Away league match played on 12 January 2014.
Kicked off at 12:30 PM
APPLEY BRIDGE SUFFER SHARK ATTACK
Hindley Sharks travelled to local Wigan League rivals Appley Bridge, and came away with an emphatic 5-2 win.
The Home team, tipped by many pre-season as league favourites, where never allowed to settle into the game as the sharks took control them from minute one.
With barely 5 minutes on the clock, the early onslaught from the Sharks led to the games opening goal, when right winger Rhys L weaved his way into the box and slotted home the opener. With Appley Bridge rocked, the Sharks began to twist the knife and stepped up their game.
The midfield 4 of Chris L, Declan C, Kian L, and Rhys L, bossed the central exchanges, whilst the regimented back 4 of Joel F, Robert M, Liam D, and Antony W, locked out the few attacks that Appley Bridge were allowed to make.
The second half began in very much the same way as the first with Sharks on the attack. On 39 minutes, hard working striker Robbie B showed just how clinical he can be as he made it 2-0 to the visitors. Harrison D was unlucky not to make 3 shortly after as he had several attempts pushed wide by the defence. Rhys L, who was a constant thorn in the Appley Bridge side all afternoon with his punishing runs, was then back on the score sheet, when a fine run from Robert M that left Rhys L with a simple slot in (sweaty) to make it 3-0.
Appley Bridge then showed signs of a fight back as they hit back at the sharks with goals on 51 mins, and 54 mins, but the Sharks stood tall and dug in, with Goalkeeper James ‘Bugsey’ B showing why he’s so highly rated with a string of outstanding saves.
The superiority and class of the Sharks was soon back in evidence as the skill and finesse of Alex M led to the live wire Robert M going on a run that saw him dance through several would be tacklers to put the Sharks 4-2 in front.
Declan C then settled of the nerves of the away support as his fine finish put the game to bed for the Sharks.
Daniel R, Jack F, & Thomas C then came on to bolster the Sharks for the final quarter of the game, and see them home as convincing 5-2 winners.
It was once again fantastic all round team effort from all players 1 to 17. On a day that the man of the match award was deserved by several, two players, Robert M and Kian L couldn't be split for the their outstanding contributions to a fantastic game.
After the game Head coach Dave Barrow enthused “the ultimate solidity of the team made for an explosive performance that left Appley Bridge wanting, we showed no mercy!!”
(Jason Lawton)
