0. Finally, the scoring was complete 3 minutes later as Parker go in on the act and netted for Great Ecc. A comprehensive win, albiet not as emphatic as last week, though just as closely fought! Both sides will look forward to different opposition this weekend, as Wray face Moorlands, whilst Great Ecc welcome Loko to Boundary Park. Some good games coming up!