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Heywood Reform 3 Footballers Inn 1

5/ 3/2008

A BLUSTERY wind and a cowfield masquerading as a football pitch combined to turn this game into a hard slog for table toppers Heywood Reform

On many occasions throughout the game, they were surprised by the fine football produced by the visitors – a team they had beaten 7-0 in the reverse fixture last September.

Heavy overnight rain saturated the sports centre pitch and from the kick-off players found it difficult to stay on their feet as the ball bobbled around.

Footballers, third bottom of the premier division, were quick to spot Reform’s early discomfort and enjoyed a spell of possession and caused the home team some concern.

Reform captain Hogarth’s bellowing vocal encouragement brought more urgency to Reform’s workrate and movement plus the opening goal.

It came in the 12th minute, Warwick finding Weatherilt who drove low to the near post for Kevin Bates to slide home his first of the season.

Reform doubled their lead six minutes later, Weatherilt slotting home his 20th goal of the season following a great run and cross by Simon Carney.

With the pitch quickly deteriorating it was clear to see several players were already struggling to cope.

Reform’s persistence, particularly from Nicholson, Reid, Hogarth, Warwick and Blackledge steadied things down, but a lack of fluency up front gave away hard won possession.

A 2-0 lead was a fair reflection of the game, Footballers Inn playing well but failing to find a finish at the sharp end.

Reform could have been forgiven for thinking the hard part had been done, but everyone must have been unprepared for what was to come in the opening five minutes of the second half.

After three minutes, Kieran McCulloch, feeling the effects of flu, was replaced by Hardy. The Reform playmaker gave his name to the referee then watched his side the ‘customary goal a game’, Pilling junior reducing the arrears for a jubilant Footballers.

A minute later, Tatton forced the ball into the net to restore Reform’s two-goal advantage – a Footballer’s Inn player seeing red after an ill-chosen remark to referee Adrian Powell.

Against 10 men with 40 minutes to go Reform should have been thinking, using the ball, crafting openings in the tiring opposition rearguard and setting up goalscoring opportunities.

Unfortunately it didn’t quite happen. Yes there were plenty of chances, but most were individually produced, but not finished.

Reform are at their best when passing the ball, working for each other and playing as a team.

The pitch was awful – it always is – but, at times, a depleted and tiring Footballers showed the way.

Even the introduction of the speedy Craig Winters couldn’t conjure up more goals for Reform and it appeared all had had enough when the final whistle sounded.

This match won’t linger in the minds of most people present, but for 16-year-old Reform player Mikey Grogan it was his first start in senior football when he entered the arena as a 78th minute substitute for Mike Weatherilt.

Not much time to shine but the future’s bright.

On Sunday, Reform are at home to Prestwich Cricket Club. Players meet Heywood Sports Centre at 9.30am.