Parkgate F.C. - The Steelmen

It didn’t all go Parkgate’s way however as the visitors started brightly forcing Jamie Bailey into a stunning save as early as the 2nd minute. After a break down the right by Robert Boardman he chipped a lobbed shot against the crossbar and the acrobatic Bailey denied Nathan Cartman’s effort from the rebound.

On the quarter hour mark Liversedge went in front with a well worked goal. A move down the left flank by Jermoe Wright and Alex Hallam led to a fine cross from the latter which found the onrushing David Boardman who blasted in from close range.

The early set back breathed life into the Steelmen as they immediately set about the Liversedge backline looking for an equaliser. After a good strike from distance by Danny Barlow that went narrowly wide, Parkgate equalised through winger Matt Outram. Good pressure from Nathan Forbes-Swindells forced a mistake by Simon Wood which allowed Ash Worsfold to gain possession and lay off to Kier Hannity who returned the favour to Worsfold who fired across the goalmouth for Outram to strike from 3 yards out.

The contest was now hotting up as Liversdge were the next to come close only for Bailey to save well from Robert Boardman. From then on though it was all Parkgate with Worsfold, Griffin, Forbes-Swindells and Outram all coming close before the end of the half.

During the interval Doug Shelley made a couple of changes giving midfielder Mitch Rose his debut and introducing Janni Lipka into the game.

Only moments into the second period a cross from the ever dangerous Matt Outram found Forbes-Swindells who saw his first time shot parried well by Daniel Knight in goal. Parkgate were really in control now and a rasping 25 yard shot from Mitch Rose flew just wide of the post.

On 52 minutes a teasing free kick from Danny Cardwell found Matt Griffin at the back post who’s headed goalbound effort was cleared off the line by Wright.

With Liversedge restricted to the occasional counter attack which the Parkgate rearguard soaked up relatively easily, the Steelmen were looking more and more threatening with each attack. On the hour, good feet from Janni Lipka gave himself the space required to unleash a dipping, curling effort that went agonisingly wide of Knight’s right hand post.

Five minutes later the deadlock was broken. After a cross was half cleared, Forbes-Swindells showed good control and poise to hit a superb strike from 25 yards which delighted the majority of the 111 in attendace. Two minutes later more good work on the left flank by Matt Outram found Forbes-Swindells who this time applied patient composure to thread the ball through a crowded box into the bottom corner for his 25th goal of the season.

Liversedge looked to get back into to the game but a well organised defence marshalled by Will Senior and Matt Griffin meant the West Yorkshire team had to settle for speculative efforts from long range which Bailey comfortably dealt with.

After 82 minutes Forbes-Swindells nearly bagged a spectacular hat-trick with a free-kick that deceived everyone and struck the post.

The game was wrapped up in injury time as Worsfold gathered up a rebound from a Hannity shot and neatly fed it back to the midfielder who hit a lovely finish into the top corner to put the gloss on a great second half performance from the Steelmen.

Doug Shelley will be looking for more of the same on Saturday (28th) as Parkgate travel to Barton Town in the NCEL Premier Division. Kick off is at 3pm.



TEAMS

PARKGATE

Jamie Bailey, Danny Major (Mitch Rose ’45), Matt Griffin ©, Matt Outram, Danny Barlow (Janni Lipka ’45), Will Senior, Nicky Darker, Nathan Forbes-Swindells, Danny Cardwell (Robert Ludlam ’75), Kier Hannity, Ashley Worsfold,

SUBS NOT USED, Chris Wood, Joe Leesley


LIVERSEDGE

Daniel Knight, Simon Wood, Jerome White, Jake Lawler, Jamie Riordan, James Hurtley (Phillip Mitchell ’55), Robert Boardman (Matthew Thompson ’60), Damien Hopkins ©, David Boardman, Nathan Cartman, Alex Hallam (Daniel Cooper ’77)

SUBS NOT USED, Jamie Wasley, Lee Ashforth

ATTENDANCE 111