14/08/2018

Although Egerton set-up boldly in an attempt to play out from the back they did look shaky in the first twenty minutes and perhaps Whaley will learn in future to pressure these situations and take more advantage when the chance arises. As it was the home side did take the lead when a Tattersall clearance was gathered by Leadbetter, his early cross found the Broome who caressed the ball home! It looked like Whaley thought this might be a comfortable evening as they appeared to relax and allow a very good footballing side the space they needed to get straight back into the game when Yussuf went clear through to lob the advancing Tattersall. Egerton’s midfield three in particular looked to be significantly fitter than their Whaley counterparts who struggled to get a grip of them, however Whaley still created chances and a Gilbride cross was headed wide by Burgess just before the braek.

The second half saw Whaley start the better with trialist Hodginkson making his first appearance and looking like he meant business as he chased down the Egerton backline and linked well with young O’Donnell. For all Whaley’s hard work it was visiting centre midfield James Thorn’s wonder strike from 30 yards with hardly any back lift that put the visitors in front.

Now chasing the game Whaley created more chances though Egerton still had the majority of possession. Heading opportunities fell to Sutton, Broome & Leadbetter; a couple of goal mouth scrambles followed by an open goal miss started Whaley to thinking it might not be their day particularly as both Gilbride & Leadbetter had one on ones saved by Egerton’s McGlenaghon. Egerton had a lot more possession but Whaley deserved a point on chances alone.

J Tattersal; W Bailey; B Sutton (c); D Turner; J Kay; J Burgess; J Drayson; J Broome (1); D Gilbride; S Leadbetter; J O’Donnell

D Connell; A Hodgkinson; J Gemmell