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Quilligans trvalled to Thornton again to see if they could attain the solitary point they required to lift the BFSFA Premier League title for a third time in as many seasons.
Quilligans started brightly and nearly found the net within minutes of the kick-off. Catlow found Spedding lurking in the 6 yard area who headed against the bar, before being flagged offiside.
Moments later though Catlow and Spedding combined well agian, with the former outpacing the Red Rose defence to slot home.
Red Rose were getting plenty of purchase down the flanks but couldn't make it count until 15 minutes were on the clock. Quilligans were left 1 against 2 at the back, the ball being squared across the area and rifled home by Dane England.
Catlow nearly restored parity when his curling effort flew just over.
Half-time 1-1.
With the wind against them, Quilligans had the first chance of note of the second half when Cook headed against the bar from a Spedding cross.
Clowes then kept the scores level when he superbly tipped round a Red Rose effort. Quilligans responded with a long range effort whch the Red Rose keeper gathered at the second attempt.
The injured Bracewell was replaced by Swallow on 58 minutes. Ioannou then forced another smart save from the Red Rose keeper.
Clowes again came to Quilligans rescue with a second top drawer save to keep the score at 1-1.
Youth prodigy Douthwaite replaced Spedding on 72 minutes, and almost immediately caused Red Rose problems with his pace.
Quilligans kept searching for a winner and should have got it when Palmer could only fire staright at the keeper after good work by Cook and Nuttall.
Ioannou then rifled in a great ball across the face of the Red Rose goal after a pacy run upfield, but no-one was able to get the final touch that was required.
Quilligans then had a cast iron penalty turned down for a blatant handball in the area, however all the referee gave was a corner. Red Rose then had their own shout for a penalty, but again this was waved away by the referee.
Ioannou again forced a decent save from the Red Rose keeper, but neither side could find the net a second time.
Full-time 1-1.
A fairly scrappy affair, but there were some noteable performances, especially from Clowes, who made 2 top drawer saves to keep the score level.
Team
Clowes, Brooks, Bracewell (Swallow 58), Ioannou, Cook, Nuttall, Pearson, Boal, Palmer, Catlow, Spedding (Douthwaite 72).
Scorers
Catlow 5
Substitutes
Swallow Moore, Douthwaite. |
