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Reform facing fixture pile-up

17/ 4/2008

THE first of Reform’s night matches took place last Thursday against PSV Hangover at Goshen Park.

Prolonged rain throughout the day made the pitch heavy and unpredictable but a strong Reform side adapted well to the conditions to overpower their hosts and complete an emphatic win.

Goals from Mike Weatherilt, Simon Carney and Craig Winter soon put Reform in charge and allowed managers McCulloch and Grogan to rest players - rotation will certainly be essential if the Heywood team are to complete the season successfully.

Kieran McCulloch and Chris Nuttall were introduced for the second half – the latter welcomed back for his first game for some time quickly showing his class.

The visitors’ workrate was excellent. Warwick, Tatton, Nicholson and Tinker were solid at the back, while McCulloch, Hogarth Winter and Bates in midfield were forever mobile. And Carney, Weatherilt and Nuttall were lethal in attack.

The overall fitness of the Heywood outfit plus the undoubted quality wore down PSV and further goals followed from Weatherilt, Nuttall and Tinker, while Bates drove home Reform’s best of the night. to round off a superb move that was a joy to watch and a contender for goal of the season.

Reform were unable to keep the momentum going last Sunday morning as the Millennium Cup semi-final against Crumpsall Town was postponed, the venue Prestwich Heys being waterlogged.

The postponement creates more problems clubs and league officials as the Millennium Cup final is scheduled for Sunday at Gigg Lane.

In an effort to keep to that date the Bury and SFL management committee have announced that tonight’s Challenge Cup semi-final against Cheers will be replaced by the Millennium Cup semi-final at Prestwich Heys, kick-off 6.30pm.

If the Prestwich pitch is unfit the Gigg Lane final on Sunday will be off.