REPORT: Litherland Remyca 1-2 Squires Gate

Squires Gate picked up a third straight victory on the road beating league new comers Litherland Remyca 2-1 on Saturday afternoon.

Goals from Riccardo Egidi and James Boyd in the first 30 minutes rounded of a comfortable first 45 minutes for Gate who controlled possession and should have extended their lead several times in the opening half.

Manager Andy Clarkson welcomed in midfielder Joey Mullen into the back four in place of Adam Sumner who was unavailable for this game. He started alongside Dave Rossall who also returned to the side in place of Ben Reader who started his first of a two game suspension for his Red Card in last Saturday's win at Runcorn Town. New signing Sam Staunton-Turner started from the bench after his arrival from Kendal Town, whilst Ryan Riley was available again also on the bench.

Gate had the first chance of the game after a sustained spell of possession. Playing through midfield the move ended with James Boyd shooting wide from the edge of the box.

The homeside felt aggrieved after nine minutes when they had calls for a penalty turned away. Ben Fletcher going for the ball pulled away his hands at the feet of the striker who went down without any contact, the referee showing a yellow card for a dive.

Ric Seear went close for Gate after 15 minutes. The original corner was cleared by the homeside before Gate won the ball back and crossed to Seear but his looping header was over the bar.

Seear's striker partner, Riccardo Egidi had the next chance but after rolling the ball past the keeper to striker hit the post from a tight angle. Riccardo didn't have to wait long for his second opportunity and this time the striker made it count. The big man held of his man as he burst into the box before slotting the ball under the keeper.

A quick fire second goal came for Gate when James Boyd scored his second in two games. Ric Seear's original shot was saved but the keeper parried the ball into the late arriving Boyd who volleyed the ball in for 2-0.

Gate were let off just before the break when Remyca had two good opportunities to grab a goal back. The first came when the ball was played low across the box where a Remyca man was waiting, but he fired over the bar from inside the six yard box. Then Ben Fletcher, who had a quiet first half, reacted quickly to get down low and save to his left.

Half time: Litherland Remyca 0-2 Squires Gate

The homeside opening the scoring early in the second half in controversial circumstances. Gate felt that both Ben Fletcher and Dave Rossall were fouled in the build up as Warren Jevons rolled the ball into the empty net.

Remyca had the ball in the back of the net after 75 minutes but the goal was ruled offside by the official.

The homeside were reduced to ten men with seven minutes left when Gate were on the break looking for a fourth goal. Ric Seear was making ground down the left hand side when a bad tackle from behind took him down and reduced the homeside to ten men.

Gate held on and defended well despite late pressure from the homeside. The win moves Gate upto 10th place in the league with two games in hand on Charnock Richard who a place below but level on points.

Andy Clarkson's side finally return to Blackpool next Saturday when we host Ashton Athletic.

Gate: Fletcher, Gray, Mullen, Rossall, Bamba, Charnley, Booth, Ing, Boyd, Seear, Egidi. Subs: Riley, Staunton-Turner, Clarkson.

Report by Mark Ashmore