Match of the week: St Annes (Under-15s) 2 Thornton Cleveleys 12
No mercy for brave St Annes
THORNTON Cleveleys Under-15s’ bid for a second successive league title is back on track and St Annes were unfortunate to find them in merciless mood.
Having followed four straight wins in the Domino division with defeats against Poulton and Spirit of Youth, Thornton were determined to get back to winning ways – especially as a Lancashire FA Cup exit at the hands of Tottington made it three straight defeats.
It all meant that a struggling St Annes side who arrived at Blackpool Road North with only 10 players were never going to be shown any sympathy.
With prolific striker Liam McDonald leading the way with four goals, there were also two apiece for Jay Lane and Tim Wild, with Will Paget, Ben Cox, Steven Miller and Liam Wynn also on target.
Wynn’s was the pick of the goals, a rocket header from a corner by Lane.
St Annes manager Mike Drummonnd had hoped to have the rare luxury of 13 available players but late withdrawals left them short of a full complement and with no chance to make any subsitutions.
It was unfortunately a familiar story, and when a side is struggling and short on confidence a good start is vital. St Annes could not manage one, conceding twice in the first two minutes.
Their manager Mike Drummond could at least take heart from his side’s gutsy and tireless performance.
He said: “Some of them kept going for the full 80 minutes and were rewarded with two good goals.”
The consolation goals came in the second half, both scored byYiannis Verenakis. He finished his first clinically as the ball fell to him in the penalty area, then added a second right at the death, capitalising on good work by Jack Atherton.
Unlke his St Annes counterpart, Thornton Cleveleys assistant manager Steve Schofield was able to ring the changes. Even goalkeeper Billy Law got in on the outfield action and almost got on the scoresheet himself, only to have an effort ruled offside.
Schofield said: “I think this is a better side than won the title last season, so I’m hoping for a title challenge.”
Those who impressed for St Annes included Alex Yates, who played most of the game with a damaged toe and bravely returned to the action after a short spell on the sidelines, which reduced his side to nine for a while.
Dan Palmer was outstanding in the midfield, while Nathan Campbell and Joe McKillion earned their stripes in defence.
Manager Drummond added: “With a full compliment we would have given Thornton a better game, as we would with most teams. But we have advertised through The Gazette for players and a manager, so hopefully there is light at the end of the tunnel.”
THE MANAGERS’ MATCH VERDICT
Steve Schofield (Thornton Cleveleys)
Credit to St Annes – they never gave up, as was proved by the fact that they scored with the last kick of the game. But we were just too strong and it was a win we really needed. I think we can be there or thereabouts come the end of the season.
Mike Drummond (St Annes)
We were short of players, which has been the story of our season. Thornton were just too strong for us. We’ve conceded early goals in the last few games and so it has been an uphill struggle. But I was impressed by the way we battled on until the end and there were some impressive performances.
THE MEN OF THE MATCH
Dan Palmer (St Annes)
The central midfielder battled on throughout, winning more than his fair share of tackles and refusing to allow his head to drop
Jake Wright (Thornton Cleveleys)
The dominant sweeper did not put a foot wrong and proved that keeping everything simple is often the best tactic.
GET A GRIP: Joe McKillion (left) was one of the outstanding players for St Annes
ST ANNES (from left): Back row: Tom Glover, Yiannis Verenakis, Nathan Campbell, Kynan Dawes, Joe McKillion; front row, Alex Yates, Luke Harris, Will Barclay, Jack Atherton and Dan Palmer
THORNTON CLEVELEYS (from left): Back row, Billy Law, Jake Wright, Sam Johnson, Lewis Rogerson, Louis Schofield, Jay Holland, Steven Miller, Liam Wynn; front row, Will Paget, Tim Wild, Liam MacDonald, Ben Cox and Richard Lloyd
EYE FOR GOAL: Jay Holland powers forward for Thornton Cleveleys
BALANCING ACT: Thornton Cleveleys’ Steven Miller steadies himself to go for goal
STRIKE POWER: Liam Wynn scored the goal of the game for the winners
DOUBLING UP: Yiannis Verenakis scored twice for St Annes
BEST MAN: St Annes’ star player Richard Lloyd
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