A depleted Oswaldtwistle Immanuel slipped to their second defeat in as many games as they were comfortably beaten 3-0 by a Sunnybank side that showed much more than their league position suggested.
Due to injuries and suspensions to key players and another being asked to be the best man at a christening, Andy Parky was forced to shuffle his pack and start players who he knew were carrying knocks prior to kick off. Despite this, Immanuel started reasonably well and linked some good passing moves together and Stephen Mooring in particular was looking energetic in a central midfield role.
His cameo was to be a short one though. After 20 minutes the curse of the Moorings struck again and his hamstring went. His game was over and once again Andy Parky was left rueing the shortness of that family's thigh muscles.
From then on Immanuel looked lethargic and things were made worse when the groin injury that Tony Brereton had brought into the game flared up again. With no remaining substitutes, Brereton was to carry on but there wasn't likely to be any explosions of pace from him.
It remained 0-0 until half time but there was little Parky could do to change things for his side that were walking wounded to say the least.
They were in even more trouble early in the first half when John Spencer's strapped up ankle caused him to snatch at a chance when one on one with the keeper. Another man unable to run. He would carry on valiantly for his side but it was hard to deny that now Immanuel were effectively 9 against 11.
That soon became 9 against 12 when the referee missed a blatant body check on Daniel Riding in the build up to Sunnybank taking the lead with a great strike from distance. A great finish it was but how the referee had missed the infringement was beyond belief and the last thing Immanuel needed.
The promotion chasing Immanuel battled to get an equalizer but struggled to create and their tiredness showed as they conceded 2 more late goals to give Sunnybank a flattering 3-0 victory.
Stanley Ultras slender victory over Hyndburn Youth meant that Immanuel'stitle challenge was now over but promotion is still in their hands and they will be pushing hard for that.
The mood in the Immanuel dressing room after full time was understandably desolate but Parky urged them to be realistic. The season that Immanuel are having has already exceeded expectations and as long as they learn from games like this they will carry on moving forward. A defeat is unfortunate, a defeat you don't learn from is unforgivable.
After leaving this match, Parky went to watch Liverpool against Blackburn Rovers in their 0-0 F.A. Cup draw and what that game showed us is that Blackburn are not a small club because they were happy with a draw and Liverpool are not a small club because they couldn't beat a side from a lower division. Blackburn are known for having almost 150 years of history including league and cup titles and Liverpool are known for having one of the successfull records in English and European football. Our perceptions of players and teams are not based on one match and this applies to Immanuel. They may not have a 100 years of history but what they do have has been successful and one game is not enough to change what they have achieved in the games prior to this.
Oswaldtwistle Immanuel will no doubt be back fighting to put things right in their remaining games and I personally would not like to be in Gastec Celtic's shoes next week.
