Oxton Beavers 0 Neston Beavers 0

Happy New Year to all our readers!
Neston travelled to local rivals Oxton for their first match under flood lights this season. Having lost the home game 2-0 in early December it was another opportunity to monitor progress. From early on it was clear that both sides were evenly matched and most of the early play was in midfield where Sam Dewey and Tom Honeybourne battled well to get the ball into the Oxton half. Most of Neston's play was down the right hand side with Syd Roberts and Ben Crane getting into good positions to cross. James Fennah also had some good runs down the left. The Neston defence was well organised with Max Dutton and Chris James looking very solid in the middle. James Chester playing at right back had a very good game and regularly supported Syd and Ben in the Oxton half. The first half finished with Neston creating the best chance where a right wing cross was shot narrowly wide by Ben Crane.
The second half started with Neston on the attack and a shot by Scott Barry from a narrow angle beat the goalkeeper only to be cleared from the line giving Neston the first short corner of the game. A good shot from Sam Dewey was well saved by the keeper. Further attacks led to three more short corners. When Oxton attacked the Neston defence held firm with Alex Davies, sporting new kit!, making a number of saves (it was commented that the kit came with a no goals guarentee and would have been sent back if he let one in!) Greg Hughes on the left had a solid game and linked up well with James Fennah. Further Neston attacks could not find a way through the Oxton defence with Harry Sanguinetti and Scott getting into some good positions. The game finished scoreless which was probably a fair result.
The most promising aspect being the defence, only giving away 2 short corners and keeping their shape throughout the whole game - you will never loose a game if you don't let any goals in!
An excellent result demonstrating further improvement.
Man of the match James Chester for his best game of the season marking his winger out of the game.
Next match is at home against Preston, 12.00 start at Stanney.