14 Oct 2017

After a disappointing home result in the reverse fixture a fortnight ago Whaley were keen to set the record straight and get back to winning way’s. The back 4 of Mason, Cripps, Golpin and Waterhouse looked solid and organised, Bamford had very few efforts on goal, keeper Lloyds Kicking was superb throughout taking pressure off the Whaley back line and putting the Bamford rear guard on the back foot.

Whaley had numerous chances to open the scoring in the first half, a lofted cross from Hodges almost converted by Tailby and another cross from Jackson which G.Howell was unable to keep down both came close. The deadlock was finally broken when a low free kick from 20 yrs by Jackson was spilled into his own net by the Bamford keeper, Half time 1-0.

After the break Bamford started quickly with periods of pressure on the right hand side at times , but we unable to create any clear cut chances on goal. Cripps rose well to several Whaley corners and Bamford struggled to cope with his aerial presence , however the ball failed to hit the net. 20 minutes into the second half Jackson pumped the ball through the Bamford back 4 and Longden running through lobbed the keeper from 20 yards. 10 minutes later Jack Howell who had pressurised the Bamford back 4 for 70 minutes was rewarded, the keeper failed to clear a through ball and Howell nicked the ball and slotted home from close range.

To their credit Bamford continued to work hard, their striker clean through on goal in the final stages produced the best tackle of the game by Cripps who made up considerable ground making a vital tackle in the dying stages to preserve a clean sheet.

This mas a much improved performance from Whaley, final score 3-0

Man of the match Alfie Hodges

Squad: Lloyd, waterhouse, golpin, cripps, mason, tailby, Jackson (1), hodges, G.Howell, J.Howell (1), Longden (1), Wilson, S.campbell, Marner