West Lancashire Premier Division
Coppull United FC travelled to Southport Hesketh again deprived of key players and a makeshift side looked to get their first points of the season on board. Matters weren’t helped when on the day of the game Ben Morris (ill) and Martin Kershaw (stuck at work) further hindered team selection.
Coppull started with Joe Leather in goal, a back 4 of Cam Culshaw, Cam Murphy, Sam Bolton and Dylan Bennett. In midfield it was Adam Pickstock, Dave Parker in centre midfield and they were flanked by Jimmy Mciver on the right and Nathan Bibby on the left. Up top Alessio Degrassi partnered Jordan Wilson. The substitutes bench contained Nat Lindley….
The first half started well for Coppull who were immediately on the front foot. Degrassi missed a good chance on 3 minutes when well placed and then on 5 minutes he played in Jordan Wilson and his shot was saved by the keeper’s feet. The elusive goal did come however when good work from McIver on the right found Degrassi at the back post and he tapped home. Shortly after this Wilson pulled up lame and Coppull replaced him with Nat Lindley who himself was carrying a knock. Coppull looked comfortable however as per the games earlier in the season a defensive calamity resulted in Southport winning a penalty. Two missed clearances resulted in the Southport midfielder running clear and he was adjudged to have been impeded in the area and the penalty was despatched confidently. What has been missing in previous games is a positive reaction and to their credit that is exactly what happened. A Bibby freekick found Sam Bolton at the back post and his header back across goal was met by Adam Pickstock who powered home a header of his own. Half time and Coppull led 2-1.
The second half lacked a lot of quality and chanced were few and far between. Both keepers had very little to do however Coppull managed to add another goal to their tally when Bibby fed Lindley who finished superbly at the near post on his left foot. Coppull held strong and dealt with everything Southport through at them and saw the second half out with relative ease. A much needed and welcome 3 points with a full time score of 3-1 to Coppull United FC.
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