6.15pm 23 April 2013
Warrington & District League, Division One
Widnes Parklands 1 Burtonwood Albion 0 (att 84)
Not my intended destination, but for the second time in three weeks Connahs Quay Town's inability to muster 11 players for a Welsh Alliance away game left me heading instead for "plan B".
Tonight's alternative was probably a better game than Greenfield v Connahs Quay anyway, being in effect a title decider in the Warrington and District League's second tier.
Parklands headed the table going into the match and knew that victory, in what was their final league game, would given them an unassailable lead. But any other result would allow second place Burtonwood to overtake them in their final matches.
Not surprisingly the game was tight. Both teams defended well, but chances were created at both ends thanks to some good quality football. Burtonwood created most of the opportunities, but when clear chances came they failed to take them.
At the other end the visitors' keeper made some good saves, and one brilliant save, to deny Parklands when they threatened.
The game's only goal, after 65 minutes, was surprisingly simple. A long ball caught out the Burtonwood defence, and a fine finish sent the ball over the advancing keeper, and across the line despite a chasing defender's effort to keep it out.
The result was harsh on Burtonwood, who on the balance of play deserved a least a draw which would have kept their title hopes alive. The one bright sport for their evening was that third place Halebank were held to a draw, and so Burtonwood are guaranteed runners-up spot.
Parklands is, on tonight's evidence, a busy sports and social club. The football pitch was roped off along the clubhouse side touchline, while the centre section of the far touchline, where Burtonwood's fans gathered, was also roped.
Warrington & District League, Division One
Widnes Parklands 1 Burtonwood Albion 0 (att 84)
Not my intended destination, but for the second time in three weeks Connahs Quay Town's inability to muster 11 players for a Welsh Alliance away game left me heading instead for "plan B".
Tonight's alternative was probably a better game than Greenfield v Connahs Quay anyway, being in effect a title decider in the Warrington and District League's second tier.
Parklands headed the table going into the match and knew that victory, in what was their final league game, would given them an unassailable lead. But any other result would allow second place Burtonwood to overtake them in their final matches.
Not surprisingly the game was tight. Both teams defended well, but chances were created at both ends thanks to some good quality football. Burtonwood created most of the opportunities, but when clear chances came they failed to take them.
At the other end the visitors' keeper made some good saves, and one brilliant save, to deny Parklands when they threatened.
The game's only goal, after 65 minutes, was surprisingly simple. A long ball caught out the Burtonwood defence, and a fine finish sent the ball over the advancing keeper, and across the line despite a chasing defender's effort to keep it out.
The result was harsh on Burtonwood, who on the balance of play deserved a least a draw which would have kept their title hopes alive. The one bright sport for their evening was that third place Halebank were held to a draw, and so Burtonwood are guaranteed runners-up spot.
Parklands is, on tonight's evidence, a busy sports and social club. The football pitch was roped off along the clubhouse side touchline, while the centre section of the far touchline, where Burtonwood's fans gathered, was also roped.
Nice review. Cheers mate. We were disappointed not to win the game, as we felt we deserved at least a point like you said. We will meet again in the premier division next year... and we will hopefully come out on top like we did earlier in the season.
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