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Stone ooze class

3/ 4/2008

ANOTHER weekend of terrible weather, but another display of outstanding football saw Stonemasons draw against a Wardle Reserves outfit bolstered by first team players, at Heywood Sports Centre on Saturday.

The hosts opted to play against the strong wind in the first half and their superb passing game was equal to the task.

Davies and Wilsher in the centre of midfield bossed the game, with fine attacking football and feeding Goodall and Carr on the flanks. They in turn linked up well with strikers Martyn Smith and John McHale who caused havoc in the Wardle defence.

The visitors tried to hit back on the counter-attack but were met by the stern defence of Hughes, Penrose, Orman and David Flanagan.

On the half-hour mark, Wardle broke and it needed a fantastic recovery and tackle from fullback Mark Hughes to prevent a goal.

Stonemasons hit straight back with a fine attack on the fast deteriorating pitch. Davies fed the ball to strike partner Smith who set up McHale for a strike on goal. His effort was half blocked and Goodall’s determination saw him win a tackle against the odds to set up another chance for McHale. This time he made no mistake, unleashing a powerful shot which gave the keeper no chance.

The home team looked to have increased their lead when Stephen Penrose headed home a corner, but the referee ruled it out.

Five minutes into the second half, Wardle levelled the scores, their striker prodding home following a goalmouth scramble.

Stonemasons brought on Kirk Orman on the left wing and he was soon in the thick of the action with his surging runs.

With 15 minutes to go, the home team were awarded a free kick 30 yards from goal and captain Adam Davies let rip with a stunning shot past the helpless keeper.

Wardle refused to lie down and threw everything into attack. And, in the 88th minute, they were rewarded when a half clearance , pumped back into the penalty box, looped over Taylor in the Stonemasons goal.

The Heywood side, though, showed they have matured into a formidable team and are ready to take on the best in the league.

Man of the match was McHale who never stopped running for the cause.