Preston Beavers 2 Neston Beavers 4

We travelled North to Preston for the return game, the home game having been won by Preston in early January. We arrived just in time and it showed with a sluggish start. Preston were soon on the attack and were soon camped in the Neston half, with Neston defending well but unable to get the ball out. Chris Warbrick made a number of good saves but eventually the pressure told and Preston scored. More attacking by Preston, but the defence of Chris James, Max Dutton, Peter Harrison and Alex Greenhalf managed to keep Preston at bay. After about 20 minutes the Neston midfield started to get the ball with Sam Dewey, Tom Honeybourne, Syd Roberts, Charlie Palin and Frank Stoddard working well. Scott Barry and James Fennah up front being able to spend some time in the oppositions half, both had tackled back and defended with the rest of the team when the pressure was on. It was substitute Jon Lord who seemed to spark the team into action with a good run down the right leading to a free hit and short corner. A smart move at a short led to Sam Dewey equalising. Scott Barry then got past the last man and hit the post about three feet up. The game was level at half time.
By now it was raining quite heavily and Neston started the second half on the attack, some good play on the left by Charlie Palin led to Scott Barry getting in a cross shot that was defelected into the goal by a Preston player (Scott's goal). Frank Stoddard then had a good chance but could not get it past the keeper. Jon Lord ran at the Preston defence whenever he got the chance and a number of short corners were won. Two of these were hit against the post by Sam Dewey! Two further shots hit the post ( were the goals smaller in Preston? - the posts were hit 5 times!) and it seemed that we had missed our chance when a rare Preston attack led to an equaliser. Neston went on the attack and James Fennah put Scott through but the keeper came out and fouled at the top of the D. The subsequent hit was eventually turned into the goal by Scott. With time running out for Preston, Neston scored a fourth on the counter attack, Scott Barry completing his hat trick.
A great victory, showing once again the spirit of the team and the improvement made by everyone. A big thankyou to all the parents (and grandparents) who made the long trip, there were more Neston parents watching in pretty dreadful conditions than the home team. A trip back to the Preston clubhouse warmed everyone up before the trip home.
Man of the match, Jon Lord for many positive runs at the Preston defence and excellent tackling back.
Remember the presentation evening next Friday (23rd) at the club, 6.30 start.
Next weeks game will be at home to South Cheshire at Calday, we may take the opportunity to mix the Beavers and Badgers (both teams are at home) as they had quite an old team (now 6 months older) when we played them last September. I will confirm the arrangements on Friday, but please keep 12.00-3.00 free on Saturday.