After a stressful week trying to put a team together, Andy Parky's much changed Oswaldtwistle Immanuel side came away comfortable winners at a sunny Pleasington.
The Immanuel injury curse had struck again with Stephen Mooring missing out as well as Daniel Riding missing out due to his wife's labour. Parky's 'no sunday births' rule clearly being ignored. This led to a start for Andy MacDonald on the right side of midfield. The versatile MacDonald proving a real asset with his ability to play in a variety of positions. There were also places on the bench for Joel Gaskill and last week's manager, Matt Hodgkiss.
After last Sunday's game, Parky decided that it was easier to watch and report on the match if you are actually there and hoped his attendance would inspire a good performance from his team.
Things couldn't have started better. 5 minutes were on the clock when James Leech's long throw was laid off by Tom Dillon for John Spencer to continue his good goalscoring form by placing it perfectly past the keeper into the back of the net.
2 minutes later the lead was doubled. Tom Dillon again laying off for Simon Hodgkiss to curl wonderfully into the top corner to make it 2-0. 7 minutes gone and surely the game was in the bag.
But that's not how this Immanuel side do things. Despite the good playing surface, Immanuel seemed to forget how to pass and the poor Rishton Rangers side started to have some joy and on a few occasions the defence had to stand strong. Tyrone Archer, in particular, putting in another solid performance at left back.
There were still opportunities for Immanuel to get forward though, Tony Brereton rolling back the years to go on a mazy run before being flattened with a clumsy challenge. It was no more than he deserved after taking several touches too many.
One thing that Oswaldtwistle Immanuel are known for is injuries, another is controversy. This week it came on 34 as James Leech was fed just inside the edge of the box and as he was about to strike he was flattened with a challenge from behind. Surely a penalty. But the referee did not see it that way. The Immanuel players were livid as Parky looked on with an almost fatherly concern for his forward. The ginger Pele's health clearly more important than any penalty.
To add insult to injury Rishton Rangers broke up field and Tony Brereton clumsily tried to tackle in his own box and the forward needed little encouragement to go down. Opinion was divided as to whether or not a penalty should have been given. But it was and despite Matt Cook saving the first attempt he was unfortunate that it fell back to the penalty taker who made no mistake from the rebound.
This woke Immanuel back up. 5 minutes later, Spencer came deep to collect the ball before turning and playing a perfect ball over the top for James Leech to run on to and do what he does. Score goals. 3-1 at half time.
The second half began in scrappy fashion with neither team being able to get the ball down and put together any significant changes. Parky brought on Joel Gaskill for his debut, replacing Andy MacDonald after 49 minutes. It had a positive effect, the fresh legs getting some joy down the right hand side and on 57 minutes the lead was extended. Simon Hodgkiss bagged his second after more good play from John Spencer. The little fellas linking up well again. Meanwhile, another little fella, Danny Riding, was watching his wife give birth to a little girl. Ella Ray was born weighing 6lb 3oz, approximately twice the weight of the father and early reports suggest she only has a better left foot as well.
After 63 minutes the win was definitely in the bag. Simon Hodgkiss completing his hat trick and sealing another man of the match award with a well struck goal from an excellent ball from Nathan Berry. Immanuel were home and dry.
There were opportunities for more but it wasn't to be. Toby Hodgkiss almost getting in on the act but choosing to unselfishly square it when he had the goal at his mercy after more good play from Immanuel. Toby stating that his knee went as he was approaching the keeper, although many believed it was more likely his ass had gone.
All in all, it was a good day's work from Immanuel and a performance more like we had come to expect from them. It was also a welcome return for the match report to be about the match after Andy Parky was widely criticised for turning last week's report into something more befitting 'Wish You Were Here'.
