Gate:
Eccles; Southern, Higham, Westwood (C), Hanslip, Orr; Riley, Webster; Boyd, Ing, Feeney
Subs :
Garrett; Staunton-Turner; Cusani; Ridings, Faller; Pollard
Scorers:
Higham 82'

Next Up
Gate will start the Prestwich Heys Invitational Tournament against Charnock Richard. This game will be behind closed doors.

Reported by James Ashton
Gate record a draw in their first match of 2021 against a solid Padiham side.

After 100 days away, Gate returned to action today to host fellow NWCFL side Padiham in a friendly at the Brian Addison Stadium.

Luke Evans named a familiar squad for the game, with Dean Ing & Kieran Feeney leading the line and Josh Westwood captaining the side in the centre of defence.

The first effort of the game went Gate’s way, with young midfielder Oli Orr firing over from the edge of the area after good hold-up play from Feeney. Padiham had their first chance of the game just six minutes later, but Gate ‘keeper Danny Eccles made a comfortable save.

Gate were on top in the early proceedings, with Ryan Riley proving a threat on the right wing. A free kick from Riley on 21 minutes fell to James Boyd who had a low strike well held by the Padiham goalkeeper. Riley then had appeals for a penalty waved away by the referee just two minutes later.

Orr had another half-chance on 26 minutes, the young midfielder spinned superbly behind the Padiham defence but his shot was again well saved.

Ing had the best chance of the half for Gate on 28 minutes. The striker muscled his way through the backline but could only poke wide from an admittedly tight angle. Ing then had another oppurtunity on 35 minutes, latching onto a clearence from Rob Hanslip but the shot was sliced well off target..

Half Time – Squires Gate 0-0 Padiham

Luke Evans made three changes at the break, introducing Matty Garrett, Sam Staunton-Turner and Josh Pollard into the game.

First half substitute Marcus Cusani had an opportunity to break in behind but his touch let him down at the vital moment. James Boyd then had an effort from the edge of the area well held after well worked corner routine.

A quiet 10 minutes followed, but Gate sprung into life on the hour mark with Riley leading a dangerous counter attack. The eventual cross from Jacob Ridings was tipped over the bar by the goalkeeper, with Oliver Southern heading over from the resulting corner.

Padiham thought they had the lead on 68 minutes when the ball was played in behind the Gate defence, but the flag was up before the ball hit the net. The visitors had another chance on 73 minutes, with a dangerous ball fizzed across the Gate goal somehow going untouched.

Cusani continued to threaten for Gate though, weaving through the Padiham defence but having a low drive held by the goalkeeper. He then broke in behind once again, but this time lost his balance.

Gate finally broke the deadlock on 82 minutes, as the dangerous Cusani played a searching ball in behind the defence. Jake Higham latched onto the pass and finished calmly into the far corner to give Luke Evans’ men the lead.

Just as Gate thought they had secured victory, the visitors snatched an equaliser with the last play of the game. An inswinging corner caused havoc in the area and the ball was bundled over the line to secure a late draw for Padiham.

Full time: Gate 1-1 Padiham

A solid return to action for Gate, who showed many positive signs agaisnt a solid Padiham outfit.