Hoole 2nds gained their 4th point of the season following a thrilling encounter at The Bridge in Apply Bridge this weekend, as 16 year old Keaton Nuttall bagged a hat trick on his debut.
Despite the score line, both teams were evenly matched throughout the whole game, but it is Hoole who will be more disappointed after losing a 5-4 lead in the 89th Min.
The 2nds welcome back Dan Case from his break and managers Taylor and Helm handed a debut to 16 year old Keaton Nuttall. Despite a cagy opening 10 minuets, Hoole went 1-0 down after an opposition error allowed Apply to go 1-0 up. Hoole weren’t behind for long and equalised when Dave Whittle equalised after engineering his own assist. Whittle, who was playing on the wing this week as the 2nds reverted back to a flat 4-4-2 was getting much joy down the flank against a poor Apply Bridge right back. A ball going over the top looked like it was going out of play before Whittle chased down the ball, cut inside, and beat a man before slotting home via a deflection to make it 1-1.
Hoole then took the lead shortly after when some fine chasing down from Andy Helm resulted in the ball landing at Keaton Nuttall’s feet. The striker 23 mins into his Hoole debut. Took a touch, released the ball out of his feet, before whipping a left foot shot into the opposition goal! In a game littered with goals, this one was by far the best effort. The little striker making no mistake to put Hoole in the lead.
With the game ebbing and flowing, the game changed again 10 mins later when the Apply Bridge striker beat the Hoole off side trap to equalise 2-2.
Hoole took the lead again as Keaton, who was starting to run riot with nutmegs and good touches put Hoole 3-2 up after a fine run, dummy finish before slotting into the Apply goal with his left foot.
Apply came back once more and again equalised following a series of corners resulted in a drilled ball across the box before being slammed home from 8 yards to make it 3-3
Hoole came into half time 4-3 up when Dave Whittle broke free before pulling wide to slam home a finish in an open goal. His 4th goal in 3 games.
Half time came and manager Taylor seamed relatively happy. Aiden was introduced for Andy Helm in a move that saw Dave Whittle start the 2nd half up top. The 2nd half started without the pace of the first half and both teams were beginning to show tiredness, yet it was Apply who scored first in the 2nd half as they pulled a goal back to make it 4-4 in the 60th min.
With the game finally balanced Hoole thought they had done enough get the 3 points when some good work from Luke Bennion set Keaton on his way, the striker grabbing a deserved hat-trick, after beating a man and slotting home.
With the game fizzling out, Hoole thought the game was won , yet the game was not finished yet when in the 88th min. Keeper George Roe spilled a routine shot before the striker pulled the rebound back for the opposing striker to make it 5-5. A thrilling end to a trilling game!
Manager Paul Taylor said the following after the game.
“We had a new back line and we were switching back to a 4-4-2 and with a new CB partnership, so we wasn’t going to instantly gel. By the end of the game we looked more solid at the back. We played some good football at times and passed the ball well. It was a very open game, and for us Keaton made the difference aided by Whittles goals and continued hard work throughout. In the heat it was hard work, and I was disappointed to concede the equaliser in the last minuet, but there were lots of positives for sure.
MOM:
Keaton Nuttall - Hat Trick on his debuet
Did Denise Attend?
No!
Next up for the for the 2nds:
New Longton Rsvs (Away) Wednesday 26th Aug - 18:15 kick off
